The future is bright for musicians in Manchester

A guest blog by Chetham’s School of Music

There’s never been a better time to be a student in Manchester, especially if you have a passion for music.

Manchester featured in the New York Times’ ’52 Places to Go’ list for 2024, and the accolade is made more special as it’s the only location in England to have been included. It was recommended for its iconic musical history and exciting new cultural venues.

Chetham’s School of Music is the country’s leading music school, based opposite Victoria train station. We’ve always been proud to be in the heart of Manchester’s hustle and bustle. Our students get a taste of life in a buzzing, cosmopolitan city, preparing them for their next steps in the world, and it’s exciting to be somewhere that has long been known as a centre of innovation. But as we look to the future, there’s a sense that something new is happening.

The Royal Philharmonic Society Awards will be hosted in Manchester this year to celebrate the artists making waves in classical music – it’s the event’s first time outside of London and ticket prices are heavily discounted so more people than ever before can get involved. The Hallé Orchestra will this year welcome a new Principal Conductor and Artistic Director, Kahchun Wong. It was announced that the English National Opera will relocate its main base from London to Manchester over the next few years. BBC 6 Music Festival takes place in Manchester in 2024 and the launch of Aviva Studios has created a major venue for large-scale, experimental shows, illustrated by Johnny Marr who performed his back catalogue with a full orchestra recently.

Manchester and popular music have long gone hand-in-hand, but it’s now emerging as the hub for wider genres, rivalling London, Paris, Vienna…

At Chetham’s, we’re making the most of this through partnerships and performances. Some of our students will perform with the Hallé in a tribute to the pioneering Steve Reich at The Bridgewater Hall. We will work with professional musical guests who are visiting Manchester on delivering masterclasses. Having the Stoller Hall, a sleek and modern music venue, as part of our school means students get to practise on stage in an award-winning music venue to passionate audiences, many of whom are here to explore the city and all it has to offer.

If you’re a young person who sees a future filled with music, performance and opportunity, there’s no doubt that Manchester is the place to be.