(May 2007)

Air Products and Manchester Camerata, the leading UK chamber orchestra, have been awarded the prestigious Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008 Arts, Business and Sustainability Award, at the “BRAVO” Awards ceremony in Liverpool last month. The award is in recognition of their successful partnership which exemplifies a business and arts collaboration.

Arts & Business North West present the annual BRAVO awards to celebrate outstanding cultural and business partnerships. Both Air Products and Manchester Camerata are fully committed to making a positive difference to the communities in which they work and together, have reached many people:

• Sponsorship of Manchester Camerata’s concert season at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre since 2004, helping to bring world class orchestral music to Crewe and Nantwich.
• ‘Science and Sound,’ a series of workshops led by Camerata musicians and Air Products technicians in 23 primary schools, which last year won a BRAVO Award for Best Community Investment Partnership.
• This year the partnership made news with 'Cosmic Notes,' an innovative National Science and Engineering Week program. Students from three schools composed wake-up music for the residents of the International Space Station, with help from Manchester Camerata musicians and Air Products science ambassadors.

Stephen Crocker, Manchester Camerata’s Head of Development, commented, “Our musicians and Air Products have developed a hugely rewarding, if unusual, relationship, and I am thrilled that this partnership has been recognised by Arts & Business in this way.”

Phil Tranter, Air Products Manager - UK/Ireland Packaged Gases Marketing, received the award on behalf of Air Products. He said, "Collectively, we have been able to give local school children some very unique opportunities, as well as giving Air Products employees and the community the chance to enjoy world class orchestral music at a local venue. I was proud to accept this on behalf of all involved."

Barclay Price, Acting Director of Arts & Business said, “Not content just to bring orchestral music to Crewe and Nantwich, they expanded their partnership to bring a fantastic and completely unique series of workshops to the schools of the area. I hope that partnerships such as this will encourage more businesses, individuals and arts organisations to think of ways that they can get involved and learn more from each other.”

For more information, contact Katie McDonald at 610-481-3673.