Rebecca Scott-Smissen, Bob Smissen & Juliet Welchman

Viola player Robert Smissen, violinist Rebecca Scott-Smissen and cellist Juliet Welchman created a series of string trio-based concerts in St Botolph Culpho, Suffolk, each accompanied by open rehearsals and satellite performances in primary schools and other community settings.

The trio presented four concerts with CulphioMusic, an organisation which runs events at the Church just outside Woodbridge. Alongside this, the trio visited six primary schools across Suffolk, reaching hundreds of students with world-class performances in their school halls.

“The children were absolutely enthralled by the musicians, who were amazing, and they really enjoyed the performance. It was a wonderfully useful, informative and joyous visit and the children gained so much from it.” Teacher – Grundisburgh Primary School

Throughout their Marriner Project, the trio reached more widely across the community. Working in partnership with Orchestras Live the group also presented two concerts in Lowestoft’s Battery of Ideas (a former Tesco Metro reimagined as a vibrant creative hub); delivered a fun pre-concert musical workshop for Project21, supporting people with Down’s Syndrome; and offered workshops and performances in Sam’s Café, collaborating with Suffolk Sober Spaces and Status Creative to share music with people in recovery from addiction and those facing mental health challenges.

“It’s been absolutely brilliant. It made me so happy! I’ve never been to anything like this before, I’ve never heard music like this and it was an experience – I will be coming again. It was really uplifting to be near the instruments… Meeting others and hearing the music has made me feel much better in myself, ‘cause I didn’t think I would dare come but it’s been great.” Participant – Suffolk Sober Spaces