Oldham and the Halle’s sweet music

Oldham Youth Orchestra performance at BBC MediaCityUK

OLDHAM Music Service is teaming up with the world-famous Halle and BBC Philharmonic Orchestras.

The OMS and orchestras large and small from other neighbouring towns are going into partnership forming the new Greater Manchester Music Hub.

The new hub, which includes organisations such as the Halle, allows the groups to pool their resources under an initiative from education minister Michael Gove.

It was launched at Media City in Salford, with Oldham Youth Orchestra bringing the event to a stirring close, with a rendition of “Summon the Heroes” by John Williams.

Gerard Booth, director of music for OMS, said: “The Oldham Music Service was particularly honoured that its youth orchestra was asked to close the event.

“It was the only large-scale ensemble from the whole of Greater Manchester to take part and is an indication of the high esteem that our orchestra is held in across the region.”

From spring, £1 million has been used to extend music education schemes to fill the gap when local authorities stopped administering music services.

Areas were able to apply for funding to become music hubs with special weighting for more deprived areas.