Hello!
Welcome to the October 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. The clocks have gone back, the nights are drawing in, but we’ve had plenty of activity bustling in the Hall this spooky season. We hope you enjoy reading what we’ve been up to this month.
The L&P Department
Music Makers – 27 October
For October’s Music Maker’s session, we welcomed in Autumn with Beth, singing songs, and crunching through orange leaves and forest floors. We experimented with different sounds and textures, whilst playing a range of percussion instruments. We also got to hear some Halloween songs played by Beth on her guitar and flute, all accompanied by Abbi on the violin. It was a great opportunity to get up close to great array of instruments and have fun trying them out. All our little Music Makers left with a certificate and sticker – a must to round off any Music Maker workshop!
Community Members Day Focus Group – 27 October
It was great to catch up with some of our Community Members ahead of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine concert and Manchester Midday performance at the Hall. This was an opportunity to say hello to our members and find out what they would like to gain from the scheme. It was also a great chance to reflect on our previous Community Members Day in 2022, which involved a singing and song writing workshop on the main stage. It was lovely to collaborate and start sharing ideas for our next event in 2024.
Are you a local charity, community interest company or group based in or around Manchester? Why not sign up to our Community Members Scheme? Community Members benefit from free and discounted tickets for International Concert Series performances and other concerts, reduced price tours of the building, invitations to participate in activities and special events at the Hall. It’s free to join, and there are no obligations. Contact learning@bridgewater-hall.co.uk for more details or register your group here.
Nordoff and Robbins Day – 26 October
This month we welcomed ASM Global partner, Nordoff and Robbins (N&R) to the Hall for a music therapy workshop. In this session, N&R music therapists demonstrated their daily work, and explained the therapeutic effects music can have on their clients. Bridgewater Hall staff got a chance to take part in some musical games such as ‘pass the beat’ and created a soundscape with our hands and feet. It was inspirational to see some case studies of N&R’s work in action, as it really helped us understand how important it is to support such a great charity!
Find out more about Nordoff and Robbins here.
Be Hear Now – 9 October
For this month’s Be Hear Now session, we were joined Live Music Now’s Meera (flute) and James (classical guitar) from the wonderful Meraki Duo. Beth led our workshop where we listened to the musical tale of Anansi the Spider! Using sensory materials and instruments, we were able to play along, and learn what different types of instruments look and sound like.
Our next Be Hear Now session will take place on 12 November, and features classical guitarist Sam Rodwell. Book here.
Songs and Scones – 6 October
We welcomed groups from across Manchester to enjoy an amazing, relaxed concert from Live Music Now musician’s Edward (baritone) and Rachel (piano). Edward sang some classics such as Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, and The Sound of Music, he then finished with a few iconic Elvis ballads. It was great to see so many people singing and dancing along – and the scones, as always, were top notch. Not a bad way to welcome the weekend if you ask us.
Bridgewater Hall Singers – 4 October
With three different performances across Manchester booked in the diary, our Singers have a fully packed term ahead! For this week’s rehearsal our Singers were taught Leonard Cohen’s beautiful song, Hallelujah. The three-part harmonies were sounding amazing on this one! We can’t wait to share it with you at the Singers Christmas performance next month – see you there!