Church brings musical celebration to South Norfolk
 By Sandie Shirley
A vibrant musical spectacular is set to take Wymondham by storm when the town’s Hope Community Church hosts a unique cross-cultural celebration on Saturday November 14.
An 8-strong choir that has played to packed audiences across the UK will join forces with a team of aspiring youngsters from Barnham Broom Primary School to offer a unique showcase of rhythm and harmony at Wymondham High School.
The diverse performances will include traditional and contemporary gospel and the sounds of the African drum. Mill Lane Gospel Choir (above) and the Africa Motto Drumming Group (right) will be taking part in the bumper performance between 7pm to 9.30pm.
Twenty youngsters, aged 10 and 11, will give a high energy performance of dance, singing and drumming. The pupils, taught by Anna Mudeka from Zimbabwe - a noted expert in her field - have gained a new freedom and joy since lessons began a year ago and to date they have raised over £700 and appeared at a two-day concert at this year’s Royal Norfolk Show.
It is a success story that began when Head teacher, Keith Wright accessed a Widening Opportunities’ musical grant from Norfolk County Council to bring a new learning experience to the classroom. It has had far-reaching results.
Children are helping to pass on their skills to audiences and younger children while a new heightened enthusiasm has spilled over into other lessons, explains Mr Wright.
Class teacher and Hope Church member, Elisabeth Louis, has helped forge a pathway for the youngsters’ sixth public appearance when they share the limelight with the Mill Lane Gospel Choir from Kent.
The choir, which has grown from 30 members to over 100 during the last seven years, will be returning to Wymondham after their sell-out concert last year.
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