We are delighted to announce our latest grant recipient, Classical Sheffield. Classical Sheffield’s vision and purpose have been shaped through robust discussion and collaboration with a diverse community of music-makers who proudly form its membership. The organization’s activities are strategically aligned with four key themes Strengthening & Developing Classical Music in Sheffield: Building a robust platform to support and enhance classical music-making in the city. Advocacy for Classical Music: Serving as the voice for classical music across Sheffield and beyond. Supporting a Physical Hub: Actively pursuing the vision of establishing a dedicated home for classical music in the city. Cultural Enrichment: Enhancing Sheffield's cultural vibrancy with high-quality musical offerings. Classical Sheffield welcomes music-makers from all corners of Sheffield, united by a vision of bringing more music to more people in more places. Since its inception in 2013, Classical Sheffield has engaged with over 60,000 people, many of whom experienced live classical music for the first time through its initiatives.
Classical Sheffield has provided platforms for young, talented musicians and composers at the start of their careers, integrated vibrant and accessible live music into the city’s cultural calendar, and offered performance opportunities to groups of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. As a true collective, Classical Sheffield has flourished into a dynamic music development organization. The Classical Sheffield website serves as a central hub where members can advertise their music-making activities, making it easy for anyone to find classical music events in and around Sheffield. In 2023 alone, Classical Sheffield posted an average of 35 events per month across 40 different venues, attracting over 30,000 visitors—an average of 200 visits per day. The ‘Artist Spotlight’ project highlights pivotal classical music figures in Sheffield, while the 'Weekly Listings' email updates promote member concerts to over 1,500 subscribers, with numbers continuing to grow.
Looking ahead, Classical Sheffield is excited to use our grant funding to enhance the next Classical Weekend in March 2025. This festival will feature over 1,500 musicians across 50+ concerts in the City Centre, in partnership with various promoters, organizations, and youth music groups. Classical Sheffield seeks a £500 grant to support a special free activity at the 'Musical Pocket Park' in Charter Square, which houses 10 musical instruments for public use. Their plans include: Bringing together 10 musicians to perform a piece on the park’s instruments, showcasing their potential and inspiring public engagement. Collaborating with Sheffield Music School, Tracks, and Concerteenies to create a unique musical experience. Offering guided workshops where young people and families can participate in performing easy pieces of music in a relaxed, musical setting. With this initiative, Classical Sheffield aims to highlight the versatility of the Musical Pocket Park and provide an inclusive, interactive musical experience for the community. Classical Sheffield continues to enrich Sheffield’s cultural landscape with the power of classical music. Community support and participation help make this vision a reality. We cannot wait to hear them. If you would like to find out more click here: classical sheffield