Liverpool Philharmonic announces partnership with Barrow-in-Furness
Florence Lockheart
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
The collaboration, set to last three years, will bring a series of concerts, community events and educational activities to the coastal Cumbrian town
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (Liverpool Philharmonic) has announced a new partnership with Arts Council England Priority Place Barrow-in-Furness. The collaboration, set to last three years, will offer the coastal Cumbrian town access to live orchestral music as well as boosting the work of Cumbria Music Education Hub to bring live music-making to schools across the town.
Taking a holistic approach to embedding itself in the town, Liverpool Philharmonic will work with community partners across Barrow including Westmorland & Furness Council and Cumbria Music Education Hub. The orchestra will officially launch the partnership on 20 January with a performance of Beethoven Symphony No 5 led by chief conductor Domingo Hindoyan at Barrow-in-Furness’ Forum Theatre.
Hindoyan said: ’The Orchestra and I are very happy to be bringing our love of music to Barrow. Music is for everyone and through our concerts, Youth Company, In Harmony and Music and Health programmes we have seen first-hand how music can transform lives. Our passion for music is at the heart of every one of our concerts, and we can’t wait to share this with everyone in Barrow.’
In partnership with Barrow-in-Furness, the orchestra will produce a series of concerts, community events and educational activities across the town as well as offering performances to every primary school in Barrow. The partnership will also see Liverpool Philharmonic take up creative residencies with secondary schools in the area, enhancing their music education and, with Cumbria Music Education Hub the orchestra will work to ‘embed a singing culture in all primary schools and to boost group singing for children and young people across the town’.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, cabinet member for Sustainable Communities and Localities at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: ‘Centuries of fascinating history throughout the Barrow Locality have built up a rich and unique cultural heritage, not least the industrial story still developing today, which has been and remains a foundation and inspiration for so much creativity. It will be wonderful to see this partnership enhance what is already happening and provide more chances for local people to enjoy high-quality cultural experiences in their communities.’
