Over 100 people packed into B2 Brickmakers on Thursday 5th February to hear Lana Kiddell perform in a first for Making Musicians. Caroline Speca, Head of Making Musicians, commented: “Our usual music scholar recitals take place in the Cathedral or School Chapel, but Lana was keen to break the mould and asked if she could perform in a different venue to better reflect her musical style. I was delighted to support her in this and am incredibly proud of how she organised the entire event herself. Hearing her sing while playing the drums at the same time was truly impressive. Well done, Lana, on all you have achieved in the Sixth Form.” Lana said: “My first solo gig was a real success, and I was truly overwhelmed by all the support I received. I thoroughly enjoyed the preparation process and am so grateful to everyone who supported me along the way. This is an experience I will always cherish as part of my growing music career.”

On Thursday 29 January, as part of the Making Musicians programme, Francis Goodhand visited Norwich School to work with music and drama pupils. Each pupil brought a song to the workshop, which Mr Goodhand explored in detail with them. The session focused on stagecraft, storytelling, and the meaning behind the lyrics, highlighting how vital words are in shaping a song’s impact on an audience. Pupils were given the opportunity to perform and receive individual feedback, encouraging them to think more deeply about character, expression, and musical interpretation. Lana Kiddell U6 said: “The workshop was a great way to learn from an industry professional and to delve into the musical and lyrical language of the song I chose.” Annabelle Hitchings L4 commented: “I really enjoyed the musical theatre workshop with Francis Goodhand. I loved having the chance to perform ‘The Wizard and I’, and the feedback I received was so helpful. Francis suggested that I put more emphasis on the spoken parts of the song, which made a big difference to how I told the story. His advice about when to use vibrato towards the end was also useful, and he was very positive about my performance.” Caroline Speca, Head of Making Musicians, commented: “I was delighted by how readily the pupils were able to implement the tips Francis offered them; their adaptability was very impressive. The variety of songs was incredibly wide-ranging, and I very much look forward to welcoming Francis again in April to work with another cohort of talented pupils.”