This significant support involves a number of initiatives including students helping with the front of house and stage management for the concert. Mr Carl Wakefield, Executive Principal at Plume Academy commented: “We are delighted to be working with the Maldon Festival, strengthening the Festival offer and involving our students in the delivery of the 2022 opera. Our aim is always to stimulate and encourage creativity and this objective is well matched by the Festival, whose ethos is to bring performing arts to life for Maldon and the surrounding region. I hope everyone enjoys an evening of wonderful music and delicious picnic food!”

With help from Plume Academy, The Maldon Festival hopes to increase its work with younger audiences and involve more aspiring musicians and those interested in the performing arts. Festival Director Colin Baldy commented: “We have had several difficult years thanks to the pandemic and the support offered by the Plume is therefore particularly appreciated. We believe this is something that can only grow in the future”.

The Maldon Festival starts on June 24th and runs for two weeks covering three weekends. The Festival has also received support and sponsorship from a number of other regional schools including Orwell Park School, Royal Hospital School and Felsted School which is sponsoring the Children’s concert at mid-day on the 25th of June. “To be able to count Plume Academy and all these schools as supporters of the Festival is really important for the future, not just of the Festival, but of performing arts across the region”, concluded Colin Baldy.