Our schools’ projects use creativity to promote personal and social development within young people’s lives, by creating new music on each project and making sure everyone’s ideas are heard – and valued.

Facilitated by a resident team of Manchester Camerata musicians plus specially-trained composers, music therapists, theatre makers and visual artists, we encourage expression, communication and development of new skills through music making.

Young people can work towards a performance or a film to showcase their creations.

Our evaluation-learnt research shows that the work we do with schools raises both self-confidence and self-esteem, which impacts upon wider engagement and achievement in the school curriculum. Our creative involvement with young people is not simply an enrichment activity: it’s a core part of learning.

Schools

We work with pupils from Key Stage 2 up to Key Stage 4 and projects are specially designed to fit with the school curriculum. Pupils immerse themselves in a particular theme (ranging from the environment to the Second World War) and learn how to create lyrics, melodies and harmonies to form their own songs, guided by a resident composer and Manchester Camerata musician.

These new pieces are then performed alongside the orchestra at events or concerts, and even turned into animations or short films.

Some schools take part in intergenerational projects, working in conjunction with care homes in their area to help strengthen community connections.

We also provide CPD training resources for teachers on many of our projects, and look to leave a legacy of our work with the teachers, to ensure that music-making remains embedded throughout everyday school life.

Music Education Hubs

Manchester Camerata collaborates with Music Education Hubs across the North of England, working with groups of schools to create pieces which are performed alongside the orchestra.

Arts Award and Artsmark

We offer young people the opportunity to complete an Arts Award as part of a Camerata in the Community project and are also Artsmark Partners, supporting schools to achieve Artsmark status and show their commitment to the arts.