We are delighted to announce the appointment of Emma Parker as our new Principal Second (job share). Amongst many other ventures, Emma also performs with the Badke Quartet who you can hear in action on last Friday's BBC Radio 3's In Tune. Interestingly, Emma has had indirect links with Camerata in the past, as the Badke Quartet studied with Camerata's Music Director, Gábor Takács-Nagy.

Listen to Emma perform on In Tune here

Please note, the performance will only be live on the In Tune website for seven days after the show aired.

Manchester Camerata are delighted to announce that Gaeia (Global and Ethical Investment Advice) are sponsoring the season launch at Manchester Town Hall on Friday 20 September 2013

Gaeia was founded in 1993 by human rights campaigner and environmental activist, Brigid Benson and is one of the UK’s original ethical finance companies, perfectly fitting the ethos of Manchester Camerata.

"Gaeia is very happy to be sponsoring this special concert and the excellent outreach work that Camerata does in the wider community. Gaeia has always been a supporter of the arts in Manchester and it's a lovely way to add to our 20th anniversary celebrations" said Brigid Benson, founder of Gaeia (Global and Ethical Investment  Advice).

Claire Barlow, Head of Corporate Partnerships for Manchester Camerata says, “We are delighted that Gaeia are very kindly sponsoring the opening concert of our season in Manchester. Manchester Camerata is an ambitious orchestra with a 40 year history, performing to 70,000 people annually and reaching over 10,000 people each year through our award winning Learning and Participation programme. The orchestra contributes enormously to the vitality and cultural economy of Manchester and the North West, generating £1.8 million local spend in the past year and partnerships with companies such as Gaeia are vital to us achieving our aims.” 

Concert details:

In Memoriam Benjamin Britten, Friday 20 September, 7.30pm, Manchester Town Hall

ENDS

FOR INTERVIEW REQUESTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, REVIEW TICKETS OR MORE INFO PLEASE CONTACT:

NOTES TO EDITORS

GAEIA (GLOBAL & ETHICAL INVESTMENT ADVICE)

• Founded by human rights campaigner and environmental activist, Brigid Benson, Gaeia now has a strong advisory team, and is part of the Castlefield Group, an employee-owned business based in Manchester, with clients throughout the UK and beyond. Being owned by its employees, clients and a charitable foundation ensures that the business is managed in a more sustainable way for the long term, rather than for the short term gains of any individual shareholder. For more information visit www.gaeia.com or contact 0161 233 4550.

MANCHESTER CAMERATA

• Manchester Camerata is a world-class chamber orchestra whose purpose is to transform people’s lives through the power of music. The orchestra is renowned for vibrant performances, innovative programming, and empowering Learning and Participation work with schools, early years, health groups and young people.  The orchestra present an annual concert series in Manchester and tour throughout the UK. 

Download Media Release 

Last month Manchester Camerata’s Youth Forum created a brand new promenade style musical from scratch and performed it live at the RNCM. 

The talented group of young people from Greater Manchester spent a week working alongside a team of talented arts practitioners and musicians made up of Camerata musicians, Janet Fulton and Amina Hussain, composer Andy Smith, dramatist Paul Hine and visual artist Dave Hulston to create the event #Lifeonshuffle. During the rehearsals the group had a very exciting surprise when Take That's Jason Orange unexpectedly visited the project to meet the group and listen to one of their compositions. 

#Lifeonshuffle took the form of the grand opening of an art exhibition and aimed to challenge the different ways in which people interpret art. The project was designed and created by members of the Youth Forum, including the artwork itself, the reflections on the artwork and all songs and music. The audience were taken on an intriguing tour of the 'exhibition', led around some of the more unusual spaces at the RNCM by Youth Forum actors, at times being surrounded by musicians and singers performing in complete darkness or being treated to inspiring ensemble performances. 

What the audience thought

‘To achieve what you have in one week is incredible. It was a totally unique performance – original and well thought out - beautiful songs with feeling.’

‘There is a lot of talent our there – very moving, totally unexpected, first time here, shame I have never been before.’

How the participants felt

‘I have become more confident with expressing my ideas with people I’ve never met.’

‘I’ve learnt a lot musically - the project opened my eyes to all aspects of art.’

‘I designed the project so seeing it come together how I wanted it with better improvements has made me realise the efficiency of Camerata.’

