Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

It’s that time of year again…get ready for our annual £1 ticket sale on Sunday 6 October.

For one day only, over 1,300 tickets to selected performances from orchestral to pop, folk and family concerts are available – all for just £1 per ticket!

Tickets are in person only, so head over to Liverpool Philharmonic Box Office on Sunday 6 October from 10:30am and get £1 tickets for a selection of fantastic events! They’ll be sold on a first come, first served basis, so make sure to get here early to avoid disappointment! Ticket sales are limited to 4 tickets per person.

We're greatly saddened to hear the news of the recent passing of country music icon, Kris Kristofferson

His was a life of many achievements, including winning the Grammy for Best Country Song in 1972 for his song, 'Help Me Make It Through the Night'. He'll be remembered for his leading role opposite Barbra Streisand in 'A Star is Born', as well as his part in the country music supergroup the Highwaymen who championed independent songwriting and producing in Nashville.

During his lifetime he was awarded entry into the Country Music Hall of Fame and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. We were honoured to host him at Philharmonic Hall in 2012.

As the largest music organisation in the city, hosting incredible events is central to Liverpool Philharmonic’s work. We’re currently looking for an Event Duty Manager who’ll make sure that our events run to the highest possible standard and that our customers always have a safe and enjoyable time with us.

Applications are due 12 noon on Monday 7th October 2024.
Find out more and apply here https://lnkd.in/gGq3GfX

In Harmony Liverpool were in Leeds last week and performed in the incredible Pianodrome at Leeds City Museum as part of the The Leeds International Piano Competition. They were joined by wonderful musicians from In Harmony Opera North.

The performance united musicians from In Harmony’s Youth Hubs and Primary programme for the first time since the In Harmony of the North project in 2019, as part of the In Harmony Liverpool 10th Birthday celebrations.

We are thrilled by Steve Rotheram’s Labour Party conference announcement yesterday for radical plans to ‘remix the music sector’.

The extensive plans include a recording and rehearsal space – which would become a new rehearsal home for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and a leading national facility for emerging and established artists. The "Abbey Road of the North” will be the only UK studio of its kind and capacity outside London.

Michael Eakin, Chief Executive of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, said “the centre will help secure the long-term sustainability of one of the country’s most important and forward-looking orchestras and music organisations. And it will make Liverpool uniquely strong in delivering true creative education opportunities in music for children and young people across our communities.”

Read more here:
https://liverpoolexpress.co.uk/liverpool-maps-out-masterplan-to-remix-music-city-status/

After a fantastic few days rehearsing with the finalists in Liverpool, to the competition final in Bradford, the Orchestra have now arrived in Gateshead to rehearse this afternoon’s concert with winner of the The Leeds International Piano Competition Jaeden Izik-Dzurko at the stunning The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.

It’s been a whirlwind but Domingo Hindoyan and the Orchestra have loved every second!

We are so proud to open The Cultural and Creative Industries Pavilion at The Labour Party Conference today with an introduction from Chief Executive, Michael Eakin and a unique orchestral performance from In Harmony Liverpool.

This is the first time that 40 of the UK’s leading creative organisations have come together to celebrate and showcase the impact of the Cultural and Creative Industries in political conference and we are delighted to platform the voices and talent of our young musicians.

Since 2009, In Harmony Liverpool has benefited over 4,000 children and families in Everton and Anfield. The programme uses orchestral music making to improve the life chances of children by increasing confidence, wellbeing, skills and resilience. Every child learns an instrument and creates orchestral music throughout their time at primary school, and over 1,800 children and young people aged 0-18 are learning music every week, free of charge.

Creativity enriches lives and supports wellbeing. It brings communities together and supports our towns and cities. We are delighted to come together today to showcase the impact and potential of our sector.

Huge thanks to Creative UK

Congratulations to Kai-Min Chang, who received the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Award at The Leeds International Piano Competition. The prize is a substantial commitment to commission a new work for Kai-Min to be performed at Philharmonic Hall in the coming seasons.

Just as the Leeds International Piano Competition seeks to renew and encourage new talent, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society has always been devoted to supporting new music throughout our 184-year history. We are delighted to present this award designed to marry new talent with new music.

Last April, Alim Beisembeyev, winner of the prize in the 2021 competition, performed the very successful Piano Concerto by renowned composer Eleanor Alberga.

