After significant development and support from National Lottery Heritage Fund we now run our own extensive Learning Programme led by the renowned folk singer, Bella Hardy.
The programme is called the Guide to the World of Music, with content published on it’s own dedicated website.
We aim to celebrate, discover and explore the music of Manchester’s migrant communities through this programme, starting with Caribbean in 2019-20 and continuing on to South Asian and rural English and Irish in future years. The programme is being developed through partnerships with local schools, community groups and organisations.
The engagement element is based principally around the principles of traditional teaching methods including peer teaching, aural learning, singing and learning rhythm through traditional dance forms. Taking on board the principles of Dalcroze and Kodaly methods of music teaching.
In addition, we have along standing and well developed partnership with The Manchester College. With the expansion of the venue having now started (Nov 2020) we intend to expand out own activity to provide a programme of free to access music making for young people, and people from challenging circumstances, from across the ethnically diverse communities that we directly connect with across Greater Manchester.
In addition we are developing remote learning opportunities through digital output (see Digital Learning and Engagement section of this website).
- We provide heavily subsidized learning experiences for those with the means to contribute.
- We facilitate, with the support of funding and through partnerships, free learning experiences targeted at those who do not have the funds to contribute, especially focusing on the young and old.
- We provide, with the support of funding and through various partnerships, a range of exciting opportunities for emerging musicians, composers and songwriters through artist residencies, courses, masterclasses and performances.
- We provide a unique cultural offer for people of all ages from Manchester and the North West, with scope to engage in outreach projects, whilst also connecting local musicians with some of the global talent that passes through the venue.