King’s Lynn Classical Music Rocks concert series creates new dawn for classical music writes Tabitha Kaye

Tabitha Kaye highlights the closure of King’s Lynn Music Society and the continuing work by Classical Music Rocks to carry on its legacy, making classical music accessible to a younger generation.

Tabitha writes: As a volunteer who has experienced a lack of exposure to classical music in education, the closing of KLMS at its AGM marks a sorrowful end of an era for the 130-year-old charity.

The committee were thanked warmly by members of the society for their efforts to keep the historical institution afloat.

Despite the pleasantries, it was apparent that KLMS had befallen the fate of similar institutions, with an ageing membership, little outreach to recruit young blood, resulting in a sad dissolution.

While the classical arts have been on a steady decline throughout my lifetime, this year has formed the crux of its devaluation.

Can anything be done?

Peter Barker is chair of CMR, the charity that broadens educational opportunities in classical music for West Norfolk children.

I met Peter in 2021 as theatre volunteers and our shared interests in local heritage soon led to a conversation about CMR.

The very fact that classical music had never really featured in my life made me ask myself why, and unable to source an answer

Thus my involvement in CMR’s vital mission began.

Through KLMS, Peter had recruited several musicians for CMR’s schools outreach programme, one being the incredibly talented flautist, Klio Blonz, now the charity’s creative director.

A new concert series will allow musicians, such as Klio, to continue their important work inspiring the next generation to appreciate and enjoy classical music.

The inaugural concert in St Nicholas’ Chapel on Friday (June 9), Journeys for Flute and Harp, features Klio and harpist Gabriella Dall’Olio, deliver an enchanting programme.

Visit www.cmrschools westnorfolk.com for further information.