Education matters.
The cultural landscape in the UK is changing very rapidly - budgets are tight, orchestras are evolving, and graduates from conservatoires are required (and assumed) to have a set of skills under their belts that are more diverse than ever.
We’re really excited to be presenting three brand new partnerships in 2019/20, with three of the finest conservatoires in the UK. In their own way, each of these partnerships aims to equip students with skills and experiences that fall a little outside of the ordinary (because, you never know when someone will ask you start singing in the middle of an aria for strings by Heinrich Biber).
Each of these schemes has been designed from the ground up to leave room for change and development - as we inevitably learn from our partners and participants, we will keep evolving the work that we deliver. This is a new string to our bow, and we can’t wait to get started.
Adam Szabo
Chief Executive
ROYAL CONSERVETOIRE OF
SCOTLAND Glasgow
The Quartet Programme: 2019 - 2022
This year, Manchester Collective begin a flagship three-year programme in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, geared towards the mentoring of string quartets that wish to expand their future careers beyond traditional pathways in classical music.
Entry to the scheme will be staggered, and selected quartets will participate for two years. The programme of work will cover modules including:
The role of physical space in performance
How to speak with audiences about classical music
Digital marketing and communications
Fundraising
Competitions and prizes
Score reading
Music and film
Business Development 2019/20
RCS have also commissioned the Collective to deliver a set of workshops on business skills and development, drawing on their own experience as a cultural startup. Chief Executive Adam Szabo will deliver sessions inspired by Manchester Collective’s rise to prominence. Workshops will cover topics including market research, audience segmentation, cultural business models, the UK funding ecosystem, technology and music, and digital communications.
ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF
MUSIC AND DRAMA Cardiff
Residency: September 2019
To kick off our 2019/20 Season, Manchester Collective will take up a week long residency at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The string quartet of the Collective, alongside African folk trio Chesaba, will deliver a set of workshops, sessions, and open rehearsals as part of our “Sirocco” project in Wales.
Work to be covered includes:
“Freedom in Music” - performance masterclasses with Abel Selaocoe and Rakhi Singh
Vocal workshops for incoming 1st year Bachelor of Music students
Open rehearsals for “Sirocco”, including commentary by MC Directors Adam Szabo and Rakhi Singh
“A New Career in Music” - professional development workshops for Masters students, covering freelancing in the 21st century, alternative performance practise, recording, curation, and building a career that doesn’t fit the classical mould
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE
OF MUSIC Manchester
Orchestra Lab: November 2019
Where do we come from? Where are we going?
This year, Manchester Collective bring their trademark “radical human experiences” to RNCM for the very first time, in a collaborative programme exploring the infinite possibilities of the 21st century musical landscape. Over the course of a week long residency at RNCM, Rakhi Singh (MC Music Director) and Suzy Willson (Clod Ensemble Artistic Director) will work with students to devise a completely new, immersive musical performance.
Book Tickets
Manchester / Thu 14 November, 13.15
Royal Northern College of Music
Creative Team
Rakhi Singh Co-Director
Suzy Willson Co-Director
Adam Szabo Co-Director
Paul Clark Composer
Repertoire
Bach Chorales (selected)
Vivaldi Four Seasons (selected movements)
Ligeti Métamorphosen nocturnes (selected excerpts)
Clark New Work (World Premiere)
Performance Experience Scheme: June 2020
For the final part of our collaboration with RNCM, the Collective will be coming in to the College to conduct a set of string auditions. One outstanding student will be selected by the end of the process, and will join Manchester Collective for our Enescu Octet tour in June 2020. In addition to rehearsing and performing with the Collective on tour, the successful applicant will be paired with a mentor and have the opportunity to participate in 1:1 sessions covering musicianship, practical career development skills, and chamber performance.
Book Tickets
Enescu Octet On Tour
UK Tour / 18-27 June, 2020
Repertoire
Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major
Panufnik Modlitwa
Tenney Koan
Tavener The Lamb
Enescu String Octet in C Major, Op. 7
