News

Welcome to our new corporate member test-meter
Post date: Tuesday, 2 November 2021 - 12:41pm

Since lockdown measures have eased, identifying poorly ventilated areas has become a priority area of risk assessment, and monitoring CO2 levels is a vital part of this. Our newest corporate member, test-meter, are experts in the field and are offering our member groups advice and a discount on a CO2 monitor to help. 

As society opens up after lockdown, the government has recommended that anyone organising activities should identify poorly ventilated spaces when risk assessing a space, to try and prevent further outbreaks of Covid. 

Spending review and budget 27 October 2021: headlines for leisure-time music groups
Post date: Friday, 29 October 2021 - 10:13am

It’s not often that the government budget and spending review creates headlines for leisure-time music groups, but this time it does: the Chancellor has just doubled Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) to 50%.

Participate in the 2022 European Orchestra Festival
Post date: Thursday, 28 October 2021 - 5:07pm

This exciting opportunity — originally scheduled for 2021 — has re-emerged for Making Music's member orchestras, thanks to our membership of the European Orchestra Federation. And you don't have to travel with your orchestra to take part — all individuals welcome too!

Final info (including schedule, list of workshops and participation conditions) can be found on their new website.

Corporate member blog: Music Mark
Post date: Wednesday, 20 October 2021 - 2:57pm

Communications and Marketing Manager Fi Simpson outlines the work of new corporate member Music Mark, and how they can support group activity with resources and networking events.

Blog: Men Who Sing - a documentary film for music makers far and wide
Post date: Friday, 15 October 2021 - 4:28pm

Marketing & Communications Officer Alex McGeever takes a look at documentary film Men Who Sing and what makes its characters tick ahead of our screening + director Q&A on 20 October.

Men Who Sing is a film that starts as it means to go on, easing us into the seaside town of Rhyl, North Wales, with calming establishing shots accompanied by the local choir’s delicate tones.

The group in question, Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir, has a proud history dating back to 1933. With an average age of 74, however, it faces a battle to survive.

Member blog: Helensburgh Orchestral Society
Post date: Thursday, 7 October 2021 - 5:22pm

Miriam Iorwerth updates us on Helensburgh Orchestral Society's musical activity during the pandemic, including award success for their MD and an exciting performance on the horizon.

Adopt a Music Creator blog: Back with a bang
Post date: Thursday, 30 September 2021 - 1:04pm

Sheila Biegala fills us in on a long-awaited return to in-person activity for Ugie Voices, who can now look forward to more joint rehearsals with Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra.

Ugie Voices are finally back to rehearsing in person! It is so wonderful to see everyone in person after so long with only Zoom rehearsals.

OTR in numbers
Post date: Wednesday, 29 September 2021 - 10:45am

Since HMRC launched the Creative Industries Tax reliefs in 2017, our OTR service has been a great success earning our instrumental groups over £250,000 of additional income.

On average, each group claimed back around 15% of their annual production costs which in some cases, amounted to over £10,000.

WellRehearsed app: first data and what they show
Post date: Thursday, 23 September 2021 - 10:20am

WellRehearsed is gathering vital data to help policy makers and music groups understand ongoing Covid risks

Initial data from the WellRehearsed app for leisure-time music groups created by abcd (Association of British Choral Directors) and Making Music show that since its launch in the summer, over 2,571 reports have been submitted from 2,209 rehearsals by choirs, wind or brass groups, and other instrumental groups with or without singers, wind and brass.

Be part of 'You Are Not Alone'
Post date: Tuesday, 21 September 2021 - 4:41pm

Dr Noël James, director & CEO of Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre, outlines an exciting new project to connect music makers across the world. 

Our project, 'You Are Not Alone', will be using the Cathal Smyth (formerly of Madness) song, ‘You're Not Alone’, to unite families and friends in the UK with their overseas counterparts. The power of music will bring together many individuals who have been isolated and kept apart by Covid-19.

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