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Royal Northern College of Music welcomes 83 young people for a day of group music-making with Modulo

83 young musicians and orchestral tutors hold up their instruments in the main hall at the Royal Northern College of Music

Making lifelong memories at our third meet of the spring…

After kickstarting our spring Modulo meets in Birmingham and London, the Orchestras for All team took to the road once again to bring the charity’s powerful music-making programme to students in and around the city of Manchester.

Held at the Royal Northern College of Music, the third Modulo event of the season was attended by 83 young people from six maintained schools in the UK – including Hathershaw College, Bellerive, Bridgewater, Philips, St Patrick’s and Ullswater – and with bassoons, drum kits and electric guitars in the room, what a wonderful sound they all made.

With a revitalised push for more music in schools following the national plan for music education, the Modulo Programme exists to support teachers and community music leaders in setting up a small, inclusive ensemble of their own, before inviting participating students to team up with others from across the country to play together as one giant orchestra.

From soothing warmups with our Artistic Director, Emma, and a friendly greeting from Ambassador and former National Orchestra for All member, Haseeb, to an energising orchestral rendition of of an 80s pop classic, our Modulo meet in Manchester was surely a day to remember. Scroll down for a few of the highlights!

Read more: This gallery of 108 young Modulo musicians gathering in London is the wholesome content we all need >

OFA Ambassador, Haseeb, stands behind a xylophone at the RNCM in his purple Orchestras for All t-shirt.
Three brass players stand side by side and show their instruments to the camera.
A photo of the staircase at the Royal Northern College of Music, which reads: 'For 50 years the RNCM has fuelled the ASPIRATIONS of young musicians, composers, conductors, educators, and entrepreneurs from all over the WORLD.'
Two Modulo cellists sit beside their instruments and enjoy a moment of laughter during the break.
Artistic Director, Emma, holds her arms up high and leads the Modulo ensemble in the main hall as they sit around her.
A young bassoon player smiles at the camera and shows us his instrument – the only bassoon player in the room!
An image of instruments in the percussion section, including a large bass drum that has the initials 'R.N.C.M.' written on the top.
Our Modulo conductor shares her expert guidance in front of the young ensemble.
A front portrait of the orchestra, with strings, woodwind and some percussion in shot, as Artistic Director Emma holds her right arm high up in the air.
A close-up image of a black Steinway & Sons piano, its stool and some sheet music from this year’s Modulo repertoire.
A group shot of the orchestra in the main hall at the RNCM, taken from the view of the pianists.
A group shot with the guitar, brass and woodwind sections in focus.
A group shot with the brass section in focus.
A group shot with the strings in focus as conductor Emma introduces Ambassador Haseeb to the ensemble.
Ambassador Haseeb stands in front of the orchestra and shares a friendly greeting.
Brass players sit side by side and hold up their instruments, including two trombones.
A close-up of a trumpet, resting on a chair.
A group shot of the orchestral tutors, ambassadors and volunteers as they prepare to play a piece for today’s Modulo participants.
A group shot of the string section as they hold their bows up high during a full orchestra rehearsal.
Two violinists share a joke and laugh together during a rehearsal.
A group shot of the orchestra during a quick collaborative activity.
A close-up of a cello, resting on the floor during the break.
An image of the Modulo ensemble speaking to each other during a group activity.
A music teacher stands with a brass instrument as he helps two young musicians with electric guitars
A close-up of an electric guitar with a young person’s name sticker stuck on the front reading 'Maisie'
A powerful group shot of the full Modulo ensemble in the main hall at the RNCM, taken from the front view
An image of the full orchestra, taken from the side
An image of a sheet of music for '99 Red Balloons', placed next to a trombone and some neon lights
A student wearing a jumper with the 'RNCM' logo stands beside her violin case, which has several colourful stickers on the front.
A group of post-its on the table with words written by Modulo participants at the end of the day, including 'happy, satisfied, buzzing', 'proud, developed, grateful' and 'tired but happy!'

On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, we would like to thank our funders, Arts Council England, the Department for Education, 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust and the Rayne Foundation, and each of our individual donors, charity volunteers and loyal supporters who help make the Modulo Programme possible.

Keen to support a young musician on the Modulo Programme? Please donate today:

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