Streetwise Opera, 2009 Gramophone Award winner for Music in the Community, is to form a new partnership with the The Sage Gateshead.

Streetwise Opera helps homeless and formerly homeless people to further their personal development through music. The choir will be based at the Sage from September 2010, allowing the two organisations to step up initiatives for choir members and to make the most of a £90,000, three-year grant given to Streetwise Opera from the Northern Rock. Plans include work placements and further performance opportunities.

“We are honoured to be working in partnership with The Sage Gateshead, an organisation at the forefront of community music-making in the UK and the world,” said Streetwise founder Matt Peacock. “This is a strong collaboration of two organisations who are specialists in providing the maximum opportunities and benefits for people in the community through music.”