Celebrating ten years of great city music

To say Martin Cropper comes from a musical family is something of an understatement.

His great-grandfather was leader of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and his great-uncle was principal viola player in the BBC Philharmonic for 35 years. His father, well-known Sheffield violinist Peter Cropper, founded Sheffield’s Music In The Round - the largest promoter of chamber music outside London - and his mother is violin teacher Nina Martin.

“Until the age of five, I thought everyone played the violin,” he laughs.

Martin CropperMartin Cropper
Martin Cropper
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Today, Martin himself is musical director of Sheffield Music Academy, the music school his dad Peter was charged with launching in the city 10 years ago.

“It was the Arts Council that identified Sheffield as an area that would benefit from a centre for advanced training in music,” explains Martin, aged 39.

“They approached my dad and he was tasked with setting it up.”

When the academy first opened its doors in 2006, they had just 13 students and a handful of staff. A decade on, it is a thriving music school offering an outstanding programme to more than 100 students in the region.

Sheffield Music AcademySheffield Music Academy
Sheffield Music Academy
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And the academy’s students, all aged eight to 19, are currently busy preparing for a very special date in their diaries - a concert at Sheffield Cathedral on July 16 to celebrate the academy’s 10-year anniversary.

“Sadly dad won’t be there to see it, as he passed away in 2014, but I know he’d be delighted,” says Martin.

“I’m extremely proud to lead the academy into their second decade, supporting and nurturing the next generation of talent in this fantastic city.”