Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube

Involving the Community

at JAM on the Marsh

For many years JAM has been proud to work, collaborate and celebrate Romney Marsh talent in dedicated community-led projects. This year three exceptional projects underline our commitment to boost creativity and connection within the local community. Together with our partners, London Mozart Players, the Romney Marsh Community Hub and Rebecca Lodge Birkebaek, we are proud to offer invaluable opportunities for the community to participate in and enjoy the arts.

JAM is looking for musicians from our community to be part of a new, free-to-participate Festival Orchestra, made up of amateur players and members of the London Mozart Players (LMP), which celebrates its 75th birthday this year.
JAM Festival Orchestra

FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Last year local amateur musicians and school children joined the London Mozart Players, the Canterbury Cathedral Choir as well as opera singers Rebecca Afonwy-Jones and Julian Close, actor Kudzanayi Chiwawa and conductor Michael Bawtree for the world premiere of Richard Peat’s The Sky Engine. The performance was a rousing success and following the remarkable feedback and compelling demand from the community, JAM is thrilled to launch the Festival Orchestra.

The Festival Orchestra invites local amateur players of all ages to perform alongside members of the London Mozart Players in an unforgettable JAM on the Marsh concert on 12 July 2024. From May, participants will meet with members of the London Mozart Players in free inspiring workshops, developing the skills required to play Vaughan Williams’ ever popular The Lark Ascending and Gershwin’s jazzy Rhapsody in Blue.

“Playing alongside professionals, being stretched and bringing everyone together has motivated me.”

Community player of 'The Sky Engine'

Musicians of Grade 7 and above, or with orchestral experience can register their interest here until 29 March.

JAM is thrilled to augment its singing programme by uniting the generations in its new Community Singing projects with free weekly singing workshops, led by former BBC Singer, Rebecca Lodge Birkebaek.
Rebecca Lodge Birkebaek

COMMUNITY SINGING

After many years of collaborating with local primary schools, JAM is thrilled to augment its singing programme by uniting the generations in its new Community Singing project. From April, children from New Romney & Brenzett Primary Schools and the over-50s Sunflower Singers will have weekly singing workshops, led by former BBC Singer, Rebecca Lodge Birkebaek. The children and Sunflower Singers will rehearse the vibrant songs of A Sporting Chance by Bob Chilcott, before coming together to perform this brilliant piece with the acclaimed brass quintet Onyx Brass on 9 July at JAM on the Marsh.

Enthusiastic singers aged 50+ are invited to join the Sunflower Singers at their weekly sessions at the Romney Marsh Community Hub. Please contact 01797 363888 to sing in the choir. 

A little JAM insight: In 2025, the Community Singers, the Festival Orchestra, Canterbury Cathedral Choir and professional singers will come together in a world premiere by Paul Mealor during JAM on the Marsh.

Painter John Ballard brings an exhibition of oil paintings portraying the water-breaks of Romney Marsh and Dymchurch beaches at JAM on the Marsh festival.
Art by John Ballard

ART with JOHN BALLARD

JAM aims to inspire everyone in Romney Marsh to participate in creative activities, and we are excited to collaborate with local painter John Ballard to provide free workshops for art enthusiasts over 50 years old.

Participants will not only get a unique insight into John’s process but learn new skills and boost their creativity. With his help and mentorship, the artists will create paintings of St Clement’s Church, Old Romney, to be displayed at the Romney Marsh Community Hub for everyone to enjoy.

Keen artists, please contact the Romney Marsh Community Hub to book one of 15 places.

We are thrilled to be able to bring the arts closer to the local community and are confident that these projects will create lasting memories and nourish creativity.