Kirklees Year of Music 2023 announces first two month’s programme
Kirklees Year of Music 2023 (KYOM23) gets underway with an exciting programme of musical moments in January and February including a variety of live performances, a special podcast series, and the chance for local artists to sign up for a special showcase later this year.
What is Kirklees Year of Music
Led by Kirklees Council in partnership with their local musical community KYOM23 will celebrate the areas rich musical heritage. As well as promoting the growth of new music that can be heard proudly playing from the towns and villages around Huddersfield, Dewsbury and the Holme, Spen and Colne Valleys.
KYOM23 celebrates that Kirklees is a place where everyone can hear world class music. Where children and young people have access to high quality musical experiences and education. And where the next generation of music professionals can build and sustain a high-quality career. A career with access to the very best industry advice, opportunities and performance routes. Music is the beat of the area’s heart, the sound of its communities, and the pulse of its towns and villages.
Speaking about the year ahead, Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council said:
“I’m thrilled that Kirklees Year of Music is now underway with our first free, pop-up event taking place in Dewsbury on 21 January. It’s just the start of many great events to come across the whole of Kirklees. We have such an incredible, rich talented and diverse music community that there really will be something for everyone to get involved in.”
What is happening during Kirklees Year of Music?
KYOM23 will kick off with a range of events, activities and participation opportunities. These aim to raise the profile of music in Kirklees, support the local music community and showcase the diverse genres of music coming out of the region. Highlights include:
30 Jan – 5 Feb: Independent Venue Week
Independent Venue Week celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2023. KYOM23 is funding a series of diverse events across the region. There is something for everyone, from live jazz and dub to talks and even couples’ yoga!
Monthly: The TOWNSOUNDS podcast series
In association with Let’s Go Yorkshire, KYOM23 has commissioned series of 12 podcasts. These are hosted by musician Sam Hodgson. The series will explore Kirklees’ rich musical heritage – past and present. It charts how music-making is at the heart of the community and in Kirklees’ DNA. Episode 1 explores the rich history of music festivals in Kirklees
This Summer, KYOM23 will also include HERD, a major new project devised by composer Orlando Gough and produced by Artichoke. HERD will take place from 11 to 16 July 2023, and include opportunities for local people to get involved. It will trace the cultural and industrial story of Kirklees through our multicultural musical traditions. This exciting event will be broadcast by a specially-crafted flock of oversized sheep sculptures wired for sound.
HERD is devised and directed by Orlando Gough, working with Charlie Morrissey, Dave Young, Sebastian Frost, and John Del’Nero, in collaboration with Hardeep Sahota, Mandeep Samra and the communities of Kirklees.
Other events taking place in January and February
16 Jan – 26 Feb: Music at Heritage Quay exhibition
From hand bell ringing to experimental jazz, the collections at Heritage Quay offer a wealth of insight into music-making, both locally and nationally. In the first of six exhibitions organised specially for the KYOM23, find out more about the music collections and the stories they contain.
week commencing 16 Jan: Sound Identities launch
If you could describe Kirklees through a piece of music, what would you choose? KYOM23 has commissioned seven artists to create seven new pieces of original music. Inspired by their environment and communities, each musician tells us what Kirklees means to them. Sharing different sides of Kirklees life spanning seven different genres from Folk to Bhangra, Brass to Rock.
Beginning 16 Jan: Kirklees Concert Season
This unique partnership between Kirklees Council and the Orchestra of Opera North brings world class music to Kirklees. With its sumptuous orchestral concerts and uplifting chamber concerts held at Dewsbury Town Hall and Huddersfield Town Hall.
18 Jan: Business & Employment Skills Webinar
Whether you are just starting out or have been running your business for years, this free webinar provides support for businesses of all sizes, sectors and stages of development. It will highlight the range of support on offer including business planning, mentoring and advice on accessing new markets.
26 Jan Opera North
The blazing energy and beautiful melodies of Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto fill the Huddersfield Town Hall. As Moscow-born Israeli pianist Boris Giltburg returns to the Orchestra of Opera North, following his triumphant Huddersfield performance of Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.
31 Jan Speak our Music, free wellbeing sessions for musicians
This free session will be hosted by West-Yorkshire based alternative rapper, producer and rap workshop facilitator Wilko Wilkes. This is an engaging and inspiring evening of non-judgemental discussions about mental health and music. Witness live rap from Wilko before taking part in an open creative writing session. There will also be an option to take the mic to perform to a supportive audience.
15 – 18 Feb Electric Spring
Electric Spring is back with the 2023 edition of the free festival of electronic music at the University of Huddersfield and dai Hall.
Mrs Sunderland Festival
With over 4000 performers, the Huddersfield festival hosts instrumental, vocal, choirs, musical theatre, speech and drama classes for all ages and abilities. Complemented by a series of workshops for adult singers, special needs schools, key stage two schools, as well as music for the brain and toddler workshops.
Opportunities for musical artists
Looking forward, in April, KYOM23 is working with Music Cities Events to run an international exchange programme the Artist Exchange Showcase as part of its Music Industry strand. We invite Kirklees musicians and bands to apply to an open call, that closes at midnight on the 5 February 2023. The selected artists will have the chance to perform at a showcase event broadcast to international buyers. Made up of festival organisers, tour and concert organisers, record label managers and artist managers. The call is looking for ready to market artists or bands who write and perform their own material, providing an incredible opportunity to build contacts. You can apply here.