‘I enjoyed the project because I got to do my favourite things with new people I’ve met; who are amazing. I’ve learnt how to be confident and open with new people.’

‘Expanded my comfort zone, met amazing people and had fun making it.’

Photographs from the rehearsals

Following Manchester Camerata's critically acclaimed performance with Martha Argerich at The Bridgewater Hall in July, we asked our orchestra members what they felt about the experience.

"I think that this concert was a huge highlight for everyone, not only in the more obvious sense that it was 'high profile' (which it would have been with any world famous soloist) - but most importantly because it was the level of supreme musicianship and artistic 'ping pong', led by Gabor and Martha and participated in by players and audience alike that distinguished this as a truly great and memorable experience."

Hannah Roberts, cello

"It was easily one of the most rewarding concerts I have been part of. I have never seen an energy in The Bridgewater hall like it, it really was electric. I think the fact that it was in collaboration with Manchester International Festival is really important as I feel it must have helped in bring a new, big and diverse audience to watch us that night.  Resulting in a lot of new fans I am sure!

As for the concert itself, playing Bartok with Gabor was a truly eye opening experience. I feel that he made Bartok's language make so much sense and that he took us to the heart of Hungary when we worked on it with him. It was also touching to see how much this piece meant to him, as a Hungarian, and I think this really encouraged us to put all our passion into the performance.

Playing with Gabor and Martha was again an experience I will never forget. I think it's safe to say that no one in that room had ever heard piano playing like it. However, what was the most exciting thing for me was how we were able to connect with Marthar as an orchestra. How we were able to accommodate her every move, it felt like true chamber music."

Simran Singh, violin 

"This concert was a real life changing experience! The concert was such incredibly high in amazing positive energy! I will never forget this concert! Thank you so much!"

Leslie Boulin, violin

Maureen Wray - from violinist to yoga guru

We continue our exploration into the lives of our current and former orchestra members with an interview with former Manchester Camerata violinist, Maureen Wray. 

After training at Chetham's School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music, Maureen played for Manchester Camerata from 1989 until 2009. Her last concert was Manchester Camerata's performance at the Proms in 2009, conducted by Douglas Boyd. Since then Maureen has turned her attentions to yoga, training with yoga masters and setting up a successful business, YogaYourself. 

When did you become interested in yoga?

A friend suggested it to me ten years ago.  I tried it and found it really satisfying.  I liked it because it was so simple and calming.

How did you decide to change careers?

I was looking for a new challenge.  Something different. Yoga just felt right. There are so many similarities to my music career and training and I was interested in exploring these. Yoga teaching is a performance too and years of musical performance have helped me with my teaching processes.  

Could you tell us more about the similarities?

Pulling apart moves and analysing thoughts; Observing and aligning the body and being aware of natural behaviours; Regular application and practice. I approach yoga in exactly the same way as I did the violin and it involves a lot of training on my own in a room. 

Do you still play the violin?

I don't play now, I just don't have the urge to play the violin anymore. I am very interested in learning a new instrument one day, from scratch. I'd probably choose the oboe, with the intention of playing with an amateur orchestra at some point. At the moment there just isn't the time, as I am focusing on YogaYourself. One day though! 

What's next for you?

I teach yoga classes most days of the week and spend a lot of time training.  I have to study with masters to continually improve myself. Over the summer I spent a month in India, working towards being a senior teacher and will be taking further assessments. I've also always had a passion for clothing, as my friends at Camerata will know, and have recently launched a new website selling yoga clothing which I source personally.

Visit Maureen's website, YogaYourself for more details. 

Classical music, fine dining, arts and business leaders and our 303 year-old, 1709 Stradivarius violin combined perfectly on Wednesday night at The Midland’s award-winning restaurant, The French, for a special event hosted by Manchester Camerata and supported by John Eckersley of Castlefield Investments.

Michelin-starred Simon Rogan created a sumptuous 6 course menu based on the world-famous 303 year-old Stradivarius violin, currently on permanent loan to Manchester Camerata from Jonathan Moulds. Giovanni Guzzo, Camerata’s charismatic leader, had provided added inspiration earlier in the year by playing the Stradivarius to Simon in the kitchens of The Midland.  Courses included ‘A plate of gold’, a course of everything yellow or gold to represent the violin’s golden period and ‘Blackcurrant Bombe ’, to celebrate its safe passage through the 2^nd World War when it survived the Dresden bombings.

