Young musicians re-live Mozart with a classical week-end in North Norfolk

Date published: 2nd March 2020

On Friday 28 February, over 275 children from 8 local schools attended open rehearsals at the Auden Theatre in Holt.

The children, aged between 7 and 12 were invited to hear members of the London Mozart Players performing pieces in rehearsal, ahead of their public performance later that evening. Amongst the programme was Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 performed by horn player Ben Goldscheider, who was the winner of Brass Section of the BBC Young Musician of the Year winner 2016, when he was 18 years old.

Saturday (29th) saw over 80 young brass, strings and woodwind musicians taking in a free workshop to perform as an orchestra. For the workshop, specialist music tutor Helen Stowell of the Norfolk Music Service specially arranged a range of pieces from Mozart’s Horn Concerto to Havana, by Camilla Cabello. For many of these young musicians, this was their very first ensemble performance and a unique moment to play great orchestral pieces with other musicians.

The musical weekend was organised with opportunities for young local musicians to learn from the skills and experiences of the professional players; professional orchestras have had a big part to play in supporting the learning and progression of the young future-performers.

Cllr. Virginia Gay, Portfolio holder for Culture and Wellbeing said: “These concerts are a wonderful occasion for music making among young musicians. NNDC is delighted to help in bringing them together with an outstanding ensemble like the London Mozart Players”

One parent said: “The time spent with the London Mozart Players on Friday and Saturday was inspiring and motivating for my daughter.”

Another parent said: “It was really lovely to come to the concert on Friday. My daughter was so impressed with the musicians; at one point she turned and looked at me and just mouthed the word 'wow'! I'm hoping she will be more inspired to practise.”

These events and opportunities are supported in partnership with the Norfolk Music Hub, Orchestras Live and North Norfolk District Council.

Established ten years ago, the partnership has seen a range of world class orchestras bringing the music of Mozart, Shostakovich, Mendelssohn and many more to rural venues around North Norfolk.

London Mozart Players was founded in 1949 by Harry Blech to delight audiences with the works of Mozart and Haydn.

Photo credit: Joanna Millington Photography