Formed in 1991 by Artistic Director Tim Williams, Manchester-based ensemble Psappha specialises in the performance of work by living composers and in music of the 20th and 21st centuries. The ensemble is unique in its artistic offering as the North of England’s only stand-alone, professional contemporary classical music ensemble. 

Psappha is known for its invigorating performances of composers’ works, including Reich, Maxwell Davies and Turnage, as well as young and emerging composers who it supports through the ‘Composing for…’ programme. A National Portfolio Organisation for Arts Council England and a Talent Development Partner for PRS for Music Foundation, Psappha is based at St Michael’s, the former Italian Chapel in Ancoats, an inner-city area of Manchester that was once the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. They move back to the newly renovated venue of St. Peter’s in November 2019.

Psappha has signed up to the PRS Foundation Keychange gender balance initiative, working towards 50:50 representation by 2022. 45% of the composers programmed in Psappha’s 2019-20 Manchester concert series are female.

WildKat PR after working with Psappha on the press and PR campaign for their 2018/19 programme, are continuing the relationship for their 2019/20 season.

Results:

Manchester-based ensemble Psappha wanted to raise its profile in the classical music industry, focusing on reviews of the performances in national media, as well as more coverage to increase their profile in the specialist classical press.

• WildKat ran a PR campaign for 18 months, aiming to secure major features in the classical music magazines and reviews from national press.
• Two critical picks listings in national print newspapers, including the Times and The Sunday Times
• Full page feature in Classical Music Magazine
• Video premiere feature with Gramophone online
• Wide coverage of Psappha’s season and premiere announcements, from publications such as Classical Music Magazine, PRS M Magazine, Classical Source, Composition Today