Hello!
Welcome to the June 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. From vibrant festivals to introspective concerts, we’ve been bursting at the seams with a whole range of activity at the Hall this month.
We hope you enjoy reading what we’ve been up to in June.
The L&P Department
Live at Lunchtime
Giuliano Modarelli and Kousic Sen brought music for the mind and soul to Live at Lunchtime on Friday 14 June. Giuliano is a renowned guitarist, composer, and producer with a unique voice. Having studied Jazz at University, he went on the develop through the Indian classical tradition. He was joined by the ever-amazing tabla master, Kousic Sen. This concert was proudly presented by Milap, South Asian Arts . On the 21 June we had singer-songwriter Emily Mercer join us for a lovely Live at Lunchtime performance. From indie pop hooks to jazz-inspired harmonies, Emily’s performance was the perfect way to kick start the weekend.
To find out more about Live at Lunchtime click here.
Streetwise Opera Re:Discover Festival – Friday 7-8 June
This month the Hall hosted Streetwise Opera’s Re:Discover festival – a two day festival celebrating under-performed African and Caribbean composers and musical culture. Over the last year, Streetwise performers created a new 15-minute opera, inspired by the music of composers like Joseph Bologne, Margaret Bonds and Florence Price, which they performed on the main stage at the Hall. Across the weekend there was a whole programme of events showcasing Streetwise’s work, as well as performances and workshops led by artists of African and Caribbean heritage.
On Friday afternoon, the festival started with a performance of Streetwise’s newly created opera and an interactive workshop for schools, with nearly 700 students in attendance. Students wrote their own song and learnt about the process of writing and staging opera. Friday night featured performances by Live Music Now and RNCM musicians, Streetwise Opera performances and workshops, and a piece by actor Paterson Joseph, ‘Sancho & Me’, based around 18th century abolitionist and composer Ignatius Sancho, and Paterson’s own experiences growing up in 1970s London.
On Saturday, a daytime event for families featured a reprisal of the opera performance and interactive workshop in the auditorium, along with dancing and storytelling workshops by AfroCats, a tapestry demonstration by Jay Green, and foyer performances by Jamsalana steel pan band. There was also an exhibition of tapestries created by Green in the Circle foyer. As the finale of the weekend, on Saturday night the Jazz Jamaica All Stars performed a tribute to Trojan Records, accompanied by a community choir of over 100 singers recruited by the department.
Re:Discover was the largest event that the L&P department have put on in the past 4 years – 22 events took place across two full days, with over 2000 people attending the festival – a huge thank you to everyone who was involved and supported this great event!
To find out more about Streetwise Opera click here.
Be Hear Now – Sunday 9 June
For June’s Be Hear Now we were joined by the wonderful Iwan Owen (piano) and Nicole Boardman (soprano) from Live Music Now. Iwan played some ragtime tunes, conducted by our wonderful participants and their families, whilst Nicole’s stunning voice captured everyone’s attention throughout the session.
To find out more about Be Hear Now click here.
Music Makers – Monday 10 June
Alice and Louise from Simply Singing led this month’s Music Makers, ‘Buzz Around the World’. This session was all about singing for wellbeing and singing to connect with your little one. Following a friendly bee, we buzzed around the globe learning traditional lullabies and folk tunes from Brazil to the Republic of Congo whilst discovering different sensory materials and instruments on the way.
To find out more about Music Makers click here.
Music Action International, Harmonise 2024 – Monday 17 June
We hosted another fantastic Harmonise concert from Music Action International (MAI) in June. Over 650 students attended from schools across Greater Manchester, to see performances by 100 KS2 students, led by musicians from MAI. The concert celebrates the fantastic musical cultures and impact of refugee and migrant musicians.
To find out more about Music Action International click here.
Be Hear Now in the Community – Tuesday 25 June
In June, we held the sharing event for Be Hear Now in the Community, the culmination of monthly sessions we have delivered with PossAbilities, a day centre for adults with learning disabilities in Rochdale. The event was led by leaders Beth Bishop and Alice Phelps, and featured performances by PossAbilities, including ‘Jennifer’s Song’ which they had written themselves, as well as students from Heatons School and OMNI Music. Special Virtuosi, an ensemble for SEND young people delivered by the RNCM, also gave brilliant solo and group performances. The group is now preparing for a special interactive workshop on Friday 9 August, as part of The Royal Exchange’s annual community event – The FestiDale in The Den! We’d love to see you there.
To find out more about Be Hear Now in the Community at The Den click here.