The aim of the Great Yarmouth Schools’ Music Association (GYSMA), a registered charity, is to enable all local schools to join together, and for pupils to share in the enjoyment and experience of live music-making. GYSMA, which started at Great Yarmouth Town Hall in 1948, is in its 76th year and is still committed to providing opportunities for the pupils of Great Yarmouth to experience playing, singing and performing live music together.

Our biggest event of each year is our Festival of Carols. Christmas 2023 saw the 71st GYSMA Festival of Carols at the Drill Hall, Great Yarmouth, with plenty of space, great acoustics, good views of the children performing and specially reduced tickets (at this difficult time for so many). Again many people were amazed and pleased by the venue and how the evening went. Congratulations to all involved. (See Gallery for photos). Plans are well underway for the 72^nd Festival of Carols with rehearsal dates and music sorted.  Our AGM on September 18^th launches the music to the schools – final opportunity for any other schools to get involved.

Sounds4Christmas (for Ks1) took place in the same week, also at the Drill Hall. Feedback on the event was positive, with parents easily able to see their children performing, great sound and culminating in a visit from Father Christmas, who presented the schools with certificates for taking part.  Sounds4Christmas 24 is on December 3^rd.

GYSMOKeys (Keyboard Orchestra) meets monthly, in ever larger numbers, at St Andrew’s Annexe, Gorleston.   Their summer concert was a great success and showcased their wonderful talents.  (See GYSMOKeys page for videos and photos).

Class in Action provides class instruments courtesy of GYSMA – please see individual heading within website for more details.

GYSMA has had several events in 2023, returning enthusiastically to inspire live musical performances by children in the Great Yarmouth area.

In the summer 24, we held combined Infant/Ks2/3/4 ‘Summer Celebration’ concerts in the Minster with an arrangement of Take That’s ‘Never Forget’ as the joint finale song.   All of our concerts are enjoyed by large audiences.

See Events page for dates and information.

Our GYSMA Ks1 Singing Days 2024 were led brilliantly by composer Lin Marsh (linmarshmusic.co.uk) within many different schools. A fantastic time for lots of children from many schools over 2 days  – a super achievement and great fun!