The Stoller Hall Opening Weekend
Chris Horkan
Chetham’s School of Music unveils its brand new Stoller Hall with an action-packed weekend to showcase this exciting new space.
BBC Radio 3 helps launch the hall on Friday afternoon with a live broadcast of In Tune. Meanwhile, Gwilym Simcock and friends offer late night jazz fusion on Friday evening, while on Saturday, the Navarra String Quartet continues Chetham’s complete cycle of Shostakovich string quartets – and the weekend concludes with Sunday’s Opening Celebration Concert, featuring an impressive two conductors and two orchestras.
In Chetham’s second concert space, the Carole Nash Hall, you’ll find collaborations with the school’s partners the Hammond School, Chester and Victoria College of Arts, Melbourne; while in its Oglesby Atrium, Gabriella Swallow and the Urban Family offer two free performances for all ages. The weekend’s highlights are rounded off with an exhibitions of music photography by Tom Bangbala and new panels created by artist James Mayhew, working with primary schools from across Greater Manchester – part of an Outreach project, which also offers a new work by composer Michael Betteridge, inspired by the city and performed by its young players.
The Stoller Hall itself is likely to be the star attraction of this Opening Weekend, however: a bright new space that will add to the city’s already rich musical tapestry.
