Here We Are is about building deeper connections in every corner of the region. This year, we’re growing the project even further, collaborating with both new and familiar faces across the boroughs to ensure world-class music is accessible to everyone.

Alongside our free community shows, the series includes two special ticketed headline performances. We’re also opening the doors of our home – The Monastery, for open rehearsals in the lead-up to our headline concert.

Across 14 shows, workshops, pop-up performances and open rehearsals, you’ll experience music from our world-class orchestral musicians and internationally leading artists, including conductor Christoph Altstaedt and pianist, and our Artistic Partner, Ethan Loch.

There is something for everyone: from family-friendly events and youth collaborations to tailored sessions for people living with dementia. Watch this space for more information coming soon.

As part of our Here We Are Festival, Manchester Camerata returns to our home- The Monastery, Manchester for a classical concert that connects music across nearly 800 years and explores what happens when composers break the rules.

It begins with Pérotin’s Viderunt Omnes, a hypnotic soundworld from the Middle Ages that still feels radical today. From there, we move through shifting ideas of time, harmony and listening, including Charles Ives’ The Unanswered Question, where strings, solo trumpet and woodwinds inhabit completely different worlds.

At the centre of the concert is a new work by Alan Williams, created with and inspired by carers from across Greater Manchester, a piece rooted in real voices and lived experience, shaped with our friends at The University of Salford.

We’re also welcoming back pianist Ethan Loch, our Artistic Partner, for his fourth appearance with Manchester Camerata and second in the Great Nave of The Monastery, joining conductor Christoph Altstaedt for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 – the work that marked Beethoven out as a composer determined to do things differently.

The programme closes with Terry Riley’s In C, a landmark of minimalism built from simple repeating patterns that gradually shift and evolve, inviting performers and listeners into a shared sense of time and space.

Band A (£3-£27.50) >

Band B (£3-£22.50) >

Band C (£3-£17.50) >

Programme

• Pérotin Viderunt Omnes
• Alan Williams and Carers from Greater Manchester (Angela Ashpool, Angela Massey, Jo Nicholson, Caroline Slifkin, Rose Edwards, Colette Travis, Jacqueline Jones, Helen Beaumont, Sonia Roczniak-Gulzar) They Are Our Life
• Charles Ives The Unanswered Question
• Terry Riley In C
• Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3

Performed by

• Ethan Loch Piano
• Christoph Altstaedt Conductor
• Manchester Camerata

RNCM Conducting Fellow Jacobus de Jager leads Manchester Camerata in this live classical concert, travelling from the Classical period to the present day with orchestral works by Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, and featuring the UK premiere of a new work by Arthur Feder.

Tchaikovsky, though composing in the late 19th century, admired the elegance and clarity of the Classical style, particularly drawing inspiration from Mozart, whom he described as “a sunny genius”. During a period of personal turmoil, he turned to the serenity of 18th-century music for emotional refuge. His Variations on a Rococo Theme exemplifies this influence, showcasing an ornate yet refined style that reflects the Rococo aesthetic. RNCM musician Chloe Chen joins Manchester Camerata as cello soloist.

Beethoven’s celebrated Symphony No. 3, the Eroica Symphony, is widely regarded as a landmark in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras, breaking boundaries within the symphonic form. Subtitled “composed to celebrate the remembrance of a great man”, the work was originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, whom Beethoven believed embodied the ideals of the French Revolution. However, after Napoleon became Emperor, a disillusioned Beethoven reportedly tore up the title page. The Eroica title may therefore refer to Napoleon as he once was, or more broadly to the concept of heroism.

Programme

• Arthur Feder Homestead
• Tchaikovsky Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations
• Beethoven Symphony No.3 Eroica

Performed by

• Jacobus de Jager Conductor 
• Chloe Chen Cello
• Manchester Camerata

Book tickets from £3-£12.50 >

Need a break in your week? Join Manchester Camerata at our home, The Monastery in Gorton, for our popular Lunchtime Concert series. Proudly supported by our friends at Classic FM, these intimate, inclusive, one-hour performances offer a world-class musical escape for all.

This lunchtime concert, curated by our leader Caroline Pether, brings together music of intimacy, colour and reflection. Lili Boulanger’s gently expressive Nocturne opens the programme, followed by Ravel’s luminous String Quartet in F major, a work of clarity, warmth and invention and one of the most performed and recorded works in the chamber music repertoire. Osvaldo Golijov’s Tenebrae closes the concert with music of quiet stillness and profound atmosphere.

