Foreword from Our Chair

Music that matters, music for change. That is the essence of Manchester Camerata.

Since joining the Board as Chair in January 2025, I’ve witnessed countless ways in which this fantastic organisation brings that vision to life.

At its heart is a team of exceptional and ambitious musicians, audiences and communities, as well as our funders and philanthropists. Our brilliant Music Director, Gábor Takács-Nagy, inspires our musicians to take risks and play with total commitment – and it shows. Whether performing in the new Monastery lunchtime concert series in Gorton, at sold-out venues in London, or on international stages from Bahrain to the Edinburgh International Festival, Camerata continues to demonstrate the energy and artistry that make it truly unique.

This year has also seen increasing recognition for Camerata’s work on the national stage. Our pioneering Camerata 360° Ruth Sutton Fellowship programme won an Association of British Orchestras Award, confirming Camerata’s reputation as a sector leader in nurturing the next generation of talent. Through this and our partnerships with the Royal Northern College of Music and beyond, we are helping young artists develop not just as performers but as rounded, creative individuals.

Equally inspiring is the impact Camerata is making beyond the concert hall. Across Greater Manchester, the Orchestra’s Music in Mind programme is now reaching even more people living with dementia and their carers. As I’ve joined sessions in our now-thriving network of Music Cafés, I’ve witnessed first-hand the joy, connection, and relief they bring. That impact is being amplified through the new Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia, which is building a powerful evidence base for how music can transform health and wellbeing.

Our communications and partnerships have also gone from strength to strength – from a Classic FM partnership that brings our work to national audiences, to creative campaigns that make classical music feel fresh, inclusive and alive. Each of these achievements reflects the imagination and drive that define Manchester Camerata.

None of this would be possible without an extraordinary group of people. Together, our musicians, our staff, my fellow trustees, and our supporters and partners have built on the strong foundations laid in recent years and turned strategy into visible, lasting impact.

I would like to pay special tribute to my predecessor, Stephen Dauncey, whose leadership over the past seven years helped to shape the vision we are now realising.

As we look ahead, our ambition is clear. We will keep growing and nurturing the talent that enables us to innovate in all parts of our programme – this will allow us to sustain and grow our impact. To the audiences, funders, volunteers, partners, and friends who have been part of this journey, thank you for believing in Manchester Camerata and helping us to make music that matters, music for change.

Nic Hailey CMG
Chair of Trustees

Nic Hailey, Chair