Cruises

The outreach programme of the English Chamber Orchestra

Mission Statement
Close Encounters aims to inspire a life-changing enjoyment of the performing arts which transcends boundaries of age, background, ability, culture and geography.



Close Encounters is the English Chamber Orchestra’s outreach programme, which exists to deliver high quality projects in the community. It has been in existence since 1997 running workshops in London, the south of England and in townships in South Africa. The outreach team comprises ECO musicians, an animateur and actors whose fertile imaginations and skills are combined to devise, plan and lead its wide range of music and drama workshops. These take place in many locations including schools, hospitals, clinics and concert halls. Workshop activities include music and drama improvisation; performances; A-level composition workshops; instrumental coaching and training sessions for students and teachers.

Up to 3000 children and 200 adults participate annually in Close Encounters projects.

Objectives
• To make a meaningful artistic contribution to the community and to society.
• To encourage the off-platform professional development of the musicians.

Thereby enabling everyone to:

• Explore and develop their creative music and drama potential.
• Build confidence, self esteem and respect for others.
• Use the skills thus acquired to lead a richer life and make their own contribution to their communities.

Programme
ECO Close Encounters outreach work falls into three main overlapping categories:

Artist in Society
Creative workshops in schools, communities and hospitals.

Art Form Development
Work exploring improvisation in music and drama.

Audience Development
Concert Satellites linked to ECO Concerts at
Cadogan Hall. These workshops are led in schools and are designed to enrich the concert experience for young people and their families.

More information
If you are interested in supporting or taking part in future Close Encounters activities, please contact Marilyn Groves, our Outreach Manager on 020 8840 6565 or marilyn.groves@englishchamberorchestra.co.uk

Follow these links for details of individual projects:

The Snow Queen 2007
The Snow Queen