Are you a school? A community group? Interested in learning more about the arts? Interested in having a go at something new? A college or university?
It is our mission to maximise the educational potential of Manchester's world class concert venue through projects, programmes and activities inspired by the building and its rich artistic life, accessible to communities of all ages and backgrounds across Greater Manchester.
Our activity encompasses the five key principles of:
Creativity
Artists and participants are encouraged to develop themselves and their creativity to produce entertaining work of high quality. The Trust encourages imaginative cross-arts work.
400 primary school children worked with writer-in-residence Terry Caffrey to write songs inspired by the local or global environment, in response to Mahler's Song of the Earth. The children worked with composer Kate Pearson to set their lyrics to music and performed them at The Bridgewater Hall. Their creativity was captured in a Songbook to be shared with other schools and music services.
Collaboration
Whenever appropriate, the Trust will collaborate with other local or national agencies and professional artists.
The Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Camerata worked together on the final movement of a composition project, with nine community groups from across Greater Manchester creating visual art and music inspired by the building. The groups - including children's, youth and disabled groups, adult photographers, an over 50s choir and a choir of women asylum seekers - worked with Camerata musicians, Bridgewater Hall staff and freelance artists to set up performances and exhibitions throughout the Hall's foyers.
Adventure
Innovative projects and schemes are designed and led by respected national and local artists, musicians and craftspeople. Projects are devised for groups and individuals who otherwise have little access to creative work.
We learned that there was a growing interest in music for deaf and hearing impaired audiences, and worked with Music and the Deaf to explore how we could better serve this community. Three primary school signing choirs contributed to a joint composition and performed in song and sign language - with 300 audience members signing along! The Hall now plans at least two BSL interpreted concerts every year for adult and family audiences.
Responsiveness
Projects are devised to answer a real need and designed in consultation with the people taking part.
Work placements
With few job opportunities for young people and new graduates, we received regular applications for work placements at The Bridgewater Hall. We are now developing a new programme of placements and internships, exploring best practice to ensure that these roles are educational rather than exploitative by committing to training, accreditation and open recruitment.
Development
The Trust tries to foster continuing partnership and work which enables its participants to develop their skills over the longer term.
Impressions of Manchester
The 2012 season sees a celebration of 150 years since Debussy's birth. Two parallel composition projects will see further education students working with associate artist Noriko Ogawa to create new 'Manchester Preludes' whilst supporting younger GCSE and A-level pupils in developing their first compositions, inspired by Debussy's music anmd 19th century art. Both groups will access performances and learning events before performing at The Bridgewater Hall and receiving feedback from professional pianists and composers.
The Bridgewater Hall Community Education Trust is always interested in new partnerships within Greater Manchester. If you have an idea for work which might help the Trust to meet its key principles, please get in touch.
For more information about the work of the Trust, please contact us.
