Manchester

Manchester
Sunday 12 to Wednesday 15 January 2014

Sunday 12 January
Observed Halle Youth Orchestras wind, brass and percussion sectional rehearsing Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique in preparation for a side-by-side performance in February 2014 with the Halle.

Monday 13 January
Attended Association of British Orchestras North West Youth Orchestras round table meeting at Halle St Peters. The round table was held to discuss research undertaken about UK’s regional youth orchestras and to discuss ways they can address issues and create opportunities through partnering with other youth orchestras, professional orchestras and Borough music services.

Meeting with Steve Pickett, Head of Education, Halle
During this meeting I learnt about their programs which each year provides 70 programs attended by 44,000 students and teachers.

Halle’s education program in recent times in part due to hubs and new curriculum has become more strategic and a coordinated response.

4 areas the education programs cover are:
Curriculum support – classroom music
Instruments support – instrumental music hub and teaching
Access to performances
Access for students with special needs

Halle’s musicians are actively involved with the education program and receive a lot of mentoring.

Halle also provides professional experience opportunities for students studying at the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University.

Tuesday 14 January 2014
Meeting with John Summers, Chief Executive, Halle

John created the youth orchestra at the Halle to create a professional and meaningful role for the orchestra’s assistant conductor.

His approach since his time at Sage Gateshead has been that education plays a key role in the orchestras future and in no way does it make you a lesser orchestra.

Based on this discussion, it has given me much food for thought as to how AdYO can strengthen and grow its relationship with the ASO.

Meeting with Naomi Benn, Head of Ensembles
Very brief meeting due to Naomi being busy. In short a brief discussion occurred about Halle Youth Orchestra. Halle YO exists it provide orchestral opportunities for students who don’t have opportunities at school or at the conservatoire. The approach they have with all of the students is to treat them like they are professionals with communication for over 13s going to the student, so that they are responsible for their own participation This occurs after initially advising the parents of this.

Halle Youth Orchestra don’t commission works due to lack of funds for commissioning.

Wednesday 15 January 2014
Attended Halle Concert at The Bridgewater Hall where they performed Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances.