The London Mozart Players (LMP) is a chamber ensemble founded in 1949 and is the resident orchestra at Fairfields Hall in Croydon. The players are pioneers of orchestral outreach work and have enjoyed a host of relationships with schools across the UK, inspiring the next generation of musicians.
On 9th March 2022, the Norwich School Music Department is delighted to be welcoming members of the LMP to play alongside our senior orchestra, together with singers from both Chapel Choir and the Norwich School Choral Society. As in previous years, we have invited pupils from other local schools to join our musicians for this wonderful opportunity.
Our collaboration over the past few years has been an inspiration for all generations. Caitlin Obee, who left Norwich School in 2018 to study Music at Cambridge, talks about her experience of playing with the LMP.
'In 2018, my Upper 6th year at Norwich School, I was selected to perform a concerto with the London Mozart Players as part of the joint concert with the Choral Society. I chose the Chaminade Concertino which I had played for the school's Bernard Burrell Memorial Prize the previous year. Some of the LMP string section came to school for a workshop day which allowed me to get a feel of the piece with the orchestral accompaniment. They offered some great tips and reassured me for my first ever concerto with orchestra. It was amazing to perform with such a renowned ensemble at such a young age and the packed audience of St. Andrews Hall certainly made it a memorable evening. This experience set me up for a performance career throughout my subsequent time at Cambridge University. Now back in Norwich as a member of school staff, it is equally rewarding to see further generations of talented pupils receive this incredible opportunity year on year, as well as the friendly and expert coaching of the London Mozart Players.'
Susan Boone is a key member of the Norwich School Choral Society, who meet weekly in Michaelmas and Lent terms to rehearse for an annual concert of choral music.
‘I have been a member of the Choral Society for some years! I joined in 1991 when my son Paul commenced senior school. I was elected to the committee in the same year. I am proud to say I have been part of every concert since then. For our 2022 concert we will be performing Bach’s Magnificat and Schubert’s Mass in G and we go from strength to strength! There is something very special about performing as a choir. It is a known fact that singing releases feel good endorphins which is a shared experience for the orchestra and the audience too.
We are now in the fourth year of our partnership with the internationally renowned chamber orchestra, London Mozart Players. Performing with the LMP is an experience like no other. We feel inspired to raise our performance to a higher level. The LMP also supports us in nurturing talented young instrumentalists from local schools as well as Norwich School by holding workshops prior to the concert. They have the opportunity to perform alongside the LMP in the concert. It is very rewarding for the choir to know that we play our part inspiring future generations of talented musicians.’
Norwich School is very pleased to acknowledge the support of our sponsors for this inspirational project in 2022. Their contribution assists us with providing a day long workshop in February for young musicians, plus the collaboration of the LMP at our concert on Wednesday 9th March at St Andrew’s Hall.
The Ben Burgess Group
Birketts Solicitors
Dardan Security
Mills and Reeve Solicitors
Savills Estate Agents
Thanks also for their support to Kip Bertram, Felix Peckitt, The Norfolk Club and The Norfolk and Norwich Law Society.
