A Place In Camerata History

Saturday 26 May, 2012 was not only Manchester Camerata’s season finalé concert – it was also the culmination of a fascinating year long education project aimed at helping young people explore their locality through images and music.

Photographic collages, visual image mixing, visual art and songs created by primary schools across Cheshire, Ulverston, Doncaster and Stafford were show in an exhibition of work at The Bridgewater Hall before our season finale concert.

Taking inspiration from Camerata’s 2011/12 season theme of Portraits, young people have worked with composers, Camerata musicians and VJ artists, to create Portraits of Place in music, photographic collage and live visual image mixing.

Portraits of Place encouraged young people to reflect on their experiences of their locality, lives and what living in their area means to them, resulting in new music, song and visual art.

Portraits were shown from Ulverston, Chester, Stafford and Doncaster.

The project has drawn praise from participants across the region:

“It highlighted the power that music has and reminded me why I came into teaching – for those rare and special moments of life.” – Joanne Addy, Teacher, Kirk Sandall Jr School, Doncaster

“We are thrilled to have been chosen to work alongside Manchester Camerata during their visit to Doncaster.” – Adrian Bagnall, Head Teacher Kirk Sandall Jr School, Doncaster

“They loved it…thoroughly engaged throughout. We fed off their energy…” – Helen Quayle, Trumpet

“This sort of project can push dreams forward.” – Katy Hayley, Visual Artist

“We have all gained so much from it, The Camerata team were amazing and so hard working” – Emily Compton, Music Co-ordinator St Patrick’s Primary, Stafford

“All of the children thoroughly enjoyed the project, Children are more creative in their thinking now” – Emma Watson, Teacher St Patrick’s Primary, Stafford

“The artists were an inspiration. As an introduction to music and composition it was inspiring and no child struggled to participate. Since the project at least one has written his own song – they have gained self worth.’ – Mrs Tyson, Dee Point Primary, Chester