Ongoing research published in the Journal of Music, Health, and Wellbeing continues to provide strong evidence of the pandemic's huge impact...
Due to the impact of the pandemic, Making Music is part furloughing its team from 18 January to 31 March 2021, reducing capacity by around one third.
Making Music has taken the decision now while member groups are unable to meet, given the strict lockdowns or equivalent in all four nations of the UK.
Chief Executive Barbara Eifler says, “Until restrictions are eased or vaccinations have a significant impact, it is unlikely there will be any immediate changes to guidance or an opportunity for our groups to return to rehearsing or performing in person. We have therefore decided that in order to ensure the long term viability of the organisation for the public benefit, we need to make use of this government scheme.”
Making Music staff will still be available from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday, by phone and email, and all online events will continue as planned. These events provide a space for leisure-time music groups to discuss the impact of the pandemic on their activities, and help plan for a safe return to music making when government guidance allows. Throughout the pandemic, Making Music has also built up a catalogue of resources to support member groups, which are all available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Barbara Eifler says, “Current information suggests some in-person activity may resume from Easter, and so we want our team to be ready and working again at full strength by then, helping leisure-time music groups to navigate the post-Covid world and once more experience the infinite benefits and joys of live music making.”
