Today the University of Hull and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announce a new partnership that will see the two organisations working together for at least the next five years.
The University and the RPO have established a growing relationship over the past two years, as University of Hull Associate Artists via the Music Department which has involved masterclasses, sit-in open-rehearsals and tickets to attend concerts at Hull City Hall. Music students have also engaged with the Orchestra’s innovative community and education programme, RPO Resound; most notably in the RPO’s award-winning STROKESTRA® project, a pioneering stroke rehabilitation programme, delivered in partnership with Hull and East Riding Community Stroke Services (HERCSS), that harnesses the power of group creative music-making alongside professional musicians and clinicians to drive patient-led recovery in stroke patients and their carers.
As part of this new partnership, research staff from the music faculty will be leading on a 3-year research project exploring the impacts of STROKESTRA® on health and wellbeing, as the programme is rolled out across the city to reach nearly more than 300 new participants.
This new partnership will also continue to provide benefits to Music students at the University, with RPO musicians leading masterclasses and offering career insight, advice and support along with ensemble coaching, one-to-one tuition and opportunities togain practical orchestral recording experiences at RPO rehearsals and concerts. University staff will also lead pre-concert talks prior to RPO performances at Hull City Hall.
More broadly, students from across a range of arts, health and education programmes can be offered work placements with the Orchestra on live music events and RPO Resound projects in and around Hull, as instrumentalists/vocalists, workshop practitioners and/or production staff. Directed by a professional team of RPO musicians and leaders, these opportunities will provide students with invaluable insight into the creative sector, and help them further develop their creative leadership, design and project management skills.