Manchester Camerata

Manchester Camerata's education programme involves work with children and adults throughout the North West, with the following education activities showing the range of projects that is undertaken:

School's Workshops

Workshops are designed in collaboration with the musicians and the relevant school to make sure that they fully meet needs and requirements. Players also work in schools for longer periods, for example in July 2004 three musicians visited two schools in Macclesfield, spending three days at each school and working with over three hundred and eighty children. Both schools then performed a 'mini-concert' at the end of each residency. Also the recent MAEI project, the biggest that Manchester Camerata has been involved in, worked with musicians, teachers, pupils and other artists, to explore how pupils can make music without formal training in written musical disciplines. Themes were taken from A Winter's Tale and The American Civil War and the outcomes were showcased at Contact Theatre, Manchester.

Special School’s Workshops

Pupils with moderate and severe learning difficulties are given opportunities to respond to, and express themselves in music, and to develop the self-confidence to perform. A recent project in Cheshire culminated in performances in Chester Cathedral and at Bridgewater Hall as part of its Celebrating Creativity event in July 2003. As part of the Cheshire Primary Live project for 2004-05, three musicians will visit 11 special schools throughout Cheshire for full-day interactive workshops.

Challenge Workshops

Challenge Workshops were conceived as biannual events at the Bridgewater Hall preceding orchestral concerts at the venue. They now also take place in many of the orchestra's concert venues, as well as in individual schools. Children who take part join musicians from Manchester Camerata for three hours of fun and creative music making.

Coaching Sessions

Players undertake regular sessions in schools and with LEA music groups, providing them with coaching and giving young players the opportunity to perform alongside professionals.

The Friends' Orchestra

Meeting once a month at the Royal Northern College of Music, the Friends’ Orchestra enables players to come together and enjoy music making under the direction of two professional players. It is open to people of all ages and abilities who have an interest in playing orchestral music.

Schools' Concerts

The orchestra present regular concerts for schools, from the full chamber orchestra to smaller ensembles.

Out of Town

Manchester Camerata also offers education opportunities to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities within and beyond Greater Manchester. It is currently engaged in work in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Colne, and is planning additional work in Barnsley, Leeds, Hull, Sefton, Ulverston, Halton, York and Rhyl.