Last Friday we said a fond ‘farewell’ to Education Director, Steve Pickett, who has worked tirelessly at the Hallé for the last 21 years.

During that time Steve transformed our outreach offer to schools and community settings, and brought classical music into the lives of thousands of people of all ages. Steve’s fundamental beliefs were always that music is for everyone, and that our wonderful orchestra has much inspiration and joy to offer beyond the formal concert platform. Steve devised our range of concerts for schools and several in-school projects that introduce children to classical music in a fun and creative way. Through Steve our work in settings such as care homes and hospitals has broadened and developed, and now includes regular relaxed concerts for specific audiences at Hallé St Peter’s.