9
Music Programme
School before we were joined by students from the Barratt Due Institute of Music, Oslo, for a day-long celebration of wind and percussion. The Chetham’s Chamber Orchestra also visited the Great Hall at Lancaster University. Joined by the Men of the Manchester Chamber Choir, and mezzo-soprano Margaret McDonald, they performed Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody whilst Chetham’s violinist, Lia Tang, performed Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No.1 in D Major, Op. 19. The orchestra then went on to perform at Duke’s Hall, Royal Academy of Music, to close the week.
Summer Term In July, we were thrilled to debut Music Course in The Stoller Hall for the very first time. Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra performed Haydn’s masterpiece The Creation with a trio of guest soloists from Gabrieli Consort & Players: soprano Raphaela Papadakis, tenor Andrew Tortise and bass Ashley Riches. The performance, conducted by Gabrieli’s Founder and Artistic Director, Paul McCreesh, was preceded by a massed rehearsal, led by members of Gabrieli, where members of the public were invited to sing or play along with the musicians. Our junior strings ensemble, Violetta, also visited a number of local primary schools during the week, performing to over 600 children from ages 5-11. Alongside music performances, the ensemble introduced their instruments to the audience and answered questions from the audience. To round off an incredibly busy week, the Chetham’s Concert Orchestra then performed The Sound of his Music: A Celebration of Richard Rodgers. Compered by television personality, Russell Grant, the orchestra performed some of the composer’s most popular songs with celebrated West End singers before travelling to Lichfield and Cheltenham Festivals for two further successful performances.