Manchester International Roots Orchestra return, to perform on our Sunday Funday as part of the Festival of Libraries, bringing together musicians, instruments and musical traditions from all parts of the globe, to perform both original and traditional pieces, MIRO is always brilliant and offers a chance to experience something unique. There will also be a […]
We have a new electronic drum kit, which will be available from this day! Our old kits have been popular features of the department and we’ve had lots of enquiries about when to expect a new one. It’s finally here, and bookings can be made at the Henry Watson Music Library desk or over the […]
Join us for this live performance by an experienced folk musician who draws inspiration from local and family history. Michael Burns’ repertoire incorporates music from a wide timespan and he is interested in music pertaining to social commentary and how it relates to the present day. Click on the links to hear some of Michael's […]
Geopolitical alliances at the ready! This year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held just a stone's throw from Manchester in lovely Liverpool. To celebrate this once is a lifetime (well 25 years anyway) event, we're hosting a special edition of our Big Fat Music Library quiz on Thursday 27th April. So if you think you […]
Join us for a day of children’s music activities! 11:30 - Rhyme Time Stories and songs. 12:20 - HWML instruments A brief showing of some of the music library’s instruments, originating in different time periods and places around the world. Feel free to ask questions! 12:40 - Children’s instruments Xylophones, maracas, triangles, ukuleles and much […]
Musick in Manchester 1744/45 recreates the first ever public concert series known to have been given in Manchester, prefiguring the remarkable musical tradition that accompanied Manchester’s development into one of Europe’s leading industrial cities. Remarkable, and until now underrepresented, the series includes sixteen concert programmes, which survive in a literary transcript by John Harland written […]
Join us for an intimate performance by a Manchester International Roots Orchestra chamber ensemble in the Hentry Watson Music Library on the First Floor of Central Library. The Manchester International Roots Orchestra (MIRO) is a unique ensemble of musicians with roots from across the world including students from the RNCM. Our repertoire skilfully combines diverse musical influences […]
#LikeChopin – The Mysterious Story of Chopin in Manchester In August 1848 Fryderyk Chopin travelled to Britain. During the visit he also gave a performance in Manchester. The concert took place at the Manchester’s Gentleman Concert Hall on Peter Street. The Hall was demolished in 1887 and The Midland Hotel was built on the […]
THIS EVENT IS NOW CANCELLED A celebration of Manchester’s traditional Irish music with young musicians, plus a presentation exploring the collaboration of the Club Ceoil Archive in partnership with the British Library’s ‘Unlocking Our Sound Heritage’ Free – please drop in
As part of Holocaust Memorial Day, Manchester Jewish Museum's song-writing group will present an initial performance of songs inspired by the moving stories of Jewish Refugees arriving in Cheetham in the 1930s and 1940s. We have been working with baritone singer Peter Brathwaite (originally from Cheetham) Israeli opera composer Na'ama Zisser and community composer and […]
Billy and Andy run fun and accessible music activities for people of all ages who have special needs and disabilities. They build their own unique musical instruments that break down the barrier to music making and by using music based activities they can help anyone, regardless of ability, take part in creating music they can […]
From dedicated performance spaces to stairwells, screens, nooks and domes, Central Library might directly inspire your next event or intervention. Contact us to arrange a tour.
