Chair’s Introduction
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.
Concerts
Throughout 2024-25, Manchester Camerata has continued to demonstrate the power of music to inspire, innovate, and make human connections. This has been a year defined by artistic ambition, creative collaboration, and a deep commitment to nurturing talent and innovation in our programme.
Community
This year has been defined by delivery and meaningful impact, demonstrating at scale how music transforms lives, improves wellbeing, and strengthens communities.
Our first full year as the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia marks a significant achievement and major step forward in our mission. With twelve Music Cafés now open across all ten boroughs, and a further 8 committed over the next year, they are providing spaces of connection, creativity, and joy for people living with dementia and their carers.
Fundraising
Manchester Camerata’s artistic and social impact is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of our donors, supporters, and partners who share our belief in music’s power to change lives. In 2024-25, we have been translating strategy into measurable growth and meaningful impact.
Communications
In 2024-25, Manchester Camerata’s voice reached further and resonated with more people than ever before. This has been a period of creative communications, brand visibility, and record-breaking engagement. Our work in 2024-25 demonstrated that our message of accessibility and excellence is connecting powerfully with audiences far and near.
Governance
Robust governance remains the cornerstone of Manchester Camerata’s success.
2024–25 has been a year of succession, consolidation, and continuity – ensuring that the foundations laid in recent years now support sustainable growth and confident leadership for the future.
Conclusion
As we look back on 2024-25, Manchester Camerata stands as a beacon of what a 21st-century orchestra can achieve. The strategic investments made in recent years – in people, partnerships, systems, and vision – are now yielding tangible results. Our musicians are performing at the highest level, our communities are feeling the benefits of music-led wellbeing, and our supporters and partners are helping us grow with confidence and purpose.
This has been a year when we demonstrated that our strategy works and has generated momentum that will carry us into the next stage of our journey. From concert halls to community centres, from international stages to local Music Cafés, the impact of Camerata’s work continues to deepen and expand.
Building on renewed leadership, a campaign for a new Future Fund, and an ever-stronger artistic and social mission, Manchester Camerata accelerates into 2025-26, pushing forward the next decade of innovation, excellence, and music that makes a difference.
