Children from Thurston, Great Barton, Rattlesden and Woolpit primary schools join together for music day with Thurston Community College and Sixth Form

Children from four primary schools joined together for a special music day last week.

Pupils from Thurston, Great Barton, Rattlesden and Woolpit – all part of the Thedwastre Education Trust – were mentored by students from Thurston Community College (TCC) and sixth form on Monday.

A series of workshops took place at the village primary schools during the day in preparation for a concert at the college that evening.

Among the final pieces in the event were John Williams’ Star Wars theme music and Imperial March.

Charlotte Gould, music lead at Thurston Academy, said: “The school was filled with music – every spare space was packed with children practising their parts for the ensemble or playing their part in the workshops. The joy was tangible.

“While the ensemble group were busy preparing the other children were being fully immersed in musical experiences, with workshops for song writing, musical texture and boomwhackers.”

For many of the children at the workshops it was their first experience of playing an instrument.

Members of the Bury St Edmunds band Fuze – all former TCC students – were involved in the day, with lead singer Harvey composing the event’s finale song.

Mrs Gould said: “In the afternoon we all walked to the college and each school group got to do a technical run-through of the piece of music they had prepared in advance.

“All their hard work definitely paid off. The lights came on and they played with gusto and delight.

“The final piece, ‘Together’, was a song composed specially for the event by Harvey, its lyrics talking about community and supporting each other. The children sang with feeling and pride – and proud they should all be.”