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 78th 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 2025 saw the 73rd GYSMA Festival of Carols (yes, over 73 years of performance opportunity) at the Minster, Great Yarmouth, with plenty of space, great acoustics and especially price maintained tickets (at this difficult time for so many). There was an amazing crowd each night. Again, many people were amazed and pleased by the venue and how the evening went. Congratulations to all involved. (See Gallery for photos).

Sounds4Christmas (for Ks1) took place in the same week, also at the Minster, again with a very full house. Feedback on the event was very positive, with parents thoroughly enjoying their children performing, great sound.

GYSMOKeys (Keyboard Orchestra) meets monthly, in ever larger numbers, at St Andrew’s Annexe, Gorleston. Their Christmas concert 2025 was a great success and showcased their wonderful talents. (See GYSMOKeys page for videos and photos). All are welcome to join the Orchestra – see their page for details. Next concert on Saturday 4th July (see Events).

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

GYSMA has had several events in 2025, returning enthusiastically to inspire live musical performances by children in the Great Yarmouth area.

In Summer 2025, we held combined Infant/Ks2/3/4 ‘Summer Celebration’ concerts in the Minster with a surprise arrangement as the joint finale song. All of our concerts are enjoyed by large audiences. Details for this year are on the Events page.
See Events page for dates and information.

Our GYSMA Singing Days 2026, including activities, exercises and songs, are being led brilliantly by Zoe Ramsden at individual schools – a super achievement and great fun!