Introducing Our New Trustees and General Manager
Declan Kennedy, Helen Wallace, Nick Trygstad and Ruth Gibson
Strong leadership and a team with a shared vision for the future of the arts is absolutely essential to Manchester Collective’s development and growth at this time. We’re very excited to welcome to our company our first, full-time General Manager, as well as three amazing creative practitioners – and critical friends – who join our Board of Trustees. Meet Declan, Helen, Nick and Ruth. As well as a brief introduction, we asked each one of them to share a piece of music that’s changed them…
Declan Kennedy, General Manager
Declan joins Manchester Collective from the BBC, where he started life as a Music Librarian, before going on to work for the BBC Proms and BBC Philharmonic in Salford, as their Orchestra & Projects Manager. Alongside this, he has been working with British conductor John Wilson and is also the Orchestra Manager of Sinfonia of London. Originally from Ireland, Declan grew up in Belfast and studied Music at Jesus College, Cambridge.
“Since I moved to Manchester, it's been awesome watching how the Collective has thrived and connected with diverse audiences. I'm excited to join a devoted team that's really probing what it means to be an arts organisation and its role in society.”
Daft Punk — Giorgio by Moroder
“I love the concept of this track and the story it tells – it’s a kind of musical history lesson, narrated by Giorgio Moroder through an autobiographical account of his life. Moroder really pushed musical boundaries and brought the sound of the synthesiser into the mainstream – you can hear his influence across all sorts of genres, from disco right through to modern EDM. Moroder’s musical journey is so eclectic and the song is a great homage by Daft Punk to his life and influence on music.“
Helen Wallace, Trustee
Helen Wallace is Executive & Artistic Director of Kings Place in London. She had a career as a music writer, broadcaster and editor, taught cello and Kodaly musicianship, and was creative consultant to Kings Place before becoming Programme Director.
“I’ve been so inspired by the work of this group over the last few years, both individually and as a collective. The level of creativity and thoughtfulness is an example – and a challenge – to the whole sector.”
Igor Stravinsky — Symphonies of Wind Instruments
“I’ll never forget the first moment those strange, piercing calls broke into an expectant silence. I must have been about 12. Who can ever tire of its glassy beauty, its ancient-contemporary atmosphere? Like all Stravinsky, it’s a sacred chorale of some lost civilisation, and the earthiest of dances. All that in eight minutes!”
Nick Trygstad, Trustee
Nick is a cellist and educator. Originally from Minneapolis, he moved to Manchester in 1998 to pursue his musical studies. Nick has held the position of principal cello in Manchester’s Hallé Orchestra for 15 years, as well as teaching at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music for the past 10 years.
“I’m really excited to join the Collective. The team behind it has such a clear vision of how they want to connect with audiences, as well as the passion and belief that the diverse music they play is relevant to all.”
Aaron Copland — Appalachian Spring
“I listened to this endlessly as a teenager. For me, the music is calling people to be compassionate and empathetic, and to seek justice with honesty and truth. Sorry if that sounds pretentious… But it is about connecting to each other as human beings, imperfect, as we are.”
Ruth Gibson, Trustee
Ruth Gibson is a violist and teacher. As a versatile performer, she is Principal Violist of Aurora Orchestra and member of Ensemble 360, Manchester Collective and City of London Sinfonia. Her energetic and passionate approach to music making extends to her teaching across Europe.
“It's been incredibly exciting to perform with Manchester Collective over the last few years. I look forward to bringing my own perspective and insight to the undoubtedly exciting road ahead.”
“I remember falling instantly in love with Thomas Adès’ Arcadiana. Up until then I had been immersed in the more traditional classical repertoire and I was just so excited (and quite shocked when trying to keep up with the score!) at the prospect of delving into it. The music is refined and raw, subtle and confronting. It’s full of imagination and intensity.”