Welcome to our new look Chets website. This year we start to build our new School and there is plenty for you to find out about on the website, including a 'Builder's Blog'! Last year we marked forty years of Chetham's School of Music and there is certainly a great deal to celebrate (take a look at our special 40th anniversary section for some wonderful memories). What better way of celebrating than to look to the future with confidence, in the knowledge that our new School building will provide the world-class facilities that our students deserve – and which will also serve as a national resource of music-making throughout the UK.
First let me give you some background - with 290 students (aged 8 - 18) Chetham's School of Music is the largest specialist music school in the UK and the only Music School based in the North of England. In the heart of Manchester, our vibrant cosmopolitan city centre location complements a dynamic music programme - we regularly collaborate with the city's leading cultural venues on a range of projects and initiatives, to present exciting opportunities for our students.
Chetham's is an integral part of the North West's rich cultural heritage, housed in buildings that are nearly 600 years old and boasting a truly unique and magical atmosphere. Our medieval buildings are one of Manchester's real gems - playing music in the Baronial Hall is undoubtedly an experience in itself!
A Chets student's diary is always busy and packed with opportunities inside and outside the practice room. Our students study normal National Curriculum subjects alongside the depth and breadth of their instrumental and musical programmes. Recently, our students have broadcast for BBC Radio 3, performed at BBC Proms in the Park and composed music in response to artworks from the British Art Show. Our jazz musicians regularly perform at leading venues and our two Big Bands are regularly winners of national prizes. Three out of the last five BBC Young Musicians of the Year have been Chets students.
To return to the new School project - to launch our 'Raise the Roof' public campaign, the final part of our fundraising drive, we performed our début concert at the Royal Festival Hall on 2 March. This wonderful evening was the culmination of a collaboration between Chets and The Bach Choir, whose Musical Director is David Hill, a former student of the School. We hope to find the remaining £1 million we need to fit out our new School, which will be completed in early 2010, right next door to us, on a site between the current School and Victoria Station. The cultural and physical landscape of Manchester will be enhanced hugely through our new learning environment. We're also proud to share a city location with the Royal Northern College of Music, The Bridgewater Hall and the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic orchestras - Chets students regularly benefit from our strong links with these organisations through events and festivals. Many of Chetham's international array of tutors also teach at the RNCM and are principal players with many of the UK's leading orchestras.
On this website you will find full details of our Concert and Outreach Programme, together with of course a great deal of information about School life in general.
Last but by no means least you will also find an application form to become a student at Chetham's!
Claire Hickman
Head
