Music inspired by Barrow's high street to premiere

Professional musician Maz O’Connor will soon be working with George Hastwell School to create musical compositions inspired by Barrow’s Duke Street thanks to a new Historic England and Live Music Now project. A public performance of the new piece will take place this summer on July 17.

Musician Jorgie Wilson will be working alongside Maz. Wilson is a 21-year-old singer/songwriter from Barrow-In-Furness. She said that she is interested in discovering more about local heritage and gaining further experience in the industry while helping to make music more accessible for others.

Ellen Harrison, Head of Creative Programmes and Campaigns at Historic England, said: “We’re delighted to have commissioned Live Music Now to co-create new musical pieces across six High Street Heritage Action Zones, bringing live performances to the high street this summer.

"Each piece will be shaped by local people and their experiences of their neighbourhood, so we’re delighted to be working with a diverse cast of musicians and community groups to express their pride of place through music.” 

‘Round Here is part of the wider High Street Heritage Action Zone in Barrow. Six High Street Heritage Action Zone communities across England will work with a professional musician and young emerging talent to draw out their thoughts, experiences and memories to create beautiful and unique musical compositions.

Maz O’Connor is a singer, songwriter and composer from Barrow. Based in London since leaving university, Maz returns to Cumbria often to enjoy the beautiful landscape and see family.

By harnessing the connective power of music, the project seeks to strengthen connections with our surroundings, in particular the local high street.

The new pieces will be performed in live musical moments across all six sites and produced into a series of music videos curated by a young digital creative to celebrate the secrets of the heritage in our high streets.