Hallé

Now entering its 157th season, the Hallé ranks among the UK's top symphonic ensembles. Founded by Sir Charles Hallé in Manchester, the Hallé gave its first concert in the Free Trade Hall on 30 January 1858. Sir Mark Elder became Music Director in 2000.

The Hallé has a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in this country and around the world and now performs over 70 concerts a year in The Bridgewater Hall, its Manchester home; over 40 concerts annually throughout the rest of Britain; international tours; broadcasts and televised performances. In 2013, the Hallé’s new rehearsal, recording and small concert space, Hallé St Peter's, was opened by the Hallé's Patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex.

A restored church in Ancoats, the venue provides a home for the Hallé, its choirs and youth orchestra as well as an exciting space for education workshops. Last season over a quarter of a million people heard the Hallé, of which more than 44,000 were inspired by the Hallé’s pioneering education programme. Generating over 65 projects a year, it exists to create a wider enjoyment and understanding of music throughout the whole community. The Hallé remains determined to seek ways to enhance and refresh what it undertakes. It aspires to provide artistic leadership through performance standards, artistic understanding and education and training, working with partners in Manchester and beyond.

Kath Russell, Director of Development at the Hallé: "The Hallé has found that Patron membership of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has helped to extend the reach of our brand and organisation to a new network of potential supporters and audience members. Much of the education and community work of the Hallé is relatively low profile as we primarily target schools and colleges. With our Patron membership of the Chamber we have been able to raise the profile of this work and encourage greater involvement from the corporate sector."