Liverpool Philharmonic announces groundbreaking new partnership with Barrow-in-Furness

• Providing unrivaled access to orchestral live music, this innovative partnership offers a holistic model of working across performance, learning and community partnerships
• The partnership is developed in collaboration with the outstanding arts and community partners in Barrow and inspired by the individuals and communities who make up this fantastic town
• The partnership launches on 20 January 2024 at the Forum Theatre with a performance of Beethoven Symphony No 5 with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan
• A series of pop-up chamber music concerts, dementia-friendly performances, and music-making events for under-5s are featured throughout the spring and summer
• Working with Cumbria Music Education Hub to increase access to high-quality group singing for young people and bring inspirational live music-making to schools across Barrow
• Supported by Arts Council England, the partnership represents a significant cultural investment in Barrow

Liverpool Philharmonic in Barrow will place Liverpool Philharmonic and its musicians at the heart of Barrow’s musical life. The programme will involve close collaboration with Westmorland & Furness Council, Cumbria Music Education Hub and the outstanding cultural, learning and community partners across Barrow to complement their work. The partnership will produce a series of concerts, community events, music-making projects and educational activities that will give more people the opportunity to enjoy live orchestral music in their local community.

Liverpool Philharmonic’s extensive learning programme is recognised as a national leader in its field in quality, reach and impact on local communities. Over the next three years, Liverpool Philharmonic will work with Cumbria Music Education Hub to offer visits and inspirational performances to every primary school in Barrow. The partnership will also include co-designed creative residencies with secondary schools, supporting young people as music creators and performers, and enhancing general music education. In addition, Cumbria Music Education Hub and Liverpool Philharmonic will work collaboratively to embed a singing culture in all primary schools and to boost group singing for children and young people across the town.

Upcoming events include:

• Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Opening Concert at the Forum Theatre featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No 5 on Saturday 20 January conducted by Chief Conductor, Domingo Hindoyan
• By The Sea – a dementia-friendly concert performed by members of the Orchestra on Tuesday 26 March at Barrow Library. Works include popular classics Mendelssohn, Debussy and Saint-Saëns alongside traditional British favourites created especially for people living with dementia, along with their friends, family and carers
• Party Time – a concert for under 5s performed by members of the Orchestra on Wednesday 27 March at Barrow Library
• Four Seasons of Buenos Aires ­- violinist and Liverpool Philharmonic Artist in Residence Simone Lamsma leads a concert featuring works by Pärt, Bach, Grieg, Piazzolla and Sarasate with the Strings of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on Friday 7 June in the Town Hall
• A Little Night Music - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra perform works including Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music) and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 on Friday 21 June in Saint Mary’s Church
• Souvenir de Florence – Domingo Hindoyan conducts the Orchestra performing works by Rossini, Tchaikovsky, and Bizet on Sunday 30 June at The Forum

Barrow was identified as one of fifteen priority places in the North by Arts Council England for significant creative cultural investment that will play a key role in levelling up across the North. Liverpool Philharmonic, which reaches more people than any music organisation outside London, will present the critically acclaimed Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in concert, and an extensive programme of community engagement and music education to support cultural development in Barrow.

Michael Eakin, Chief Executive, Liverpool Philharmonic said: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to bring the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to Barrow over the next three years, in a diverse programme of concerts, learning activity and community work. Barrow has a distinctive cultural heritage with many fantastic creative organisations whom we’ll work with to create more opportunities for people to enjoy music in their local area.”

Domingo Hindoyan, Chief Conductor, Liverpool Philharmonic 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.”

Jen Cleary, Director North, Arts Council England said: “We know that arts and culture can change people’s lives and Our Let’s Create strategy wants everyone to have access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences wherever they live. Barrow in Furness is one of our Priority Places for investment, and I’m very pleased that the Liverpool Philharmonic, one of our national portfolio organisations, will be working with cultural partners and the local community on these exciting plans for the next three years. I’m sure that the concerts, educational activities and community events will be enjoyed by everyone and it’s a fantastic opportunity for more people to experience live orchestral music.”

Councillor Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "We at Westmorland and Furness Council are delighted to be working in partnership with Liverpool Philharmonic. My own background is in the arts so I know just how the orchestra in residence will bring excitement, enjoyment, and new ideas to people of all ages in the community. 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."