Liverpool Philharmonic in Residence: Barrow-in-Furness
As one of the largest music organisations in the north of England – just over the water from Wales – we aim to bring opportunities to people outside Liverpool who have limited access to music. For example, since 2024, we’ve been heading to Barrow-in-Furness, working with the community and many local partners to help fill the town with music.
We’ve appeared in venues all around Barrow – and some very unexpected places too. We've performed incredible concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, superstar soloists and chamber groups as well. There’s been pop-up performances, events for Under 5s and plenty of musical workshops. We've heard reimagined hits, dementia-friendly concerts, discussion events and singing celebrations. Plus of course we’ve been popping into schools and working with Barrow’s young people too.
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Over the past few years, we’ve…
- Delivered 302 performances, reaching around 12,800 people
- Visited around 95% of all Barrow schools – primary, secondary and SEND
- Launched In Harmony-inspired Youth Hubs, so local teenagers can keep making music outside of school
- Welcomed 92 singers to our first Come and Sing event
The welcome we’ve received has been overwhelming. We’re so honoured to be at the heart of Barrow, taking part in the town’s special events and celebrating the incredible creativity that lives there. We'll always work hard to make sure we bring a whole range of music for everyone to enjoy.
“It was so wonderful to watch some of our children who usually struggle to access classroom environments and learning. One child actually moved a chair near the musicians so that he could sit down and listen. He sat there for quite a while, listening, watching and feeling the music. It really was so wonderful to have an experience that every single child and adult engaged with – quite remarkable!”
