Musicians from WNAT member schools were well represented, when Springwood High School in King’s Lynn hosted this year’s Music for Youth Festival.

“Every year we organise the Regional Festival for the Music for Youth organisation,” said our Head of Music, Robin Norman. “Each group is assigned a ten-minute slot and performs three pieces. There was everything from Hamilton through to How to Train Your Dragon, and many more styles.”

Springwood entered five musical groups, with the Concert Band, Cantabene, Kingsmen, Year 7 Choir, and The Gliders all taking part in the event, making a total of around 150 students from across Years 7 to 13.

Other participating Trust schools included Clenchwarton Primary, Heacham Junior, Senttisham Primary, Walpole Cross Keys Primary, West Lynn Primary, and St Clement’s High School, while there was also a performance from pupils from the Windmill Federation.

“Music for Youth as a whole goes back as far as the 1980s, but the Regional Festival at Springwood has been taking place since circa 1995,” continued Mr Norman, who helped organise the event, as well as directing some of the Springwood groups.

“Entries are open to all schools and youth music groups from across the region. In total on the day, there were more than 20 different groups that took part from different schools. Anyone can enter through the Music for Youth programme.”

Regional winners will progress to the National Music for Youth Festival, which is due to take place in Birmingham in July.

“We are currently awaiting the outcome of the Regional Festival,” added Mr Norman. “We are keeping our fingers crossed that one of our groups will be invited, as we have a rich history of being asked to represent East Anglia over the years.

“Personally, I feel events such as this are really important. Not only does it give important performance opportunities to the young people, from which they receive invaluable feedback on how to improve, but it also gives an opportunity for them to hear other young people perform throughout the day – a truly inspirational activity.”

Music lovers were in for a treat, when the West Norfolk Wind Orchestra gave a performance which included the classic ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky.

It was last but very definitely not least, when talented young musicians from Springwood High School joined others in an impressive performance that brought the Spring Series of the King’s Lynn Festival to a close.

There was a bird’s-eye view for our students, after a competition gave them the opportunity to create and fly their own drones.

It was around the world in 21 schools, when our dancers joined others from across the region for the West Norfolk School Sport Partnership (WNSSP) Dance Festival.

Opening the sold-out show at the Corn Exchange were performers from Springwood High School, who rose to the challenge of this year’s ‘Different Countries’ theme. The ten students from Years 8 to 12 danced to a variety of music, which included ‘Waka Waka’ by Shakira, ‘Let's Get Loud’ by Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin’s ‘Maria’, and ‘Mambo No.5’ by Lou Bega.  

“It’s an honour to be invited to perform at this event,” said Dawn Paulo, Head of Dance at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. “It allows our dancers the opportunity to come together to perform in a professional venue, and to interact and support younger students in West Norfolk.

“It is lovely to see our Springwood students enjoying themselves on stage, but it’s also great to see our primary schools getting a chance to perform too.”

Among the 20 primary schools participating were fellow WNAT members Clenchwarton, West Lynn, and Walpole Cross Keys primaries, and Heacham Infant School.

Twenty-seven Year 3 pupils from Clenchwarton performed a routine to ‘Cheers to Life’, which had been choreographed by Dance Teacher Kate Whyborn.

“This was our third year taking part,” said Class Teacher Sophie Tarsey.

“It is a great opportunity for children to step outside their comfort zones and do something they have probably never experienced before.

“Many children expressed how much they enjoyed it and wanted to do it again, when they were really nervous about it at the start of the year.

“I hope it encourages more children to find opportunities for dance outside school, as well as inspiring other children in school.”

The Walpole Cross Keys dancers drew inspiration from America for their routine. The 16 pupils from Years 2 and 3 at the school performed to a medley which featured ‘Party in the USA’, ‘Hey Mickey’, ‘Everybody’s Surfing’, and ‘Achy Breaky Heart’.

“Events like this are vitally important, as the children get to take part in an activity and perform on stage,” said Class Teacher Carol Jones. “It shows them resilience through learning the routine, encouragement from other class members and adults.”

The Dance Festival takes place twice-yearly, each March and June.

“It’s definitely a highlight of the year, as it brings so many schools together to perform and celebrate one another’s work,” added Ms Paulo.

“Springwood will be performing once more at the next WNSSP Dance Festival in June. The theme for this event will be ‘Popstars’.”