A new generation of music lovers
We are delighted to announce that we will be working with Todmorden-based music charity Music for the Many in a three-year partnership, supported with a grant from Calderdale Council’s Culture Fund.
We share Music for the Many’s belief that every child should have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument or sing if they want to, regardless of their background.
The charity offers individual and small-group instrumental tuition on donated instruments free of charge to children in Todmorden’s schools, working to remove the social, cultural and financial barriers to music education
By working together, Todmorden Orchestra and Music for the Many will create inspiring and interactive opportunities for children and young people to connect with and be involved with live classical music in the town.
The grant from Calderdale helps us to jointly present an annual programme of concerts, workshops and schools music activities over three years, including:
Interactive family concerts
Our ever-popular family concert will return in January each year with a programme of live orchestral music hosted by a professional presenter. Each year two classes of children from Todmorden schools will take part in workshops ahead of the concert, and they will participate in a piece during the concert. Free tickets will be offered to each child involved in the schools workshop together with a parent / guardian to come with them. Low cost tickets will be available to other families.
Youth orchestra
Music for the Many will develop a youth orchestra and choir in Todmorden with a themed summer concert supported by players from Todmorden Orchestra. We will also provide members of the youth orchestra with opportunities to take part in some of our rehearsals.
South Asian music and dance performances
Music for the Many will host a concert featuring professional South Asian soloists and orchestral Bollywood arrangements.
John Moorhouse, Chair of Todmorden Orchestra, comments:
“Our aim is to reach as much of the local Calderdale community as possible, and we’re excited to be working with Music for the Many to encourage children to develop a lifelong interest in music. We hope that the Todmorden children taking part in this project over the next three years will be inspired to become members of Todmorden Orchestra in the future, so we can continue to support live classical music in the town for many years to come. We are very grateful to Calderdale Council Cultural Fund for their support and look forward to a long-term partnership with Music for the Many.”
Daniel Bath, Director of Music for the Many, says:
“Music has unique power to build community. It helps to improve confidence and wellbeing, enabling us to communicate and interact better with those around us and to express emotion. Instrumental tuition also has a positive impact on children’s literacy and numeracy skills”
“Music is an essential part of being human. All children deserve an equal opportunity to access these experiences, and this grant from Calderdale Council will help us to bring these opportunities to more of Todmorden’s children and young people and to our whole community. We hope this will be the start of a long partnership with Todmorden Orchestra.”
