A COLCHESTER school hosted an amazing festival featuring a large variety of different professional and musical acts - much to the delight of tiny gig-goers.

Pupils at Lexden Primary School, in Trafalgar Road, enjoyed an annual music festival, which was curated by the school’s music co-ordinator Joanne Platten.

The event started with a “special surprise” from a piper from the Colchester Pipes Band which got the festival off to a “great kick start”.

The morning included a show from opera singer, Samantha Hay, who sang songs from Matilda!, before Emily Conway taught the children routines from theatre.

Nick and Julie-Anne White performed a “hands-on musical zoo session” and Layil Barr and Andres Garcia delivered enjoyable acts which the youngsters loved.

Nick said: “It was great to demonstrate the guitar and woodwind instruments that the students could learn at the school.

“Each class had a different preference and we really enjoyed answering all their questions about learning to play music.”

The students were also delighted to see the “firm favourite ” Hassan Lofti, who played the African drums, and Mersea group the Simply Strummers also entertained.

Victoria Gamble said: “Making any kind of music is a magical thing and the ukulele is a joyous instrument to do this with.

“Combined with a big group and crowd of school children, singing and signing created pure magical joy for all involved.”

During lunchtime, Ben Savoury, an off-duty police officer, volunteered his time to surprise the children with a fun DJ set.

School staff also wowed the children, with the school’s cleaner sharing her musical talent in country and western singing with a performance of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5.

The school choir, dance club and recorder club also took to the stage, as well a flute-playing act by the deputy head teacher, Zoe Emson-Sewell.
During the festival, Rev. Matt Simpkins held a songwriting workshop with his own children before a afterschool party with musical entertainment from Nat and Les.

The bash, which was attended by parents, featured an ice cream van and refreshments which helped raise funds for the school.

Alex Candler, the headteacher of Lexden Primary, said: “The music festival is the highlight of the year.

“By introducing children to a range of instruments and performances that they may not have experienced before we hope to promote a lifelong love of music and the arts.”