The Hallé and the Royal United Services Institute have announced a new collaboration, marking the world’s first partnership between a think tank and an orchestra.
The two organisations will come together over the next two years to explore their respective fields.
The partnership will be inaugurated on 10 November with an evening of music from the Great War, including works by Ralph Vaughan Williams and George Butterworth. The concert will take place at RUSI’s historic headquarters in Whitehall.
RUSI offers ‘independent thinking on defence and security’.
In 2015 RUSI and the Hallé will explore ‘leadership in music and the military’, with music director Mark Elder (pictured) and a leading military figure.
Professor Michael Clarke, director-general of RUSI said: ‘I am really excited about this partnership. Our Conflict, War and Culture Programme explores the relationships between art and conflict, and the Hallé brings its own understanding of this complex phenomenon in much of its music. They are a wonderful orchestra with which to have a partnership and I know that together we can do some startling and ground-breaking things between true professionals from quite different backgrounds.’
John Summers, chief executive of Hallé said: ‘We are very much looking forward to what promises to be a unique and rewarding relationship between the Hallé and RUSI. The opportunities offered to both organisations are fascinating, and we eagerly anticipate both bringing, and receiving, insight and context to the many connections between both worlds.’
