Connecting Through Music: Creative Engagement’s Autumn Term Highlights
The Creative Engagement team at Stoller Hall and Chetham’s School of Music are feeling energised after a fantastic Autumn term. Here are some of our successes from the past few months.
Our family programme has taken 621 children and their grown-ups on some wonderful musical adventures. From experiencing the sounds of Sri Lanka with Mini Music Adventures, to meeting Leo the Lion and Helena the Horse, our delightful new Stoller Story Sounds characters, the term was action-packed! Did you know you can relive these musical journeys through our unique Spotify Playlists? Click here to explore.
In September, we premiered new compositions by students from Chetham’s School of Music. Their music responded to artworks by disabled artists from Venture Arts in Manchester, which have been on display in our Haworth Gallery since September. Click here to listen to the new pieces or scan the QR codes on the gallery walls.
In October half-term, young people on free school meals from Manchester and Salford took part in Make Some Noise. Delivered in partnership with Wood Street Mission children’s charity, these one-day holiday workshops promote creative skills and careers, grow young people’s friendship networks, and assist with family childcare provision. Last term, 40 young people from Salford Community Leisure Youth Clubs explored the art of songwriting and learned to beatbox with Faz Shah.
Relaxed Lunchtime Concerts have continued to be a fantastic way to engage with classical music in an informal, neurodivergence-friendly setting. Since October, 141 audience members have listened to our incredible students at Chetham’s performing in these free daytime concerts. We’ve had some exciting firsts, including a double bass ensemble, an oboe quartet, a mini operetta, and our youngest performer yet at only 9 years old!
In December, we welcomed 746 schoolchildren and their teachers from across Greater Manchester to Revolting Rhymes. Students from Chetham’s School of Music were joined by BBC Radio 3 presenter Linton Stephens, who narrated wintery tales in this special Christmas concert. Our Schools Concerts are brilliant at introducing children to orchestral music in a fun and engaging way, all within the beautiful Stoller Hall.
Through our KS2 Online Workshops, we have worked with 3,315 children from 42 primary schools across England. Schools joined us from Greater Manchester and as far away as Westmorland and Furness, North Tyneside, Wolverhampton, Suffolk and Devon to learn about endangered instruments and enjoy making music together.
“This was a really positive and interactive experience for our children. Thank you very much.” Classroom teacher from Bolton
What to look forward to in 2025
Our FREE KS2 Online Workshops for schools resume on 29th January. To find out more and to sign up, click here.
As a new addition to our schools programme, we are offering tours of Chetham’s School of Music and Stoller Hall. Visiting groups will get a taste of the vibrant life here at Chetham’s – perfect for young people interested in GCSE / BTEC Music, Music Technology or Performing Arts. To find out more and to book a tour, email joinin@chethams.com.
Our next Relaxed Lunchtime Concert is on 5th February. For more information and to book, click here.
You can book tickets for our family events too:
Stoller Story Sounds with Leo the Lion – 18 January
Stoller Story Sounds with Helena the Horse – 15 February
Mini Music Adventures – in China! – 29 March
Finally, the Creative Engagement team would like to say a massive thank you for your support in 2024! We look forward to seeing you again in 2025.
From Creative Engagement at Chetham’s School of Music and Stoller Hall
As a charity, making music fun, affordable, and accessible to the people of Manchester and beyond is at the heart of what we do. However, keeping our projects affordable comes at a cost. Therefore, if you feel able to, we would be very grateful for any donations, no matter how small, which can support our mission to share music with everyone. Find out more here.
To find out more about Creative Engagement email us at joinin@chetham’s.com or visit https://chethamsschoolofmusic.com/join-in/
