December Playback 2024
Welcome to the December edition of our Bridgewater For All Playback, where we look back at the highlights of the Learning and Participation programme at The Bridgewater Hall for this month. It’s official – Christmas is here! From mass choir carolling to wading through a mountain of mince pies, we can certainly see why this is the most wonderful time of the year!
We hope you enjoy reading what we’ve been up to in December and have a lovely Christmas season!
The L&P Department
The Bridgewater Hall Singers Festive Performances – 4, 6 & 16 December
Kicking off the festive season, our Bridgewater Hall Singers joined forces with their fellow Simply Singing North West choirs and live band for a heartwarming Festive Big Sing. There were tears, laughs, and plenty of mince pies, all in support of the amazing Booth Centre. The concert also featured a BSL signed performance led by the lovely Gemma from Sign Me Happy. Our Singers had previously only had one rehearsal to learn the signs for Feliz Navidad and We Wish You a Merry Christmas and did a fantastic job. Gemma also took the time to teach the signs to the audience, who looked great singing and signing along. With over two hundred choir members singing in harmony, the Christmas spirit was truly in the air. The afternoon was finished off with a mince pie, cup of tea and good chat up on Circle Foyer.
The Bridgewater Hall Singers had the pleasure of being invited to sing at Manchester Central’s ‘One Day at Christmas’ – a special Christmas experience for people at risk of social isolation. The audience of over 100 greater Manchester residents were great at joining in, with lots of people singing along to the classics and arms swaying in time to the music. The choir also taught the audience the BSL signs for ‘Happy Christmas’. It was lovely to see people exchanging hand signs with each other around the room.
To find out more about the Bridgewater Hall Singers click here.
Songs and Scones – 6 December
For December’s Songs and Scones, we were joined by the amazing Ste Forshaw and David Kelly. This duo from Live Music Now are an absolute firm favourite with our Songs and Scones audiences, and rightly so! Ste played all the classic 60s hits that got the audience singing and dancing along, and of course we had to have some Slade thrown in there for good measure. As always, these relaxed concerts from Live Music Now are topped off with a scone and a cup of tea, all with the aim to bring people together through music.
To find out more about Songs and Scones click here.
Be Hear Now – 8 December
This month we were joined at Be Hear Now by the wonderful Chameleon. Chameleon are amazing at showcasing the woodwind family as a whole, and have been known to feature up to 14 instruments on stage! It was great to celebrate the end of a fabulous year with Beth’s flute, Chameleon’s woodwind smorgasbord, and our Be Hear Now families in this interactive workshop and concert.
To find out more about Be Hear Now click here.
Music Makers – 9 December
At Music Makers this month we heard those sleigh bells jingling as Sarah Atter took our families on a Winter Wonderland adventure through Lapland! We warmed up our bodies ahead of the journey as we explored the sensory materials and instruments around the room. We also sang lots of classic Christmas songs all accompanied by Sarah’s beautiful flute.
To find out more about Music Makers click here.