Senior School

The ‘Making Musicians’ Music Scholars’ Programme at Norwich School is well established and a jewel in the school’s crown. Occasionally, external professionals are enticed to join us to give a breathtaking masterclass to provide real inspiration to young scholars. On 05 June 2026, we had just such a concert given by Hannah Watson Emmrich, local musician and amazingly talented pianist. She guided a very supportive audience through her new album Notes from the Undergrowth at a concert held in the glorious school Chapel. This album of piano music was being launched at the event. A very intelligently choreographed programme commenced with piano works evoking daybreak and idyllic woodland scenes, followed by an exploration of some of the flora and fauna lurking in the under-canopy, before moving into melancholic pieces reminiscent of sunset (such as nightingales) and finally the peace of nightfall (nocturnes, night moths etc). Alternating astonishing technical excellence and powerful storytelling, Hannah evoked the myriad sounds and sensations of woodland in her performance. Included in her repertoire were three newly commissioned pieces and the audience included Joshua Borin who had composed one of the works called Crex (conjuring up the creepy world of slime mould in music - yes, really!) Our Music Scholars were in attendance and learned much from Hannah’s keyboard mastery and from her achingly beautiful programme of music. We all wish the album a positive reception. See: Notes from the undergrowth | Hannah Watson Emmrich . Heartfelt thanks go to Hannah for such an accomplished performance and to our very appreciative audience who left the Chapel enthralled.