BACKWe are delighted to be working with North-West based ensemble, Psappha, on its 2018/19 concert season. Furthermore, we can announce that Mark-Anthony Turnage has been announced as Psappha’s newest Patron, following the death of longtime Psappha Patron and collaborator Sir Peter Maxwell Davies in 2016.
“I’m really pleased that Psappha has asked me to become their new Patron. It’s an honour to take on the position from Max after his 21 years in the role… The group’s commitment to living composers is a vital element in British musical life and I’m looking forward to supporting these brilliant musicians and their work in the future.” – Mark-Anthony Turnage, July 2018
Formed in 1991 by Artistic Director Tim Williams, Psappha specialises in the performance of work by living composers and in music of the 20th and 21st centuries. The group, comprising seven core instrumentalists, 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. It shares this venue with The Hallé.
Psappha is a National Portfolio Organisation for Arts Council England (ACE) and a Talent Development Partner for PRS for Music Foundation.
In addition to public performancees, Psappha offers a wealth of online content for contemporary classical enthusiasts. Its YouTube channel has achieved more than 70,000 views in the past 12 months, and offers more than 160 free-to-view films of live performances and a number of free online film-based resources for young composers.
Psappha’s Composition Lab offers support to GCSE and A-level music students through 100 short films presented by conductor Charles Hazlewood, which explore different orchestral instruments, musical styles and instrumental techniques. Psappha Kids is a free resource specially devised to support the teaching of classroom music by specialist and non-specialist teachers of children aged 7-11, and includes lesson plans, class-based musical activities and extension tasks, fully supported through a series of short films.
The Composing for… scheme is open to UK-based music creators who have completed their first degree or equivalent. They will be offered expert support and professional guidance over an extended period to create new works that will be filmed and hosted on Psappha’s YouTube Channel, and considered for a future Psappha performance.
Psappha is supported by ACE’s Catalyst: Evolve scheme, which matches donations pound-for- pound, helping to create a “more sustainable and resilient art and culture sector”.
The first concert in the 2018/19 will be ‘New Adventures’ on Thursday 27 September at Stoller Hall, Manchester.
See Psappha in action below!