On Tuesday 22nd June, several Norwich School music scholars were invited to play a lunchtime recital on a new piano that has been purchased for the atrium at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The piano has been made possible through donations from across Norfolk, including the school, and will be free to use for staff, patients and visitors to the hospital to help boost morale and wellbeing. Toby Hunt (L6), Ellice Chen (M5), Sephie Andrews (U5) and Amelia Polansky (U5) all played pieces from their repertoire for everyone relaxing or just passing through the hospital's atrium. Toby has written about the recital here:

"On Tuesday lunchtime, myself and three other pianists travelled to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to entertain the busy staff there. Having recently acquired a new grand piano, we were able to lift the lid and fill the East Atrium with music for an hour. We received a warm welcome from the nurses and doctors on their lunch breaks. Between us, we played a varied programme, from two Scarlatti sonatas to Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm”, which one doctor requested that Amelia play twice! 

Not only was this short recital both great fun and a brilliant way to support the superb work of the NHS in Norfolk, but it was also a great way to prepare us for other performances, exams and diplomas. Between performances, it was fascinating for us all to learn about the advances in early diagnosis and the development of robotic surgery in the hospital from one of the surgeons, who was a keen pianist, to such an extent that he sometimes now plays the piano before operations! 

We are very grateful that the NNUH invited us to play, and we very much hope to be able to return to the hospital next term to play once again; perhaps a carol-themed performance may be in order nearer Christmas...?!"