There was strength in numbers, when our young musicians joined others at Springwood High School to practise and play in a workshop which culminated in a music festival performance.

Organised by the West Norfolk Academies Trust, the event brought together more than 180 Year 3 to 6 children from the feeder primaries for the Trust’s four high schools, which include Marshland in West Walton, St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement, Smithdon in Hunstanton, and Springwood in Lynn.

Springwood hosted the workshop on Monday 6 July, as well as the four-day WNAT Community Music Festival, which kicked off on the same evening. Springwood students were also on hand to support the younger pupils.

Trust Peripatetic Music Lead Benjamin Howell organised the event and oversaw the children’s musical collaboration.

“The event featured two large ensembles: a String Orchestra and a Wind Band,” he explained. “The repertoire was carefully selected to appeal to students of all ages and abilities, running from ‘Hotel California’ and music inspired by Roblox, through to Vivaldi’s ‘Spring’. The Wind Band also performed pieces including ‘Supercharged’ and ‘Rising Up’.

“The workshop took place throughout the afternoon and concluded with an outdoor performance as part of WNAT Community Music Festival Week, where families, staff, and members of the local community were able to join us to celebrate the students’ achievements.”

Among the Trust primary schools taking part were Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

Mr Howell continued: “Events of this scale take place just once each academic year and provide a fantastic opportunity for students from across the Trust to rehearse and perform together.

“The workshop also built on the success of our recent Play Day held earlier this year, while supporting the wider aims of the Musical Instrument Tuition Initiative (MITI).

“Throughout the year, students work towards Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards, with events such as this providing a rewarding goal and an opportunity to showcase the progress they have made.”