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Camerata's New Chairman Announced
Fri 7th Sep 2012 - 7:25
We are delighted to announce Paul Flowers, Chairman of the Co-operative Banking Group, as our new Chairman.
Paul Flowers said: ‘Manchester Camerata is not soft, fluffy or stuck up. It’s an orchestra that makes a real difference to people’s lives, and does fantastic work with young people and disadvantaged communities. Camerata pushes boundaries, programming innovative concerts that blend the old and the new, and I’m intrigued by the opportunities the orchestra has for developing a stronger national and international presence from its solid regional base in the North West.’
Bob Riley said: ‘Paul’s passion for music and for making a difference in the community, coupled with his understanding of business through his role as Chairman of the Co-operative Banking Group, is an ideal match for Camerata, and we can’t wait to work with him as we embark on our fifth decade.’
Paul Flowers succeeds lawyer Geoffrey Shindler OBE, board member since 2005 and chairman since 2007. Geoffrey Shindler has been instrumental in establishing the orchestra as partner-in-residence at our new home in the RNCM following the move there in 2007. The official handover from Geoffrey Shindler to Paul Flowers will take place at our opening concert of the season at Manchester Town Hall on Wednesday 12 September.
Our 40th anniversary season celebration opens with a special concert at Manchester Town Hall, one of Manchester's most impressive venues, on 12 September 2012. Music Director Gábor Takács-Nagy conducts the orchestra in a preview of the season, featuring music by Holst, Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Haydn, with a complete performance of Mozart's Horn Concerto with soloist Naomi Atherton. Leader of the orchestra Giovanni Guzzo will be playing the 1709 Stradivarius, which is on extended loan to Manchester Camerata by benefactor Jonathan Moulds, President of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s European business.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Claire Willis
Director, ElevenTenths PR
Email: Claire.willis@eleventenths.co.uk
Tel: 07951 600362
Sue Colvin
Marketing Consultant, Manchester Camerata
Email: scolvin@manchestercamerata.com
Tel: 0161 226 8696
NOTES TO EDITORS
MANCHESTER CAMERATA
Acknowledged as one of the UK's leading chamber orchestras, Manchester Camerata was originally founded in 1972 and celebrates its 40th anniversary this season. Manchester Camerata is chamber-orchestra-in-residence at The Bridgewater Hall, and presents an annual series here and at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). The orchestra also performs across the North West and enjoys flourishing residencies in Stafford, Ulverston, Colne and Doncaster. Current Music Director Gábor Takács-Nagy was appointed in 2011 and Leader Giovanni Guzzo joined in 2010. A central part of Manchester Camerata's work is an innovative, vibrant and award-winning learning and participation programme.
PAUL FLOWERS
Paul Flowers is the Chair of the Board of the Co-operative Banking Group and is therefore also the Chair of the Co-operative Bank plc, the Co-operative Insurance Society Ltd., the Co-operative General Insurance Co. Ltd., Co-operative Asset Management Ltd. and a range of smaller subsidiary companies. Paul has been a Minister of the Methodist Church since 1975 serving in a variety of locations around the country. He is currently in a part-time appointment serving two churches in urban villages in Bradford. A member of the Labour Party, appointed in 2011 by the Leader of the Opposition as a member of the Party’s Finance and Industry Board, he has recently retired as a member of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council. Always engaged in community life wherever he has lived he has invariably chaired or served on the Boards and committees of many community based organisations. He is currently a member-elected Trustee of the Terrence Higgins Trust, the country’s largest HIV and sexual health charity, and Chair of the Board of the Manchester Camerata Orchestra Ltd.
For further information about the orchestra please visit:
www.manchestercamerata.co.uk