Programme

• Lili Boulanger, arr. Will Newell Nocturne 
• Maurice Ravel String Quartet in F Major 
• Osvaldo Golijov Tenebrae 

Performed by

• Manchester Camerata

Book Tickets from £3-£37.50 >

Leave the bustle of everyday life behind and experience The Lark Ascending with Manchester Camerata, recommended by Classic FM. Under the baton of our esteemed Music Director, Gábor Takács-Nagy, and featuring our brilliant Leader, Caroline Pether, as soloist, this live classical concert will transport you into forests, fields, and open skies, celebrating the natural world and the feeling of pure joy.

Imagine a clear day in the English countryside: fields stretching under a blue sky, hedgerows alive with birdsong, and a gentle warmth in the air. From its very first note, Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending will carry you into this dreamlike place. Inspired by George Meredith’s poem about a skylark soaring ever higher above an English meadow, the music follows the bird as it rises into the sky, pouring out an endless song before disappearing from view. Caroline Pether takes centre stage in this atmospheric portrait of nature, performing one of Britain’s most beloved works.

For a moment, the landscape shifts as a bustling city comes into view. Mozart’s Prague Symphony is bright and full of life, written for a city that welcomed him as a hero, alive with warmth, brilliance, and invention. This life-affirming music brings feelings of energy, optimism, and celebration before the countryside opens out once more.

The journey then leads us to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, the “Pastoral”, one of the most vivid celebrations of nature ever written. A passionate walker, Beethoven spent hours escaping Vienna for the surrounding countryside, sketchbook in hand, gathering musical ideas among forests, fields, and streams, transforming them into one of his most beloved works.

The Pastoral unfolds almost like a day spent outdoors. Gentle melodies evoke open landscapes and flowing water, while woodwind instruments imitate birdsong. A lively village gathering is interrupted by one of classical music’s most dramatic storms, as thunder rolls through the orchestra before giving way to sunshine and calm. Yet Beethoven insisted that the symphony was “more the expression of feeling than painting.” Rather than simply depicting nature, he captures the emotions it stirs within us: wonder, joy, peace, and gratitude.

As autumn deepens and the year begins to draw in, take one final breath outdoors, embrace the beauty of the British countryside, and let yourself be carried somewhere far beyond the everyday with this Classic FM-recommended concert experience.

Programme

• Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending 
• Mozart Symphony No. 38 ‘Prague’
• Beethoven Symphony No.6 ‘Pastoral’

Performed by

• Gábor Takács-Nagy Conductor
• Caroline Pether Soloist
• Manchester Camerata

Book tickets from £3-£12.50 >

Need a break in your week? Join Manchester Camerata at our home, The Monastery in Gorton, for our popular Lunchtime Concert series. Proudly supported by our friends at Classic FM, these intimate, inclusive, one-hour performances offer a world-class musical escape for all.

This restorative Lunchtime Concert is programmed by our Principal Cello, Hannah Roberts. Check back soon for more information on this programme.

Programme

• Edvard Grieg, arr. Gwyn Seymour Holberg Suite 
• Nick Martin Lamentoso 
• Fauré, arr. Christian Elliott Nocturne No. 4
• Christmas Medley
• Edward Elgar, arr. Simon Parkin Cello Concerto, Movement 3
• Eric Clapton, arr. Simon Parkin Layla

Performed by

• Manchester Camerata

Few pieces of music bring people together quite like Handel’s Messiah. Join Manchester Camerata for this unforgettable Christmas concert, celebrating one of the greatest masterpieces in classical music.

More than 280 years after its premiere, this extraordinary work remains at the heart of the Christmas season. From moments of quiet reflection to the uplifting power of the Hallelujah Chorus, Messiah continues to captivate audiences with its drama, beauty and timeless message of hope.

We’re once again joining forces with Laurence Cummings, one of the world’s leading Handel specialists and Music Director of The Academy of Ancient Music. His energy, insight and deep connection to this music make him the perfect guide.

In Manchester, we’ll be joined by our artistic partners Kantos Chamber Choir, whose rich and expressive sound brings another dimension to Handel’s iconic score. Set within the ethereal surroundings of The Great Nave at The Monastery in Manchester, this promises to be a truly unforgettable festive experience.

We’ll also be taking Messiah to Sheffield City Hall on 5 December, where we’ll be joined by Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus for a special performance of this seasonal favourite.

Join us for an evening of pure festive joy, experiencing some of the most inspiring music ever written.

This show is guaranteed to sell out, so book early to avoid missing out!

