IT NO longer breathes the trials and tribulations of Corrie’s residents but Old Granada Studios will soon be alive with the sound of music, as an orchestra commences this summer.
Headed up by Jonathan Raine - Allied London’s Associate Director by day, multitalented musician by night - the project aims to create a community within Spinningfields and the proposed St. John’s quarter, which Raine believes is currently lacking.
The orchestra is just the beginning of an exciting £1bn long-term plan for the area
Reviving the area as a key cultural hub is another major objective. Founded in 1954, Old Granada Studios was the headquarters for Granada Television until 2013 and formed the UK’s oldest operating purpose-built television studios. As well as informing a key part of British culture with the first ‘kitchen sink drama’ (no prizes for guessing its name), OGS has also played host to iconic productions like King Lear, Brideshead Revisited, Cracker and The Royle Family. It even witnessed the Beatles’ first ever TV performance in 1962.
Since the studios closed, ITV calls MediaCityUK its new home, leaving Old Granada’s cultural heritage somewhat in jeopardy. That’s where Allied London comes in: the property investment and development company is focusing on regenerating the destination as a platform for arts and culture; hosting events such as Manchester International Festival, the Buy Art Fair, the Soccerex Football Festival and most recently, a secret show by multiple Grammy award winner Kendrick Lamar.
Developer Allied London will soon begin work to transform Granada Studios into St John's Quarter
An orchestra typically contains 50 to 100 musiciansRaine’s initiative aims to bolster the studio’s musical offering; playing on his experience as a flautist, violinist, violist and composer. Those who are interested in applying, however, don’t need quite so many strings to their bow: it is an amateur orchestra after all. Any instruments are welcome, the more the merrier.
“A chamber orchestra typically has about 50 musicians, whilst a full-size or philharmonic orchestra is typically around 70 to 100. If we had over that, though, I’d be delighted nevertheless. I’m not putting any limits on it,” says Raine, who also says the music played will be influenced by whoever applies.
“My training is in classical but we’ll probably play a mixture, with some contemporary in there as well. The emphasis is on enjoyment”.
The orchestra is just the beginning of an exciting £1.3bn long-term mixed-use plan for the area, which includes The Factory; a new £110m arts space and permanent home to Manchester International Festival.
To get involved, email orchestra@oldgranadastudios.com
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