Manchester Camerata take inspiration from the Florentine Camerata - a group of 16th century musicians, poets, intellectuals, business leaders, astrologers and philosophers who met to guide, support and engage with the arts. So it was entirely fitting that on Wednesday evening we brought together 50 leaders from the worlds of arts and business to enter into a very Mancunian and Florentine spirit of conversation.  

Over the course of the evening we discussed ways of supporting and engaging with the Camerata’s exciting and important work; from ambitious and inspiring participation work, to exceptional artists and music that connects everyone every time. All perfectly illustrated by Giovanni Guzzo’s dazzling performances on the famous violin throughout the evening, including an impromptu late-night appearance in the kitchens just for the staff! 

The event was featured by Dianne Bourne in The Diary pages of the Manchester Evening News. Read the article here.

If you're feeling inspired and would like to join us on our exciting journey, visit the Support Us pages of our website to find out how. 

Our first UpClose of 13|14 went down a storm on Saturday 19 October. In a formidable collaboration with Manchester Literature Festival, our principal players treated the audience to a performance of Beethoven's String Quartet no.130 interspersed with new poems by the remarkable poet Lemn Sissay.

Watch the film below to see what the audience had to say...

Manchester Camerata, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Philip Barker Charity invite you to attend a truly unique performance of their ‘Tinderbox’ project at Chester Cathedral on 21st November, 2.30- 3.15 pm.

Three Chester primary schools (Chester Blue Coat; Lache and Belgrave), University of Chester teacher training students and members of the community have been working with a Camerata composer, musicians and dramatist to create a brand new opera.

More than one hundred people of all ages will form the cast to create and perform a powerful story of how antisocial behaviour can have devastating and lasting consequences for others, in order to spread/communicate hard hitting messages of fire safety awareness in their communities. 

Come and witness this artistic collaboration between children and professionals from the worlds of music and theatre for free on 21st November at Chester Cathedral.

Contact Nick Ponsillo for more information- T: 0161 226 8696 E: nponsillo@manchestercamerata.com

Last Friday Camerata were joined on the RNCM stage again by astonishing Italian cellist Giovanni Sollima, after a mesmerising performance with us in 2011.

With a full house and standing ovation, it is safe to say it was a night that will be remembered by all for a while to come. The ensemble stunned the audience with a fantastic programme which included some of Sollima's own compositions, followed by a thrilling array of virtuosic encores, including a witty arrangement of Hendrix's 'Angel' to suit Sollima's new-found nickname.

BBC Radio 6 Music

"He gives himself so completely to the performance, he's just so full of passion and joy and wit... He moves around his instrument like Charlie Chaplin would move around a beautiful girl" - Mary Anne Hobbs, BBC Radio 6 Music

Catch Sollima while you can on Radio 6 iplayer with Mary Anne Hobbs, where he talks about his passion for the cello. Don't miss the excerpt of the stunning Vibrez which follows - a captivating piece which Camerata had the pleasure to programme in 2011.

Watch the video playlist below to hear first hand some thoughts on the evening from some of those lucky enough to be part of the audience.

"What a great orchestra, really very special and always searching for sound" - Giovanni Sollima

Gorton, Stretford and Moss Side Teens Learn Lessons from Classical Music and Business

The worlds of technology, music and sport collided last week in a celebration of excellence at the HQ of Manchester’s leading web hosting company, UKFast.

As part of the firm’s transformation of the formally neglected building in Hulme into a vibrant tech hub, CEO Lawrence Jones has developed an auditorium, not only for the enjoyment of UKFast employees and their families but for the enjoyment of the local community as a whole.

Manchester Camerata was the first North West organisation to make use of the new space, free-of-charge. The rehearsals did the trick and the unforgettable sold out concert that proceeded was attended by Radio 6 Music’s Mary Anne Hobbs. You can listen to an exclusive interview with Giovanni Sollima on BBC Radio 6 Music with Mary Anne Hobbs, at 1:44:42 of her Saturday morning breakfast show. The excerpt of the stunning Vibrez which follows is a captivating piece that Camerata had the pleasure to programme in 2011.

Also present to enjoy the music were former Common Wealth gold medallist Diane Modahl and a group of young athletes from local schools and colleges in Stretford, Moss Side and Gorton, currently taking part in clubs set up by the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation.

“I’m a creative at heart,” Jones revealed. “I grew up playing two things: the piano, and rugby, so I know the value that both of these disciplines can have in shaping you as you grow up.

