WALTHAMSTOW ACOUSTIC MASSIVE
Founded in 2012, WAM was a collaboration of acoustic instrumental and singing groups from Waltham Forest.
Offering a platform for adults who wanted to pick up an instrument again or learn a new skill, WAM created a new lease of life for people to discover friendships, hobbies and skills, no matter what their age.
By 2016 WAM had over 70 members from 18 to 80 and had evolved into a powerful musical community who met monthly and had its own choir. It’s motto was: ‘It’s never too late!’
Thanks to support from Arts Council England, WAM delivered bigger and more ambitious projects every year and also offered the opportunity to work with professional musicians.
Take a look at this great video that tells our WAM story and features footage from one of our summer concerts.
Our WAM Story
2012
WAM plays “Hotel California” at The Stow Festival and gets a great response.
2013
Supported by BBC Performing Arts Fund and Arts Council England, WAM performs a Strung Out collaboration “Express Symphony”, an original composition by Alison Jones at six East London festivals. It is well received and takes WAM to another level.
2014
WAM performs at three ambitious events: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, Beyond Barbican, Walthamstow Garden Party and The Stow Festival. At Stow we created a five-hour programme of exciting music collaborating with several community choirs and ensembles and was joined on stage by “Tracey Beaker” actor Clive Rowe. We’re delighted that Clive has since agreed to be our Patron.
2015
We commission Jyotsna Srikanth to compose a piece that combines the worlds and musics of East and West. Entiteld “Mohanna Dance”, it premiers at Walthamstow Garden Party. We also premier an original new song written by choir director Lizzy Renihan, “Don’t Hold Back” at BBC Music Day. Our final summer concert is once again at The Stow Festival, where we host a three hour event featuring local choirs and ensembles and special guest singer, Johnny Amobi.
2016
WAM performs a tribute to the great David Bowie who dies at the start of the year, with special guest star singer, David McAlmont. WAM also pilots a piece from Shapeshifters’ WILDFIRE! show and also partners with a young urban dance group and a Tai Chi group. We also performs at Leytonstone Festival, Walthamstow Garden Party and The Streets Festival, Leyton.