Congratulations to all the finalists. We are excited to welcome this year's winner, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, to perform at Philharmonic Hall on 26 January 2025, and runners-up Junyan Chen and Khanh Nhi Luong, who will be performing with us as part of our Lunchtime Concerts in the Music Room on the 23 and 24 September 2024.

(c) Frances Marshall

Following more than 16 years as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society, Michael Eakin will be stepping down from the role in 2025.

On behalf of everyone at Liverpool Philharmonic, we want to express our gratitude to Michael for his exceptional leadership. His impact has been nothing short of transformative. Under Michael’s steady guidance and visionary approach, our mission to enhance and transform lives through music has been realised.

Michael leaves behind a legacy of artistic excellence and community impact that has cemented Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's position as a cornerstone of Liverpool's cultural landscape and a significant contributor to the UK's cultural scene.

Read more here: https://www.liverpoolphil.com/news/press-releases/details/royal-liverpool-philharmonics-chief-executive-michael-eakin-to-retire-in-2025

Look who just flew in! Domingo Hindoyan has a big task on his hands this week as he prepares the Orchestra for the The Leeds International Piano Competition finals. This morning, he studied over the 13 pieces that could be performed in the finals, but that of course all depends on the results of the semis tonight!

The Orchestra will head into rehearsals tomorrow and prepare to accompany each one of the five finalists on stage at St George’s Hall in Bradford on Friday and Saturday night. They'll then head to Gateshead on Sunday to perform with the newly crowned winner at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

It's today for our In Harmony programme, increasing access to music in North Liverpool through school activity, afterschool clubs, youth hubs and tot sessions! As another year kicks off, we're taking stock of our key achievements to date:

🌟We currently engage 1772 students across our In Harmony Program

🌟 We currently engage 154 students across our two youth hubs

🌟 We're proud to have 11 In Harmony students in Liverpool Philharmonic's Youth Academy Orchestra

🌟 We also have alumni in the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choirs and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

🌟 Our In Harmony Chamber Stars are taking part in the The Leeds International Piano Competition performing at the Pianodrome in Leeds City Museum this Thursday (2-3pm) as well as at the opening of the Labour Party Conference this Sunday (11am).

Here's to another great year of music education!

📸Gareth Jones

With the 2024 Rushworth Composition Prize currently open for applications, we’re taking a look at what previous winners are doing in their careers today!

Athanasia Kontou won the prize in 2019 and was then commissioned by Ensemble 10:10 to compose "Antigone: pure in her crime", nominated at the Ivors Classical Awards last year, in the Best Large Ensemble category.

She is currently pursuing an artistic research doctorate degree at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, with supervisors Prof Clara Iannotta and Johannes Kretz. She is experimenting with expanding her practice into an interdisciplinary one, combining elements from singing/songwriting and stand-up comedy.

The Rushworth Composition Prize, supported by the Rushworth Foundation, provides an exceptional range of opportunities for an early-career composer who writes original music. Find out more and information on how to apply here https://lnkd.in/dSMrCF9

Applications close at 12pm on Tuesday 24 September 2024.

If you caught the BBC Proms last month, you will have seen and definitely heard, our Forever Bells as part of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra performance of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. But do you know the story behind them?

In 2019, we were the first orchestra in the UK to obtain a full set of sonorous church bells, thanks to an extensive passion project for our former Section Leader Percussionist Graham Johns, who was in the Orchestra for 40 years. The bells now tour around the country contributing to a great many performances.

It is a collection that will last for generations to come and so we felt it fitting to dedicate the largest bell to all those who have left a gift to Liverpool Philharmonic in their will. It is thanks to the generosity of those who loved music that we have been able to plan for such major projects and pave the way for musical excellence in the UK.

This Week please consider leaving a gift in your will for Liverpool Philharmonic. Legacy Gifts like this make lasting contributions that shape the music we can perform and ensure the continued success of our Orchestra.

If you're interested in finding out more about the impact of leaving a legacy at Liverpool Philharmonic find out more https://www.liverpoolphil.com/support-us/leave-a-legacy/

You can also join us on Thursday 3 October at 5.30pm in the Music Room. To confirm your attendance, RSVP by emailing us at [email protected]

Joining our Spotlight Series today is Ausiàs Garrigós Morant, Bass Clarinet. Hailing all the way from Spain, Ausiàs grew up in an area where music, and more specifically wind bands, played a huge part in local culture. So, it was only a matter of time before he picked up the clarinet – going on to study at Conservatorio Superior de Castellón and then London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he gained a master’s in clarinet and bass clarinet.

