Springwood guitarist inspires students with rousing ode to music
A 12-year-old Lynn musician inspired his school community with a rousing speech praising music as civilisation's greatest achievement.
Springwood High School student Merry Enters recorded his speech as part of the Insight Discover programme, run by Cambridge University.
“I chose music as my topic as it’s something I feel so passionate about, and such a big part of my life," said year eight pupil, Merry.
“I’ve played the guitar for three or four years, and have dabbled in drums a bit as well. My dad also plays guitar and as a family, we go to festivals together."
Year eight and nine pupils were set the challenge of filming themselves reading a speech they wrote about what they consider to be civilisation's greatest achievement.
He added: “Music, both playing it and listening to it, has played a massive role during lockdown, and I try to make sure I have a different soundtrack to every day.
"I like all kinds of music from jazz to nu-metal, and it’s really given me somewhere to escape to, away from the madness around us at the moment.
"In the future, I’d love to work in the music industry in some way, maybe as a musician or in production.”
Music is something that plays a significant role in the curriculum at Springwood, part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, and Merry said being cut off from the direct involvement of music lessons was one of the hardest things about not being in school.
“Music teaching at my school is wonderful, I really like the teacher and feel that I get a lot out of the lessons, so being at home and not being able to interact properly has been very frustrating,” he said.
Merry’s mum Clare is assistant headteacher at the school. She said: “I am so proud of Merry for producing this speech and delivering it with such confidence and commitment. I feel like I learnt even more about him and had a glimpse of the young adult he may become.
“I was also really impressed because he had so many ideas at the start but then the hard yards he went through to get to the point of a finished speech was amazing.”
Springwood’s director of music Peter Strudwick said: “We encourage as many students as possible to get involved in music. The difference that engaging with music can make to a student’s overall academic performance is proved to be considerable and the social benefits in normal circumstances are immeasurable.
“The lockdown has highlighted how important communal involvement in music is - singing with a choir or performing remotely with a school ensemble keeps things going but is no substitute for live ensemble performances and the joy we get from school concerts."
