We are paying close attention to the updates from the Government, Department for Education, Arts Council England and Norfolk County Council regarding Coronavirus.

Any updates to our events and activities will be posted on this page.


20/03: Ensemble Tour – It is with regret that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the forthcoming tour to Italy. We feel that this is the only course of action we can take under the current unprecedented circumstances, owing to the fact that we are unsure as to when travel outside of the UK will return to normal. We have taken this incredibly tough decision in these extraordinary circumstances with the safety of our students and staff taking priority. The finance department has been informed and they will be issuing refunds in due course.

DfE Coronavirus helpline

18/03: Schools closure & Music Service activity – The Prime Minister has announced that schools will close on Friday until further notice. If you have questions about coronavirus in an education setting, you can contact the Department for Education helpline on 0800 046 8687.

Therefore, Norfolk Music Service has announced that all activity is ceasing in all educational settings with immediate effect. This will mean that until further notice, there will be no visits to schools from any Norfolk Music Service teachers or tutors as a direct result of Norfolk County Council guidance around the current COVID-19 situation. The Norwich Professional Development Centre will also be closed from tomorrow until further notice.

18/03: CPDs – Sadly our upcoming CPD events this term have been cancelled or postponed, as they are deemed non-essential gathering of people from across the county and the current guidance is that these activities should not go ahead. This includes:

  • Prepare for Ofsted Deep Dives with Charanga (Tues 31 March)

We hope to confirm new dates for training sessions in due course.

18/03: The Music Service office is now shut and our office-based staff are working from home as a precautionary measure. All calls are being redirected so if you need any guidance on our music services and activities in the current circumstances, please call 01603 303348.

17/03: Music Exams – Regrettably it has been announced that none of the scheduled music exams on either ABRSM or Trinity exam boards are going ahead. All candidates will be informed.

17/03: Firespinners – The impact of the Coronavirus has regrettably affected forthcoming Firespinners rehearsals. Our priority at this time needs to be in protecting both the students and teachers who come together on a Tuesday from various schools. We have made the difficult decision to cancel these rehearsals with immediate effect. Keep singing and we will be in touch with parents with information on when Firespinners will commence meeting again.

16/03: Advanced Charanga CPD – Unfortunately tomorrow’s training at Drayton Infant School has been postponed. This will reorganised for some point in the future when the situation has returned to normal.

16/03: Ensembles – The impact of the Coronavirus has regrettably affected forthcoming Norfolk Music Service Ensembles throughout the County. Our priority at this time needs to be in protecting both the students and teachers who come together at these groups from across the County. All Norfolk Music Service Ensembles have been cancelled until further notice. This includes any 1:1 lessons that would normally take place at CNS School on a Monday evening. The cancellation of ensembles comes in to effect from today with no meeting at CNS this evening. Thank you for all your hard work and fantastic playing over the last couple of weeks at the Norfolk County Music Festival, keep up the practice at home until we can meet again.

16/03: Music Exams – Presently, the examination boards are going ahead with music exams for the period Friday 20 March-Wednesday 1 April. Any further updates will be posted here.
*FURTHER UPDATE* ABRSM have decided to suspend all music exams in the UK and Ireland from Wednesday 18 March until further notice. This decision affects all Graded Music Exams, Diplomas, Choral Singing and Ensemble exams at all Public Venues and Private Visits. Trinity College exams will still be going ahead at this time.

14/03: MFY Regional Festival – Following the announcement today that 3 people have tested positive for Coronavirus in King’s Lynn, we have made the difficult decision to not attend the Music for Youth Regional Festival tomorrow with the Norfolk Schools’ Jazz Orchestra, which is due to take place at Springwood High School. All parents will be informed.

13/03: CASMA – Due to the current circumstances regarding the Coronavirus, we have decided to cancel these performances. We shall be in touch with all schools and ticket holders to arrange refunds. Thank you for your understanding.

13/03: Ensembles – Please be sure to check your emails on Monday before leaving to come to Ensembles for any updates. We will email as early as possible if Ensembles are cancelled.

Norfolk County Council Coronavirus poster update