“I hope that the young people I spoke to were able to see how focus and commitment have aided me – and the Camerata musicians – in developing our skillsets and achieving our goals.”

After being shown around the building and watching the orchestra rehearse, the young athletes were treated to a discussion with Giovanni Guzzo, Camerata's Leader. Guzzo then invited the youngsters to see Camerata in concert, providing them with complimentary tickets for the orchestra's performance at the Royal Northern College of Music on Friday 8 November.

Following the event, Guzzo commented: “We would very much like to thank Lawrence Jones and the UKFast team for inviting us along today, and for their continued support."

“It was a real pleasure to meet the young athletes today and share our music with them in such inspiring new surroundings. A central part of Manchester Camerata's work is our innovative, vibrant and award-winning learning and participation work and it was wonderful for us to find out more about the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation.”

To find out how you or your business can get involved with Camerata, visit our support us pages today. 

Paul Flowers has resigned as chairman of Manchester Camerata. We are unable to comment on the allegations on his personal life.

Our 2013|14 Composer-in-Residence Laura Bowler speaks to us about inspirations and aspirations for working with Camerata and further afield.

One of the aims of Manchester Camerata is to stimulate and support the creation and performance of new music by up and coming composers, ensuring these works reach a wider audience, and have the durability beyond their first performance.  In addition Manchester Camerata hopes to motivate public debate about contemporary music-making and performance through ground-breaking projects and collaborations with a variety of composers, performers and creative organisations.

Laura is currently working on two major projects with Camerata that will be premiered with us in 2014. For more details of how you can be there visit the event pages below.

UpClose II 8 February 

Season finale 24 May

If you want to hear about what the pieces will involve and discover more about Laura and her work have a listen to the exclusive interviews below by clicking through to the playlist.

Our 2013|14 Sound and Music 'Embedded' Composer-in-Residence Laura Bowler speaks to us about her aspirations for working with Camerata and further afield.

One of our aims at Camerata is to stimulate and support the creation and performance of new music by up and coming composers, ensuring these works reach a wider audience, and have the durability beyond their first performance. What's more, we hope to motivate public debate about contemporary music-making and performance through ground-breaking projects and collaborations with a variety of composers, performers and creative organisations.

Laura is currently working on two major projects with Camerata that will be premiered with us in 2014. For more information on these events, follow the links: UpClose - 8 Feb, Royal Exchange Theatre | Season Finale - 24 May, The Bridgewater Hall.

Discover more about Laura Bowler and her work with Camerata in this exclusive video interview:

Camerata musicians and a dramatist have been working with Year 6 students from Webster Primary School to explore the holocaust from the victim perspective and to create a semi-staged mini opera. The students have developed their own narrative and drama and composed their own music and lyrics.

Hear all about Horrors of War on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour

BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour did an exclusive on Horrors of War today. Click here to listen again and tune in at 24:46, where you can hear exclusive snapshots of rehearsals and interviews with participants and our practitioners.

Horrors of War is an ongoing Learning and Participation project that sees primary school children learning all about the holocaust whilst exploring their artistic and creative talents. 

The new piece of music theatre will be shared as a pre-concert performance before Manchester Camerata's concert The Voice of God on 22 November.

Concert tonight critics choice...

'The music may be familiar: Mozart's great Serenade No. 10 for 13 wind instruments and Dvořák's delightful Serenade for Winds (plus a rarely heard Rondino by Beethoven). But the chance to hear it led by a musician as distinguished as Gábor Takács-Nagy is rare' - the Telegraph.

Make your New Year extra special this year by joining us for our much loved annual celebrations at The Bridgewater Hall. Whether you’re looking for a glamourous night at the musicals on New Year’s Eve or a waltz around Vienna on New Year’s Day,

 

New Year’s Day Viennese Gala

This New Year’s Day, be whisked back to the decadence and style of 19th century Vienna with an enchanting afternoon of uplifting Viennese waltzes, polkas and songs – brought to life by Manchester Camerata, the city’s world-class chamber orchestra. A fabulous Christmas gift for Strauss and Blue Danube fans everywhere.

Visit the concert information page for full details and to book online. Tickets can also be booked through the Box Office on 0844 907 9007.

