1979
Norman Del Mar Becomes Director
A ten day music festival, as part of a run of triennial events.
In an attempt to change the diminishing fortunes of the Festival, high profile conductor Norman Del Mar was appointed artistic director, assisted by local music promoter Tony Cooper. An immediate improvement to ticket sales followed.
Norman Del Mar issued a plea for St Andrew’s Hall organ to be restored. An electronic organ was brought in for the Festival concerts.
Once again nearly 500 school students came together to perform in a new large-scale piece of musical theatre – The Voyage of St Brennan by John Paynter.
The 1979 Festival report notes the changes that occured to sponsorship this year:
“A new sponsor was IBM and all the previous sponsors had made substantial increases in their grants. Assistance had also been given by Wiggens Teape and Jarrolds who were to print the programme book. The entire cost of the Voyage of St Brendan would be met by the Anguish Educational Foundation.”
Festival Programme, Norman Del Mar, 1979. Taken from the Norfolk & Norwich Festival archive.
Festival ticket. Taken from the Norfolk & Norwich Festival archive
Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth performed at the 1979 Festival. Taken from the Norfolk & Norwich Festival archive.