News

Surrey Performing Arts Library – a national resource under threat
Post date: Friday, 22 December 2017 - 11:13am

Music libraries are by no means used by all Making Music members. But to those groups that rely on them, these resources are a lifeline; enabling them to access a vast repertoire via Inter Library Loans, at a cost which ensures they can survive as a self-funded community group.

Councils, though, struggling as they are with their finances, are increasingly unable to provide a music library. In some cases (for example Nottingham and Norwich), Making Music has been able to work with the local authority to help develop sustainable models for such services.

Play under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle
Post date: Monday, 18 December 2017 - 1:00pm

The Berlin Philharmonic is looking for 100 leisure-time musicians to perform Johannes Brahms’s First Symphony on 21 May 2018 as part of their Education Programme’s BE PHIL Orchestra project.

You could play on Berliner Philharmonie stage in the place normally occupied by the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle.

Google Ad Grants changes - if you have an Adwords account, you need to read this!
Post date: Thursday, 14 December 2017 - 12:46pm

This morning, Google sent out a notification email to 35,000 Google Ad Grant holders warning of forthcoming changes to eligibility criteria. They include some very significant differences meaning that, if you are currently using Adwords with a Google Ad Grant to advertise your group's website, you are likely to have some adjustments to make to keep your account open in the new year.

A Culture Strategy for Scotland - Conversation summary
Post date: Friday, 8 December 2017 - 6:03pm

Since June 2017, the Scottish Government have been speaking to artists, cultural organisations and communities across the country in the first stage of developing a  culture strategy for Scotland. The culture strategy will create an overarching framework to support the long term development of culture in Scotland.

A homecoming in Newcastle
Post date: Tuesday, 5 December 2017 - 4:52pm

Composer Edmund Hunt looks back on his first rehearsals with Newcastle-based choir The Singers for the Adopt a Composer project. 

Guest blog: Bach? Lloyd Webber? Ellington?
Post date: Monday, 4 December 2017 - 4:50pm

When we speak to new adult pupils we always hear stories of ‘I used to play when I was younger and I’ve always wanted to get back into it’. Perhaps you feel the same but ‘getting back into it’ feels too daunting a task. Sure, it takes a bit of confidence to make the initial enquiry but most music schools will wrap you up in a big warm welcome to put you at ease.  

First Encounters of a handbell kind
Post date: Tuesday, 28 November 2017 - 4:25pm

What a great evening we had when Peter Yarde Martin (composer) and Jenni Pinnock (mentor) ventured to Honingham for a Thursday evening practice session!

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Post date: Tuesday, 28 November 2017 - 12:59pm

We have had a few enquiries recently about the new data protection regulations –GDPR– due to take effect from May 2018. It is good to know that groups are thinking about this.

Most people like to know that any data someone holds on them is safe, and used in a fair way. If you are running a music group it is reasonable that anyone you work with would expect the same of the data you hold on them.

So considering how you collect and use data is a good thing to be doing in general - and GDPR is an excellent opportunity to review your practices.

Clare Edwards awarded 2017 Lady Hilary Groves Prize
Post date: Monday, 27 November 2017 - 3:52pm

Dorothy Wilson, Chair of Making Music, presented Clare Edwards with the Lady Hilary Groves Prize for 2017 at a concert this Saturday.

Awarded to one individual in the UK each year, the Prize is presented for outstanding contribution to music in the community.

Developing a Culture Strategy for Scotland
Post date: Wednesday, 22 November 2017 - 3:35pm

In June 2017, the Scottish Government began writing a Culture Strategy for Scotland, which is due to be completed in 2018, and will ‘position culture as having intrinsic value and contributing both directly and indirectly to the health, wealth and success of our nation’.

At the launch in Glasgow, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop emphasised that the process will be “part of an ongoing debate around the role that culture has in all our futures. We are keen to take the conversation to as many people as possible”.

A chance to be heard

Connect with us

Instagram