M-Fest, which took place this year on Wednesday, July 9, was created in 2023 by Elinor Williams and Rachel Russell from the music department at Malmesbury School in Malmesbury’s Corn Gastons.
According to the school, the event, which boasts two stages, has become bigger and better each year.
This year, the school was visited by Mestre Nilo, director of a famous samba school in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, alongside second-in-command Nilo, Gino and Terry and Jon from Bloco B samba school in Bristol.
Students attended samba workshops through the day, preparing to headline the festival in the evening.
While this was going on, a student technical team worked tirelessly to set up the festival’s electric and acoustic stages.
Behind the scenes, the school’s art department and students led by Mazy Bartlett created decoration in the form of giant letter m’s and bunting.
As the festival’s acts did soundchecks on the stages, a barbecue, an ice cream van, a PTA bar, student facepainting artists, student-led juggling and circus skills workshop and a student magician (who is a member of The Magic Circle) set up ready for the crowds.
“The festival itself was, as the kids say, cooking, in atmosphere, talent and warmth,” Ms Williams said.
“We were entertained by singers, musicians, bands, the soul band, ukulele club and the cast of Me and My Girl, finally culminating in the efforts of the day’s samba workshops.
“Bigger and better every year, M-Fest has become one of the major highlights of the school calendar.”