AFTERNOON TEA AT THE MIDLAND HOTEL

Why not extend your celebrations on New Year’s Day with a luxurious afternoon tea

in the sumptuous surroundings of The Midland Hotel? Available 12.00pm - 5.00pm.

Price per person: £18.50 or £23.50 including glass of champagne.

Advance booking essential, call The Midland Hotel on 0161 236 3333.

New Year's Eve Gala

Bring in the New Year with Manchester Camerata at The Bridgewater Hall. Stars of the West End stage will join the orchestra in a night of musical theatre favourites, toe-tapping tunes and memorable melodies. See out the old year and greet the new by singing your heart out in the traditional Last Night of the Proms finale.

Programme includes: Rodgers' Oh What a Beautiful Morning, Bernstein's Tonight, Lloyd Webber's Memory and Styne's Don't Rain on My Parade.

Please see our concert information page for a full programme listing and to book online. You can also book through the Box Office on 0844 907 9000. 

Tinderbox

Tinderbox was a joint project between Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Manchester Camerata and the Philip Barker Charity, with the aim of working with young people to create a 45 minute musical drama piece to highlight anti-social behaviour, the dangers of fire and cause and consequence.

A composer, dramatist and musicians from Manchester Camerata along with Firefighters from Chester Fire Station and student teachers from the University of Chester worked with pupils from three schools in Chester to explore the themes of anti-social behaviour, hoax calls and deliberate fires.  The children performed their new work at Chester Cathedral on Thursday 21 November, with exciting appearances by Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service firefighters and a fire engine!

The fantastic piece of musical drama created was based on a story about Prometheus stealing fire from Zeus, giving it to the mortals and then witnessing how humans misused and disrespected it. Prometheus, seeing how the fire was being misused, threatened to take it from the humans and showed them what a world without fire would look like unless they promised to pay fire respect and use it in the correct way.

Anthony McCarthy, from Cheshire Fire & Rescue said, “The whole project was a complete success, culminating in a brilliant performance by the children. I have had a number of people give me feedback, mainly parents, who have said that their children have since not stopped talking about the experience. This to me is the reason why we did the project in the first place. If we have left a lasting impression on them, then it may mean a fire/tragedy is averted in the future. I have to express my gratitude to Manchester Camerata’s practitioners Andy, Paul, Amina and Janet for their professionalism. It was inspirational to see how they managed to get the children working toward such a compelling story that was so well received. The music and lyrics had equal impact and seem to work together perfectly due to their hard work.”

Sir Edmund Burton, of the Philip Barker Charity said: “On behalf of the Philip Barker Trustees I would like to thank and congratulate Manchester Camerata and Cheshire Fire & Rescue for delivering such an inspiring performance. This success was justly deserved and well earned. The careful planning and attention to detail; the confident, cheerful and enthusiastic style of working; and the sense of energy and commitment; all inspired the young people and will be an enduring experience for them and the other members of the audience.”

We asked Susanna Whawell, of Auxilium Legal, to talk about why Auxilium has chosen to sponsor Manchester Camerata.  Here she discusses how the support came about, and why she believes that music education for all is so important.

"In September this year an e-mail landed in my inbox from Manchester Camerata inviting sponsorship and support of their musical education programme. As a company director, and part-time amateur musician I felt that it was long overdue for me to help others experience the same joy in music that I did as I was growing up.

Music has always been a huge part of my life, and I first began to play the piano as a young child. However the moment I set eyes on the saxophone I knew I had to have one, and to this day it remains my favourite instrument.  I was hugely fortunate to benefit from local authority funded music lessons and one-to-one tuition provided by excellent peripatetic teachers. I firmly believe that the musical education I received as a child has continued to benefit me in my later career, teaching me self-discipline, patience and the will to persevere when if at first it doesn’t go quite right. (Eb minor melodic anyone?!)

As part of my musical education I also spent countless happy hours playing with local and regional ensembles, learning many different types of music and the joy of playing and creating music with others. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being part of a successful orchestra or band when the audience applauds, and the sense of unity and togetherness experienced in a good orchestra just can’t be described. These experiences are something that everyone should be fortunate enough to enjoy at least once. 

This is why I firmly believe that scaling-back musical education is a misguided and short-term cost-cutting exercise that will have long-term adverse implications.  Music brings joy to so many people, and too many adults look back wistfully, wishing that they had learned to play an instrument when they were younger.  Not helping children learn a musical instrument today is a missed opportunity that will later become a regret."