In the words of the legendary author Victor Hugo "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” Thus thought a large and appreciative audience at Norwich School’s Making Musicians Summer Showcase on 5 July 2022 in the school’s Chapel, as part of our Gather22 programme. 

Making Musicians is an exciting programme for developing the very best musical talent at Norwich School and beyond. Singers, instrumentalists and composers both from within the school and the wider community participate in an annual series of workshops, lectures, visits, masterclasses and recitals designed specifically to nurture young musicians.

The 2022 Summer Showcase was a much-anticipated musical treat, highlighting the breadth and depth of talent currently within the school community.

Following an intriguing historical introduction to the medieval Chapel given by Development Director, Jonathan Pearson, a selection of the school’s leading classical musicians delivered a rich and varied programme of predominantly chamber music from composers as varied as Dvořák, Gershwin and Mendelssohn. 

A pastoral work given by the gifted L6 wind quintet was followed by the Bassaxonette wind quartet, the Almary string quartet and the monochrome L5 Piano Trio. Ensemble works were performed by the Almary and Cavell String Ensemble and by the chorus of performers. Two additional highlights interspersed the Programme: a performance given by a string quartet under Mrs Speca of an original composition from Eleanor McGuire (M5S) with her elegiac reflections on the Ukraine conflict which is the winner of this year’s Drake Prize for Composition and a lively flute duet performed by Graduate Music Assistant Miss Obee and current Head of School Millie Clark (both former Bernard Burrell Prize winners, in 2017 and 2020 respectively) which was undoubtedly a musical partnership to savour.

Over a glass of fizz and canapés afterwards, the audience were generous in their plaudits for the performers and their Norwich School Music Dept inspirations on the night: Mrs Speca (Head of the Making Musicians Programme), Mrs Platten, Mr Stamp and Mrs McLanaghan.

The Making Musicians programme resumes with monthly recitals in the Cathedral next term.