Band A (£3-£37.50) >

Band B (£3-£35) >

Band C (£3-£25) >

Band D (£3-£17.50)>

Programme

• Handel Messiah

Performed by

• Laurence Cummings Conductor
• Georgie Malcolm Soprano
• Dominic Mattos Countertenor
• Guy Elliot Tenor
• Peter Edge Baritone
• Kantos Chamber Choir
• Manchester Camerata

Book Now (£3-£35) >

For us, it doesn’t feel like Christmas until this concert!

Widely regarded as one of Manchester’s favourite festive events for the whole family, Festive Happening captures everything we love about the Christmas season. In partnership with our friends and Artistic Partner, the acclaimed AMC Gospel Choir, this uplifting celebration takes us on an unforgettable journey through the sounds and spirit of Christmas.

From powerful gospel performances and beloved festive classics to moments of laughter, reflection, and pure joy, this heartwarming show brings people together to celebrate the magic of the season. Whether it’s your first visit or an annual tradition, this experience will leave you feeling inspired, uplifted, and full of Christmas love.

At the heart of the production is AMC Gospel Choir, one of the UK’s leading live gospel choirs. Renowned for their exceptional talent, soulful harmonies, and powerful stage presence, each choir member brings their own unique energy to create an unforgettable performance.

Join us for an evening of festive music, celebration, and community, and discover why so many families make Festive Happening part of their Christmas tradition year after year.

Book early; this popular show sells out every year!

Doors open at 2pm.

Programme

• A variety of festive gospel favourites

Performed by

• AMC Gospel Choir
• Manchester Camerata

Inspired by her lifelong love of Bach’s ‘really juicy’ music, composer Caroline Shaw has forged a musical voice that is both daringly modern and deeply rooted in tradition. Having grown up playing Bach’s solo violin partitas, Shaw has drawn on their structure and spirit for her Pulitzer Prize-winning Partita for 8 Voices.

In this performance, Kantos Chamber Choir places J.S. Bach’s Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin in direct conversation with Shaw’s visionary work; two composers in dialogue across three centuries.

Joined by the outstanding string soloists of Manchester Camerata, Kantos presents an exhilarating programme of rhythmic energy, intensity, and beauty, exploring the striking connections between two extraordinary musical minds.

Programme

• Caroline Shaw Its Motion Keeps
• Caroline Shaw Partita for 8 Singers I. Allemande
• J. S. Bach Violin Partita No.2 I. Allemande 
• Caroline Shaw Partita for 8 Singers II. Sarabande 
• J. S. Bach Violin Partita No.2 III. Sarabande 
• Caroline Shaw Partita for 8 Singers III. Courante 
• J. S. Bach Violin Partita No.2 II. Courante 
• Caroline Shaw Partita for 8 Singers IV. Passacaglia 
• J. S. Bach Ich lasse dich nicht
• J. S. Bach O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded 
• Caroline Shaw Punctum 
• Caroline Shaw To the Hands 
• J. S. Bach Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied 
  

Performed by

• Caroline Pether Solist
• Alex Mitchell Soloist
• Kantos Chamber Choir
• Manchester Camerata

The multi-award-winning jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia brings us the world premiere of her first-ever cello concerto, written especially for Manchester Camerata’s Principal Cellist, Hannah Roberts, and created in collaboration with Factory International.

A pillar of the British contemporary jazz scene, Nubya Garcia released her debut album, Source, in 2020 to widespread critical acclaim, earning a Mercury Prize nomination. She has since toured internationally, performed at major festivals including Glastonbury, and supported Khruangbin on their sold-out US tour. Her 2024 album Odyssey expands her orchestral and genre-blending sound. A 2026 MOBO Awards ‘Best Jazz Act’ nominee, Garcia tours globally, performs at major festivals, has composed for TV, and has collaborated with brands including Burberry, Fossil and Vogue.

It has long been Nubya’s dream to write a cello concerto, and we’re proud to be making that happen with our Principal Cellist, Hannah Roberts. Having studied with William Pleeth at the Yehudi Menuhin School and with Ralph Kirshbaum at the RNCM, she has won numerous prizes and awards and is considered one of the UK’s leading cellists. She now takes centre stage as the soloist in this landmark new work.

Following a sold-out performance in Manchester in 2025, Nubya returns with the world premiere of a major new commission, not one to be missed.

Programme

• Nubya Garcia Cello Concerto
• Rest of programme to be announced soon

Performed by

• Hannah Roberts Cello
• Manchester Camerata