Barrow gets 'cultural investment' with Liverpool Orchestra

The orchestra is starting a three year partnership with the Cumbria town, which is classed as an Arts Council England Priority Place.

The aim of these specially recognised areas is to rebalance arts investment, focusing on nurturing cultural development and opportunities.

By bringing the orchestra to Barrow, this has been described as a 'significant cultural investment' in the area.

The partnership launches on January 20 2024 at the Forum Theatre with a performance of Beethoven Symphony No 5 by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan.

Conductor Domingo Hindoyan will lead the first performance in Barrow (Image: RDMR)

Providing unrivalled access to orchestral live music, this new deal will offer a holistic model of working across performance, learning and community partnerships.

The arrival of the orchestra is developed in collaboration with the many arts and community partners in Barrow, and is said to be inspired by the individuals and communities who make up the town.

Along with the first performance in January, a series of pop-up chamber music concerts, dementia-friendly performances, and music-making events for children under the age of five are set to be featured throughout the spring and summer.

Besides entertaining the local community, the deal is designed to also provide an educational boost for young people.

Work will be carried out in partnership with the Cumbria Music Education Hub to increase access to high-quality group singing for youngsters and bring live music-making sessions to schools in the region.

Barrow was one of 54 other places listed as a Priority Place by the Arts Council, with work being carried out since 2021.

Next year is set to be the last one of the initial scheme, though the new three year partnership with Liverpool's resident orchestra highlights a continued commitment to the arts for the town.