Ausiàs joined the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra back in 2018, but he’s a familiar face to orchestras across the UK and Europe, also performing with the likes of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Passionate about supporting the next generation of composers and musicians, Ausiàs not only founded the contemporary Riot Ensemble, but also teaches at the Royal Northern College of Music, Guildhall and the Royal College of Music.

Oh and Liverpool Philharmonic’s programming team better watch out… Every summer, Ausiàs runs a music festival in Potries, Valencia, bringing international stars and exciting works to the rural village he calls home.

Catch Ausiàs playing in the Liverpool Wind Collective on the 14 October.

Find out more https://zurl.co/O4F8

📸 Gareth Jones

Liverpool Philharmonic hosts hundreds of events and welcomes thousands of customers every year. We’re currently looking for a Food & Beverage Duty Manager to make sure bars and catering operations at those events run safely, effectively and to the highest possible standard.

Working in a fast-paced and busy environment, you’ll be responsible for supervising bar staff and providing outstanding customer service to event attendees, clients and artists. You will monitor stock levels, ensure that all goods meet the expectations of the business and our customers, and maintain relationships with external catering partners.

If you’re a positive and personable communicator, with previous experience in customer service or hospitality, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more here https://zurl.co/V1TT

“I have been attending concerts for years and have made so many new friends since becoming a member.” - Gold Member

Become part of the Liverpool Philharmonic family and enjoy a host of benefits as a member, including:

🔸Priority booking, no booking fees and free ticket exchange for all Orchestra performances

🔸Invitations to exclusive events, our Annual Season Launch and our private members’ bar (the 1840 Room)

🔸Access to open rehearsals allowing fascinating insight into the development of performances

🔸Regular member e-newsletters and voting rights in our Annual General Meeting

Our Membership starts at £16/month and supports our work on stage and in the community.

Follow the link below or give us a call on 0151 210 2921 to find out more https://www.liverpoolphil.com/support-us/become-a-member/

“I'm currently working on the soundtrack to a feature romantic comedy with American director Brian Herzlinger, titled ."

- Christopher Cook, Rushworth Composition Prize winner, 2022

As we look for our 2024 Rushworth Composition Prize winner, we're highlighting the achievements of previous prize winners, including the career of Christopher:

"A recent highlight has been my chance to write the score for the short film ‘Merman’ starring Alistair Petrie and Phil Davis which shines a spotlight on the experiences of aid workers dealing with the European migrant crisis. This film was played and won awards at film festivals all across Europe including the Berlin Indie Film Festival, The International Film Festival at The Hague and The Milan Shorts Film Festival.”

The Rushworth Composition Prize, supported by the Rushworth Foundation, provides an exceptional range of opportunities for an early-career composer who writes original music.

Applications close at 12pm on Tuesday 24 September 2024
Find out more and information on how to apply here https://lnkd.in/dSMrCF9

Stepping into our Spotlight Series today is Gareth Twigg, Principal Contrabassoon. Gareth graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2001, before heading to London to study at the Royal College of Music – achieving a Distinction in both solo and orchestral performance.

It wasn’t long before he returned north however, joining the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra back in 2009. It’s fair to say his time with the Orchestra has been varied – Gareth’s done everything from recording the complete Shostakovich symphonies, to taking on the solo contrabassoon part in ‘Never Smile at a Crocodile’.

When he’s not with us here at the Hall, Gareth not only freelances with leading orchestras and ensembles around the UK but is involved with the Everton-based music project Tuning into Children, teaches bassoon and contrabassoon at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, plays with the Liverpool Wind Collective, and has even occasionally been known to play the heckelphone. Phew.

Like any double reed player, a large part of Gareth’s free time is taken up by crafting the perfect reed – but when he’s not doing that, you’ll find him hitting the trails or continuing in his quest to find the Wirral’s most exquisite craft beers.

Catch Gareth performing as part of the Liverpool Wind Collective on 14 October. This is a Close-Up Concert in the Music Room https://zurl.co/JV7k