Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra partners with Barrow in live music boost

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has agreed a three-year partnership with Barrow-in-Furness, giving the town access to its live music and educational work. 

Supported by Arts Council England, it will allow a holistic model of working across performance, learning and community partnerships.

It will be launched on January 20 next year at the Forum Theatre, with a performance of Beethoven Symphony No 5 by the Liverpool Philharmonic, conducted by chief conductor Domingo Hindoyan.

Education will be at the forefront of the plans with Cumbria Music Education Hub, which will be working with Liverpool Philharmonic, increasing group singing sessions for young people and bringing live music-making to schools in Barrow-in-Furness.

A series of pop-up chamber music concerts, dementia-friendly performances and music-making events for under-fives will take place throughout the spring and summer.

Barrow-in-Furness was identified as one of 15 priority places in the north by the Arts Council for “significant creative cultural investment”, which will help in ’levelling up’ across the north, according to Liverpool Philharmonic.

The development is part of the Arts Council’s 10-year strategy announced in 2021. 

Liverpool Philharmonic’s chief executive Michael Eakin said: “We are 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 will work with to create more opportunities for people to enjoy music in their local area.”

Hindoyan added: “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.”