Community
Manchester Camerata exists to make a difference. We believe that orchestras and music are for everyone, enhancing people’s lives and delivering positive change for places.
This year, we continued to use music to give voice to people in diverse community settings. Our Music Cafes provided support and connection for people living with dementia and their carers, continuing to show a tangible impact on the lives of people. During the year, the difference we are making was showcased in a major BBC documentary, that charted the experiences of participants and performers. To enhance the lives of more people this year, a new company, Music in Mind Remote, was founded by Manchester Camerata and The University of Manchester. This new enterprise will expand the reach of Music in Mind, providing resources and support to professionals who wish to use music in community and care settings.
Music in Mind continues to expand, both in terms of the number of people benefitting and an increase in the number of music therapists engaged and supported by the programme.
Alongside our sector-leading work on dementia, Manchester Camerata has also continued to find new ways to bring music into the lives of local communities across Greater Manchester. This work is guided by our Social Impact Plan which sets a framework for us to consult with local communities to create experiences and programmes that are embedded in place.
In 2022-23, our focus has been on Rochdale, Wigan, Oldham, and Manchester. One major highlight of 2022 was The People Make the Place. This high-quality celebratory event pulled together the entire Gorton community, including local schools, youth clubs, a community choir, and participants from our dementia Music Cafes. Working together, they wrote and performed their own songs to an at-capacity audience, accompanied by our world-class orchestra in The Great Nave in Gorton’s Monastery.
This work demonstrates the very real difference that music can make to the lives of people and the prospects of places. We also know that the quality and craft of our musicians is enhanced through forming close connections with audiences in diverse settings. Those are qualities that then enable them to excel on the stages of famous concert halls.
Looking Forward
As we move into next year, we are expanding our team with the appointment of a new Senior Project Manager to work alongside our Head of Communities. This will enable us to expand our reach and continue to deliver social impact through actively engaging with and listening to our communities. leading to new collaborations and unlocking new creativity. We know that not everything we do will succeed, but that is the nature of an organisation that takes risks and pushes itself to operate in ways that others do not. With humanity, originality, excellence, and fearlessness, we will continue to use music to connect with people and places beyond the concert hall.