We’re looking for musicians aged 14-18 to take part in a project that explores the musical identity of Manchester.

Over two weekends in May and July you’ll make new music together that responds to the question:

What does Manchester sound like to you?

If you live and breathe this city and want to represent its musical identity, the Manchester Experimental Orchestra is perfect for you.

And don’t worry, it’s not that type of orchestra. 

We’re looking for musicians who play any instrument or genre of music. You could be a gospel singer, a producer, a guitarist, a rapper, a spoken word artist, a drummer, a violist or anything else!

To take part you just need to be:

A musician playing any instrument or genre of music

From or living in Manchester (with an M postcode)

Aged 14-18

Available for all the project dates below

Project dates

You’ll need to attend:

One weekend of making music and improvising on 7-8 May (10am-4pm) at The Bridgewater Hall

Two online Zoom workshops on 24th of May (6pm to 8pm) and 14th of June (6pm to 8pm)

One weekend rehearsing on 16-17 July (10am-4pm) at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)

An evening performance on 17 July (5-8pm) at the RNCM

The team

The kind of music you create will be entirely up to you, with guidance from:

DJ Balraj Samrai

Composer Steve Berry

Producer and vocalist Pops Roberts

Jazz trumpeter Byron Wallen

Oud player Rihab Azar

The project has been planned and developed with a team of young leaders who are also taking part as musicians. And you’ll also be supported by other artists including percussionists, gospel singers, violinists, ghaychak players and rappers!