PAST PROJECTS & EVENTS
Orwell Connection Choir Concert
June 2026
The Orwell Connection Choir in Felixstowe kindly supported SMART with their Summer Concert in June. They entertained the audience with a varied programme from the Beatles to the musical Carousel, and raised an amazing £700 for SMART! We are grateful to everyone at the choir for their support for SMART.
May 2026
The SMART Sinfonia returned to the stage for an energising Sunday afternoon concert at Woodbridge Community Hall in May 2026. Playing to a packed house, our talented ensemble of Suffolk Youth Music alumni and local supporters delivered a vibrant programme, conducted by Ian McCrae.
Oliver Pigram joined with the orchestra to delight the audience with his rendition of Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1, and the concert also included Rossini's Overture to The Barber of Seville, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5.
It was a fun weekend of music and reconnection for everyone involved, kicking off with a social for SMART members on Saturday evening. The concert raised over £1,900 for SMART, directly funding more opportunities for young people across Suffolk to engage in music and arts activities. We are grateful to everyone who performed, attended, volunteered, and contributed to making the weekend an overwhelming success.
Music at Rushmere Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
March 2026
Music at Rushmere kindly offered to raise funds for SMART with their Spring Sunday Afternoon Concert Series. Every Sunday in March, SMART trustees and supporters joined the audiences to enjoy music from a wide range of local ensembles, and to spread the word about SMART.
The concerts raised an incredible £1,800 for SMART, enabling us to support even more young artists in Suffolk. Thank you to everyone involved!
Suffolk County Council Chairman's Reception
March 2026
We were privileged to be invited to promote SMART at a reception hosted by the Chairman of Suffolk County Council, Jessica Fleming. Throughout the evening, guests were entertained with music provided by SMART grant recipients, SMART members and SMART trustees. The Chairman kindly arranged a raffle, with the proceeds in aid of SMART.
Suffolk County Council Meeting
October 2025
The Chairman of Suffolk County Council, Jessica Fleming, chose SMART as one of her charities of the year, and invited us to share SMART's work at a Suffolk County Council meeting.
Our Co-Chair, Becci Reidy, shared with 75 councillors how SMART provides funding so Suffolk's young people can access arts opportunities to enrich their lives, and she talked about the impact SMART's funding has had on the 96 grant recipients and 5 scholars SMART has supported since 2018. She invited the Councillors to choose one small action they could take to help SMART - whether spreading the word, fundraising, getting involved, or finding out more.
Watch Becci here (clip is from 9.10 - 19.26):
First Light Festival, Lowestoft
In June 2025, SMART returned to First Light Festival, performing on the Kensington Gardens Stage. On another beautifully sunny day, SMART members played as a string quartet and a wind duet, to entertain the crowds with performances that went out live on Suffolk Sound radio.
Christmas Market & Winter Lights
December 2024
In December 2024, members played together in ensembles at the Stonham Barns Christmas Market, and the Helmingham Hall Illuminated Garden Trail, entertaining attendees with a festive selection of carols and Christmas songs. Performers enjoyed free entry to the Illuminated Garden Trail after the performance at Helmingham Hall, and the opportunity to socialise with other members.
First Light Festival, Lowestoft
In June 2024, 7 members of SMART performed on the Kensington Gardens Stage at First Light Festival on Lowestoft's South Beach. Repertoire ranged from Britten to The Beatles to Brahms and from Ed Sheeran to ELO!
During "Lockdown 3", our founding trustee Wendy ran 28km per week in the 28 days of February, raising £680 for SMART.
Advent Calendar of Christmas Carols & Songs
Every day during Advent, SMART released recordings made by SMART members and supporters playing and singing their favourite Christmas carols and songs.
In the summer of 2020, Rosie Taylor was due to cycle 100 miles as part of Ride London. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was cancelled. Instead, Rosie cycled 437 miles around her local area, raising £650 for SMART!
70 members of SMART formed "SMART Sinfonia" to play an eclectic set on the Waterfont Stage at 11am on Sunday 21st July 2019.
Philip Shaw Valedictory Concert
Philip Shaw, Head of Suffolk's County Music, retired in December 2017 after 31 years of dedicated service to the music education of young people in Suffolk.
74 past members of Suffolk Youth Music ensembles came together to perform in a Valedictory Concert to mark Philip's retirement. From this event, SMART was formed.
