Irish Student to appear in Classical Music Series on Channel 4

Fourteen year old Irish music student Charlotte Hickman, whose Irish roots stem from County Cork is to appear in a brand new Classical Music Documentary, Orchestra United. The for Channel 4 TV, which starts this Sunday 25 July at 7.30pm and runs for four weeks. The series follows the creation of the Halle Harmony Youth Orchestra.

The talented music student from St Bede's College in Manchester is a member of the School's multi award winning Young, Gifted & Green troupe where she plays fiddle i the orchestra and dances with the troupe. She has won a part to play in the 2nd violin section of a new symphony orchestra called ‘The Hallé Harmony Youth Orchestra’.

The documentary is a joint project between the education department of the Hallé Orchestra, four of Greater Manchester Authorities and TV production company ‘Diverse Productions’ . The series follows the students from initial rehearsals and residential weekend’s away right through to a sell out concert at the prestigious Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

When asked about how she felt about appearing in the documentary Charlotte replied “It was a great experience and I am really looking forward to seeing the finished series and I am hoping that all the hard work we put into it has paid off.”

The Hallé Harmony Youth Orchestra started rehearsals in May 2009 and rehearses with Music Director, James Lowe, and Associate Conductor, Sinead Hayes, on a weekly basis during term-time and benefits from regular coaching by Hallé players. Classical symphonic music is the force that unites this group, and working collectively towards public concerts will give the members a common goal and a real sense of achievement. Some members are being supported to transfer to an orchestral instrument for the first time.