Case Study Culture Fund 24-25: Orkney Camerata

Our project was ‘to deliver a short series of inspirational concerts of film music, played by Camerata and Junior Camerata, with film clips, for children and their families.’

Our focus was to help promote equality, reaching children and families who may not have been able to attend the many concerts held in Kirkwall. We therefore held one concert in Sanday, one in Stromness and one in St Margaret's Hope, thereby removing some of the financial barriers relating to travel.

The grant enabled us to offer the concerts free to children and their families which again supported financial inclusion. Our aim was to raise awareness of orchestral playing for children, and inspire them to either play musical instruments, to write music, or to learn more about appreciating live music.

We also wanted to enable Junior Camerata members to gain valuable performance experience, and to learn the benefits of enhanced teamwork associated with playing in an orchestra. Ultimately, we aimed that the participants - players and audiences – would contribute to the sustainability of Orkney's rich musical heritage by providing the next generation of local players and composers. 
 

Finally, we aimed to ensure that Camerata will continue to be a thriving, creative and sustainable ensemble, supporting the shared ambitions and priorities of both Camerata and Orkney Islands Council to continue Orkney’s strong track record of investment in promoting Orkney’s unique culture and vibrant community events.

Our social media advertising, Orcadian and BBC Radio Orkney coverage were instrumental in this.  Also, at each concert, Cameron, our compere, explained a little about why Camerata and Junior Camerata were holding these concerts. i.e.

• To bring great film music for children out to different parts of Orkney;
• To inspire children and young people to consider taking up a musical instrument, write music or just enjoy all kinds of music including film music;
• To introduce children to Junior Camerata and Camerata to promote the orchestra to children for the future;
  To help keep our strong musical tradition going throughout Orkney.

The funding has enabled us to meet our goals of raising awareness in relation to Camerata and Junior Camerata and encouraging children to appreciate live music, play a musical instrument or to write music.

We have also been encouraged by the positive feedback and intend to hold similar concerts in future for children and families.  These goals all contribute to our long-term ambitions to ensure that Orkney Camerata and local Orkney live music are sustainable into the future.