This project provided an opportunity for teams of young people from local schools and colleges to research the stories of people from Great Yarmouth who experienced the First World War and interpret these stories in creative ways as part of a programme of commemoration. The young people developed a range of skills and gained experience by working in teams on the following activities:

  • Carrying out research in local archives.
  • Creating touring and online exhibitions.
  • Working with a composer to create an original piece of orchestral music.
  • Playing in a commemorative concert alongside professional musicians from the BBC Concert Orchestra.
  • Singing in a choir during the concert.
  • Working with a writer to create spoken word elements to intersperse and frame the music.
  • Working with an artist to create visual projections as a backdrop for the concert.
  • Working with BBC Voices to create a film about the project.
  • Being part of a steering group to help plan, promote and act as advocates for the project.

Requiem provided a unique opportunity for young people to actively engage with this important aspect of our national history by working this high profile project with highly skilled heritage and arts professionals. The project ran from June 2017 until May 2018 with the performance originally planned in Great Yarmouth in March 2018. Storm Eric had other ideas and the snow forced gargantuan rescheduling exercise and took place in June 2018.

The project was made possible by grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – Young Roots programme and the Norfolk Music Hub, as well as generous in kind support from the BBC Concert Orchestra. We were delighted to work in partnership with; Orchestras Live, BBC Concert Orchestra, Norfolk Music Hub, Orchestrate Youth Orchestra, BBC Voices, Writers Centre Norwich, Norfolk Records Office, Norfolk Libraries and Information Service, Historic England & Norfolk Museums Service.

This project is now completed. 

To see the performance click here.

Previous updates:

Requiem moves molto vivace – click here.

Musicians Hold Key – click here.

Uncovering forgotten stories – click here.

Last update – click here.