The University of Liverpool is delighted to announce its new community Affiliate Organisations at The Tung Auditorium for 2025–2027: Early Music as Education (EMAE) and Dr Jazz and the Cheshire Cats.
Following an open call to music organisations across Merseyside, both groups impressed the selection panel with their creativity, community spirit, and passion for making music accessible to all.
As Affiliate Organisations, EMAE and Dr Jazz and the Cheshire Cats will each benefit from a two-year partnership with The Tung Auditorium – part of the University’s Yoko Ono Lennon Centre. The collaboration includes the opportunity to present up to three concerts per year, work alongside the University’s Department of Music staff and students both onstage and behind the scenes and access the venue’s state-of-the-art performance facilities.
Their tailored support package includes use of The Tung Auditorium’s performance and backstage spaces, technical and box office assistance, front-of-house staffing, and marketing promotion. Exciting plans for the coming year already include a Big Band mini festival and a Baroque showcase from EMAE’s acclaimed String Academy.
Richard Hartwell, Artistic Director of The Tung Auditorium said: “We had a fantastic response to our call for Affiliate Organisations, and it was good to see so many great ideas from across the community.
“Dr Jazz and the Cheshire Cats and Early Music as Education really stood out for their exciting vision of how they’ll work with Music students and staff whilst also presenting interesting ideas for The Tung Auditorium programme. We can’t wait to welcome them into the space.”
Lizzie Elliott, Music Director, Early Music as Education, said: “It’s a great honour to have been chosen as an affiliate organisation with The Tung Auditorium.
“We look forward to performing in this inspiring venue with our Liverpool String Academy orchestra and to working with the music students at the University of Liverpool.
“We feel that being a part of this affiliate scheme will enhance our students’ education by providing them with many more exciting opportunities over the next two years. We can’t wait to get started.”
Helen Apps, Dr Jazz and the Cheshire Cats, Saxophone, said: “As a not-for-profit group of like-minded friends and musicians we get huge pleasure from sharing our love of jazz music with the community.
“This is a huge honour for us and we’re thrilled to have been given this opportunity to work with upcoming new talent and perform to a wider new audience on this iconic stage.”
Lisa Colton, Head of the Department of Music, said: “The Tung Affiliate Scheme connects our university with the rich musical culture of the region. It provides opportunities for excellent, external groups to showcase their activities in the Tung Auditorium, as well as offering enrichment student experience.”