IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Hunts Bank Approach, MANCHESTER, M3 1DA

Audience having their tickets checked for the Hall's opening event - a live broadcast of the BBC Radio 3 programme 'IN TUNE'.

Technician tunes the grand piano at the opening of the new Stoller Hall at Chetham's School of Music.

Getting tickets for the Hall's first public concert.

Chetham's new Stoller Hall opens to the public

Chetham's Hospital School was founded in 1653 by Sir Humphrey Chetham, occupying buildings dating back to 1421. In 1969 Chetham's became a specialist co-educational music school. The older part of the school site is located just to the south of this location on the opposite side of Walker's Croft. In 2009 work commenced on substantial new extension, taking up the whole area bounded by Walker's Croft and Hunt's Bank and opposite the frontage of Victoria Station. The site had once been occupied by the administrative offices of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, demolished in the 1970s. The new building will be linked to the old site by a bridge.

The absence of arched roofs in the distance indicates that Manchester Exchange station's structure has been demolished. Otherwise, the 1923 canopies and weather shield over Great Ducie Street remains unchanged.

Pre-concert recital in the Atrium for the benefit of those attending the opening events.

Officials from the BBC and Chetham's prepare the stage and sound equipment for the Hall's opening events.

The magnificent new auditorium at Chetham's School of Music will serve not just the music students but the whole of the Manchester area, providing a much needed smaller performance space for recitals and Chamber music in the city. It is also very convenient for Metro users, being only minutes from the platform at Victoria Station.

Chetham's Hospital School was founded in 1653 by Sir Humphrey Chetham, occupying buildings dating back to 1421. In 1969 Chetham's became a specialist co-educational music school. The older part of the school site is located just to the south of this location on the opposite side of Walker's Croft. In 2009 work commenced on substantial new extension, taking up the whole area bounded by Walker's Croft and Hunt's Bank and opposite the frontage of Victoria Station. The site had once been occupied by the administrative offices of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, demolished in the 1970s and landscaped. The new building will be linked to the old site by a bridge. This is the view looking across Hunt's Bank from step leading up to the arena built over Victoria Station.