Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, City Centre

Chetham’s School of Music

Chetham’s School of Music is the premier and largest music school in the UK: it is unique to the region as the only Music School based in the North of England. Chetham’s provides world class education to talented young musicians from all over the country and the world.

The existing medieval building contains the first public library in England, which boasts amongst its’ scholars a certain Karl Marx. This medieval heart of Manchester features prominently in the history of the North West and is an architectural gem. It is currently not readily accessible to the public and one of the main design principles was to create a dialogue between the existing buildings, the new school and its wider context.

The musical heart of the School was in a building which was no longer fit for purpose and the School had outgrown the previous, existing building provision for teaching and learning through its increased success and profile.

The brief was to create a unique contemporary new building for the musical and academic teaching facilities, providing a state-of-the-art environment that would be a fitting platform for the students. A public auditorium will allow Chetham’s students to display their talents in a cultural centre for Manchester and the North West. Alongside ongoing regeneration in Central Manchester, the new building would provide an opportunity to consolidate the educational and cultural standing of Manchester on the international scene.