Tech Firm And Orchestra Work In Harmony To Inspire Manchester’s Young Athletes

Gorton, Stretford and Moss Side teens learn lessons from classical music and business

The worlds of technology, music and sport collided last week in a celebration of excellence at the HQ of Manchester’s leading web hosting company, UKFast.

As part of the firm’s transformation of the formally neglected building in Hulme into a vibrant tech hub, CEO Lawrence Jones has developed an auditorium, not only for the enjoyment of UKFast employees and their families but for the enjoyment of the local community as a whole.

Manchester Camerata was the first North West organisation to make use of the new space, free-of-charge. The rehearsals did the trick and the unforgettable sold out concert that proceeded was attended by Radio 6 Music’s Mary Anne Hobbs. You can listen to an exclusive interview with Giovanni Sollima on BBC Radio 6 Music with Mary Anne Hobbs, at 1:44:42 of her Saturday morning breakfast show. The excerpt of the stunning Vibrez which follows is a captivating piece that Camerata had the pleasure to programme in 2011.

Also present to enjoy the music were former Common Wealth gold medallist Diane Modahl and a group of young athletes from local schools and colleges in Stretford, Moss Side and Gorton, currently taking part in clubs set up by the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation.

“I’m a creative at heart,” Jones revealed. “I grew up playing two things: the piano, and rugby, so I know the value that both of these disciplines can have in shaping you as you grow up.

“I hope that the young people I spoke to were able to see how focus and commitment have aided me – and the Camerata musicians – in developing our skillsets and achieving our goals.”

After being shown around the building and watching the orchestra rehearse, the young athletes were treated to a discussion with Giovanni Guzzo, Camerata’s Leader. Guzzo then invited the youngsters to see Camerata in concert, providing them with complimentary tickets for the orchestra’s performance at the Royal Northern College of Music on Friday 8 November.

Following the event, Guzzo commented: “We would very much like to thank Lawrence Jones and the UKFast team for inviting us along today, and for their continued support.”

“It was a real pleasure to meet the young athletes today and share our music with them in such inspiring new surroundings. A central part of Manchester Camerata’s work is our innovative, vibrant and award-winning learning and participation work and it was wonderful for us to find out more about the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation.”

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