The Arts

On Saturday 9 May, Norwich School choir members will be performing at St Nicholas Chapel with Music in the Burnhams. This concert is a celebration of Sir Karl Jenkins - one of the most performed choral composers in the world. He has composed music for The King, Bryn Terfel, Dame Evelyn Glennie and London Symphony Orchestra. His Mass 'The Armed Man' has topped Classic FM's Hall of Fame again this year and his albums have sold in the millions. He is signed to Decca Records and in 2024 Decca bestowed upon him the unprecedented distinction of a Lifetime deal, the first time the label has made such a commitment to any artist. He was awarded a Knighthood for services to music in the Queen's birthday honours. The concert will feature lots of his most famous works including the Cantata Memoria which Norwich Lower School Chamber Choir and Norwich School Junior Choir are involved with. We are the only school that have been asked to do this which is a huge honour. Sir Karl Jenkins himself will be in the audience for this very special concert featuring members of the Kings Lynn Festival Chorus and the British Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. The opportunity to perform his work is a great privilege given his standing within the classical genre and to have him at the concert in person is a huge deal. Click here to book now!

On Thursday 30 April, the Upper 3 Informal Concert in the Lower School Hall felt really special, as we celebrated the pupils’ final Informal Concert together. There was a lovely sense of reflection, confidence and quiet pride throughout the evening. The programme included a great mix of styles and instruments, giving each performer a chance to shine in their own way. The concert opened with a poised and elegant performance of Bourrée on the cello by GF Handel, setting the tone beautifully. Things then picked up with a lively and energetic drum performance of Uptown Funk , which brought great rhythm and a real sense of fun. The mood softened again with a thoughtful and expressive violin performance of Hallelujah , played with sensitivity and a clear sense of line. On guitar, Arctic Monkeys Do I Wanna Know? was performed with a cool confident style, really capturing the feel of the original. The violin returned with Serenade by Schubert, played with warmth and a lovely tone. The piano piece Spanish Guitar added a playful, rhythmic contrast, showing both agility and character, before a bold trumpet performance of He’s a Pirate brought a burst of cinematic excitement. The concert ended with two memorable performances: a moving vocal rendition of I Dreamed a Dream , full of expression and control, followed by Für Elise on piano, where the contrasts and dynamics were handled with care and confidence. Overall, the evening was not just about performance, but about how far these pupils have come in their musical development. Each contribution felt personal and meaningful, coming together to create a memorable final concert. It marked the end of an important chapter but also showed that they are more than ready for what comes next. Head of Music Mr Vine summed it up perfectly: “I am very proud of the commitment and professionalism of our young performers. It has been a pleasure to watch you grow as musicians and you have done so much to enrich the Lower School with your playing. Thank you all!”