News

Torbay Symphony Orchestra and Richard Gonski win RPS Inspiration Award
Post date: Tuesday, 14 March 2023 - 3:59pm

We sit down with Richard Gonski, music director of Torbay Symphony Orchestra, to discuss their Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Inspiration Award 2023, decided by public vote. 

Could you tell us a bit about your history working with Torbay Symphony Orchestra? 

I moved to Devon from London in 1996 and a few years later was asked to become conductor of what was then the Torbay Light Orchestra. At the first rehearsal, I asked that the orchestra change its name to Torbay Symphony Orchestra (TSO), which they very graciously agreed to. 

Nominate for the 2024 New Year Honours List
Post date: Friday, 10 March 2023 - 1:36pm

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) invites the public to recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of extraordinary individuals and those that have made a significant contribution to the UK. 

Do you know someone in your group who has devoted their time to organising charity events, someone that’s gone above and beyond to help your group shine in the last year or is dedicated to creating accessible music events for your local community? Champion the heroes in your life that enrich the leisure-time music scene.

Six inspiring female composers of colour
Post date: Wednesday, 8 March 2023 - 2:41pm

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Making Music spotlights six iconic female composers of colour, a demographic that very often gets underrepresented in the music industry. 

Adopt a Music Creator blog: An ethereal atmosphere
Post date: Monday, 6 March 2023 - 12:24pm

Pippa Moore, member of the Reading Youth Orchestra (RYO), reflects on her group's Adopt a Music Creator 2022 collaboration with the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) and Caitlin Harrison. 

The 29 October 2022 saw the world premiere of Caitlin Harrison’s From Dawn To Dreams, a piece she had developed during the year and which we had been learning for several months. 

Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Gospel Academy wins BBC Gospel Choir of the Year
Post date: Wednesday, 1 March 2023 - 3:26pm

Ellah Kandi, choir leader of Making Music member group Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Gospel Academy (EAGA), takes us through her group's journey to winning the BBC Gospel Choir of the Year 2023 award.

Adopt a Music Creator blog: From dawn to dreams
Post date: Sunday, 19 February 2023 - 11:17am

Caitlin Harrison takes us through her journey working with not one, but two music groups as part of the Adopt a Music Creator 2022 project. 

Championing young musicians with the Royal Over-Seas League
Post date: Friday, 17 February 2023 - 10:13am

Making Music is delighted to be partnering with the Royal Over-Seas League for the newly expanded PDGYA scheme to support the career development of promising young musicians.

The Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artists scheme (PDGYA) recognises some of the UK’s top young musical talents and provides Making Music groups with an affordable way of booking artists.

New classical music performance tariff from PRS includes discount for leisure-time music groups
Post date: Wednesday, 15 February 2023 - 2:59pm

Following extensive consultation, PRS for Music has announced its revised live classical music tariff, effective from 1 September 2023

Making Music, as well as members, fed into the protracted consultation which was delayed by Covid. PRS has now confirmed that among other changes, the new tariff allows a 50% discount for amateur groups, defined as, ‘an individual or group operated by primarily unpaid volunteers and where most revenues are used to maintain this group.’ 

OTR service provides £0.5 million in extra income
Post date: Tuesday, 7 February 2023 - 12:29pm

Making Music helps leisure-time instrumental groups claim £500,000 with the Orchestra Tax Relief service, which they can invest back into equipments, performances and commissioning new music.

Making Music, the UK’s membership organisation for leisure-time music, is delighted to announce that since setting up an Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) service in 2017, we have been able to support our instrumental member groups by claiming half a million pounds on their production costs from HMRC, helping groups put money back into running costs.

Adopt a Music Creator blog: A real collaboration
Post date: Monday, 30 January 2023 - 9:44am

Edgar Divver reflects on his work with the Bedfordshire Woodwind Academy Flute Ensemble for Adopt a Music Creator 2022.

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