Cultural Sector Partner: Milapfest and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
HE Partner: Liverpool Hope University 

Liverpool Hope has a long tradition of collaborative work with the Cultural Sector.

Milapfest. Since 2012, Dr Manuella Blackburn has been collaborating with Milapfest, the UK’s leading Indian Arts Development Trust. Dr Blackburn was awarded AHRC funding (64K) to support her research project: Intercultural Creativity in Electroacoustic Music: Integrating Indian Cultural Sound Emblems into New Works. As a result of this unique partnership, the collaboration produced a range of artistic and educational outputs.

Also, as part of the collaboration, Common Cause Research UK and the Runnymede Trust has used the Instruments INDIA project as one of 14 UK-based case studies to highlight Black and Minority Ethnic academic partnerships. Dr Blackburn is leading in the launch of the Instruments INDIA app and it’s piloting in schools in conjunction with Hope’s Teacher Education programmes.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. The formal relationship with Liverpool Philharmonic was established in c. 2007 and is now going into its 11^th year and is an excellent example of long term partnership working between HE and cultural institutions.

This partnership is now embedded and thriving, enabling music students and staff to enjoy a wide range of benefits including a programme of workshops for student composers and performers, demonstrations, masterclasses and provision of musicians for key University events and concerts. The University also provides the venue for Liverpool Philharmonic’s Youth and Children’s Choir rehearsals. Liverpool Hope University is a partner of In Harmony Liverpool and students take part in placements and regular volunteering opportunities. Originally inspired by Venezuela’s El Sistema, In Harmony Liverpool, led by Liverpool Philharmonic, uses orchestral music-making to improve the health, education and aspirations of children and young people in North Liverpool. Participants regularly perform at the Creative Campus including at the Cornerstone Festival. The music team believes that this project is of enormous significance to the future of musical education in the UK and continues to support the projects work and ideals.

The Beatles Story and Music at the Creative Campus. Led by Dr Brocken, this collaboration creates an academic link between the two organisations that enables a greater opportunity for both formal and informal education to take place for both staff of The Beatles Story and Liverpool Hope University students. The project aims to give staff at The Beatles Story the opportunity for further career development by enrolling on the Beatles MA at Hope and allows our University music undergraduates to gain invaluable work-based experience at The Beatles Story Education Department in a ‘real world’ situation. It is felt that Hope undergraduates moving into teaching and/or heritage tourism greatly benefit from the informal teaching practice within The Beatles Story Education Dept.

Contact: Prof Steve Davismoon

davisms@hope.ac.uk