Liverpool Philharmonic in Barrow is a three-year partnership which sees the UK’s oldest Orchestra bring world-class live orchestral music to Arts Council England Priority Place, Barrow-in-Furness. This season will also see the implementation of a series of learning initiatives delivered in partnership with the Cumbria Music Education Hub and Liverpool Philharmonic’s award-winning learning team to increase young people’s access to live orchestral music.

Michael Eakin, Chief Executive, Liverpool Philharmonic said: “The response from audiences in Barrow has been incredible and we’re delighted to continue working alongside our partners to bring a diverse programme of concerts, learning and community activity. We’ve seen first-hand the distinctive cultural heritage of the area and are proud to be a part of the communities cultural offering. Both our staff and musicians have been blown away by the welcome and enthusiasm for live orchestral music and we can’t wait to present this exciting new season of music.” 

Since January, Liverpool Philharmonic have performed over 20 times in 11 different venues across the area, with over 1,500 local people attending performances. They have worked closely with a wide range of community partners including Art Gene, BarrowFull, Barrow Library, Barrow Market, Cumbria Music Education Hub, Dock Museum, Full of Noises, North West Music Academy, The Forum, Westmorland & Furness Council as well as care homes across town. Liverpool Philharmonic are also currently working closely with teachers in Barrow to develop an exciting programme for children and young people youth programme to enrich music education through workshops and live performances in schools.

The season opens at The Forum on Friday 11 October as part of Barrow Music Week. Conducted by Chloe Rooke, the Orchestra will perform works by Prokofiev and Mozart and will be joined by composer and sitar player Jasdeep Singh Degun who alongside tabla virtuoso Harkiret Bahra will perform his uplifting sitar concerto Arya, before children from Barrow primary schools join the Orchestra for a special performance of George Harrison’s ‘Within You Without You’.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic musician Helena Mackie will be taking centre stage in Mozart’s Oboe Concerto on Friday 29 November at The Forum. Conducted by Karel Deseure the Orchestra will also perform works by Mendelssohn, Ravel and Poulenc.

Following the success of the hugely popular Dementia-Friendly and Under-5s concerts, presenter Claire Henry will return with members of the Orchestra to Barrow Library. ‘Dementia Friendly Concert: By The Fireside’ is a concert of popular classics designed to be an informal, engaging and enjoyable concert for people living with dementia, along with their friends, family and carers. Taking place on Friday 31 January it will feature works by De Falla, Handel and Vaughan Williams. ‘Under-5’s Concert: The Musical Professor’ will introduce the youngest audiences to the different sounds of the Orchestra through lively storytelling and musical fun on Saturday 1 February.

Friday 21 March, Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan returns to Barrow to lead the Orchestra in an all-Beethoven programme: ‘Beethoven in Barrow’. Joining them is soloist Veronika Eberle who’ll perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto before Domingo and the Orchestra take on the mighty Eroica symphony. Domingo will also be appearing at Barrow’s Festival of Colours on Saturday 22 March in ‘Conducting Showdown!’ A free, drop-in event for audiences of all ages to come and learn all about conducting and orchestral music from some of the best in the business.

Liverpool Philharmonic in Barrow is supported by Arts Council England, the partnership represents a significant cultural investment in Barrow and places Liverpool Philharmonic and its musicians at the heart of Barrow’s musical life. The programme is developed in collaboration with arts and community partners in Barrow including Westmorland & Furness Council and Cumbria Music Education Hub. 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.