From nervous beginners to professional musicians, community choirs to future rock stars, The Music Place has spent three decades helping Altrincham find its voice. As it prepares to celebrate its 30th birthday, founder Lucy McElhinney reflects on the people, performances and friendships that have made it much more than a music school
When Lucy McElhinney opened The Music Place in 1997, she had a fairly simple idea of what she wanted it to be.
“I always wanted it to have a family feel,” she says. “I wanted it to be warm and welcoming. Lots of people have stories of music teachers who were scary and harsh and killed the joy of music. I wanted it to feel joyful and kind.”
Almost 30 years later, that philosophy still runs through the music school tucked away above the shops on Railway Street in Altrincham town centre.
Head up the freshly repainted piano-key steps and you’ll find nine teaching rooms in a charming period house, enough space for the current roll-call of 500 one-to-one students, with hundreds more taking part in bands, choirs and other groups. Piano remains the most popular instrument, closely followed by singing and guitar, but lessons range from drums and saxophone to violin, cello, flute and clarinet.
Remarkably, some of the people who helped Lucy get started are still here.
Piano tutor Johnny Musgrave, a close friend who helped paint and prepare the premises when money was tight, has been involved from the beginning. Several other tutors have clocked up more than 20 years.
Lucy herself arrived at the idea by a slightly unconventional route. She studied anthropology and sociology at university in Hull - while spending much of her spare time making music - before trying life as a professional saxophonist, touring the country with a band.
Eventually she realised that performing professionally wasn’t for her, but leaving music certainly wasn’t an option.
“Music has always been where my passion lies,” she says.
Her mother was a music teacher and even taught piano at The Music Place during its early years. Three decades on, that sense of continuity extends to its pupils too.
One family has now brought four generations through the school. Former pupil Jamie Safiruddin arrived aged just six and went on to become a successful jazz and session pianist, performing with artists including Kylie Minogue, Brand New Heavies and Will Young.
The Music Place has also welcomed some particularly musical Altrincham families over the years, with the children of Johnny Marr, Ian Brown, Clint Boon and Oasis guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs among those to have taken lessons.
But Lucy is equally proud of pupils who just play for pleasure.
“The bit I love is seeing people flourish,” she says. “Especially the ones who are really nervous and they get through a performance, and afterwards they’re buzzing.
“For some children who might be struggling in other areas, music can be a brilliant outlet. But for others it’s just something they enjoy – and that’s just as important. It’s about getting the joy from it.”
That joy increasingly takes The Music Place beyond its teaching rooms.
Its musicians are familiar faces at local community events like the Manchester Marathon and the Christmas Lights Switch-On, while recent performances have ranged from a festival at Into the Wild to an ambitious Take That-themed concert featuring around 150 singers and a 20-piece orchestra at St Peter’s Church in Hale.
Perhaps the project closest to Lucy’s heart, however, is Vibrant Voices.
Led by professional musician Clare Morel, the Wednesday afternoon choir at Bowdon Parish Centre began as a dementia-friendly singing group but has evolved into a welcoming community for anyone who might benefit from an uplifting hour of music.
Lucy knows its value personally - her mum had Alzheimer’s and attended the choir herself.
“Sometimes people become non-verbal, but they can still sing,” says Lucy. “That happened with my mum. She was struggling in a lot of ways, but as soon as the music was on, she was back. It was quite remarkable.”
Some members originally came with partners or relatives living with dementia and continued attending after their loved one died. Carers find friendship and support there too.
“It’s just an hour where you can forget it all and be supported,” Lucy says. “You see people come to life.”
There is plenty of new life at The Music Place too.
Lucy now runs the school alongside Jo McCallum and Harriet Dagnall, while this anniversary year is bringing several new groups. Saturday Strum offers relaxed guitar and ukulele sessions for beginners and more experienced players, while there is also a new youth jazz band, a contemporary vocal harmony group for teenagers and, for the first time, an adult rock and pop band.
The celebrations will culminate in a 30th anniversary ball at the Bowdon Rooms next March, with live music and performances from students and staff.
For anyone tempted to make this the year they finally learn an instrument, Lucy has one piece of advice: just try it.
“There’s no age limit,” she says. “We recently had somebody take up singing lessons at 86. Sometimes it takes trying a couple of instruments before you find the one for you.
“It’s such a great skill to have. It’s something you can take with you through life.”
Thirty years after opening the doors, Lucy still has no intention of slowing down.
“I’m very fortunate because I absolutely love my job,” she says. “I love the challenges, constantly renewing things and thinking of new and exciting things to do. I still get a real buzz out of it.”
Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time, returning to music after years away or looking for a group to join, The Music Place would love to hear from you. Visit themusicplace.co.uk or call 0161 928 3337 for more information
