Today, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed that:
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Following the announcement by the UK government last week, Making Music were told originally by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) that their performing arts guidance for England would be updated on Monday 14 September. The day came and went with no update to that guidance, only to that on ‘meeting safely with others’ and an FAQ which referenced amateur music groups.
We asked for clarification on Tuesday, but have not received an answer.
Making Music is seeking clarification from the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) about the new rule for social meetings of no more than 6 people.
Currently, our interpretation is that the rule of six applies to social gatherings. Organised music activity risk assessed and managed by organisations, outdoors or in Covid-19 secure venues such as our member groups’ rehearsals, is not social interaction.
However, we are looking to the DCMS to confirm that our reading is correct.
The inaugural Making Music Awards took place on Tuesday 8 September 2020, following the 85th Annual General Meeting of the National Federation of Music Societies
Making Music is delighted to announce that Vilma Weaver, Musical Director and Conductor of Coventry’s Ashira Singers, has been awarded the Lady Hilary Groves Prize.
The prestigious prize is presented annually to an individual from a Making Music member group who has had a significant impact on their group’s success or made an outstanding contribution to community music.
The team behind MoistureGuard introduce their new range of products to help wind and brass players safely return to rehearsing and performing
Our Virtual Concert Series this summer has featured over 60 of our member groups and showcased the variety of music that our members have been making across the UK, both before and during lockdown. Now, we're asking you to vote for your favourite video from the series, and the winning video will be announced and shared at the Making Music AGM and Awards ceremony on Tuesday 8 September.
Stella Duffy, Co-Director of Fun Palaces, explains how everyone can take part in this year's celebration of community culture on 3 & 4 October
Fun Palaces will be different this year – sometimes smaller, always safer, but just as remarkable. We're going ahead with our annual weekend of action on the first weekend in October, and we're aiming for 1000 TINY Fun Palaces!
Making Music is delighted to announce the winners of the Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artists award: Elizabeth Bass (harp), Sirius Chau (flute), Eleanor Corr (violin), Natasha Page (soprano), and Antoine Préat (piano)
Making Music warmly welcomes the update published by DCMS to their performing arts guidance for England on 13 August.
While there are still special (important and appropriate) caveats relating to amateur music activity, the outright ban has been removed. Choirs, bands and orchestras are now able to meet again for rehearsals, provided that social distancing of 2m can be maintained at all times and certain other conditions are met.