Orchestras Live is a charity that produces and coordinates life enhancing orchestral projects. The work of the charity is centred around the fact that everyone regardless of ability or socio-economic background, should be able to experience the rich benefits of orchestras.

Orchestras Live applied for a grant from the Hays Travel Foundation to fund their Our Music: Our Way project, a music project engaging children and young people from across Redcar and Cleveland. The aim of the project was to develop the musical and creative skills of children and young people, and give them the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience.

To prepare for the live performance, workshops began alongside a music leader, and two musicians from the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Together, the young people and musicians co-created 2 multi-movement pieces that were developed from the young people’s creative ideas, and showcased what they were proud of, and what they hoped for the future. The concert took place at Kirkleatham Walled Garden to an audience of family, friends and supporters of the project, where the audience were played original songs such as ‘Our Strength Remains’ and ‘I see a future here.’

The project was very well perceived by the participants with some stating that “It was one of the best nights of my life” and it was magical “having my ideas used in the final piece.”