Catherine Herring, volunteer events co-ordinator of Westerly Winds, tells the story of how their members decided to take their Grade 5 music theory exam amid a pandemic.
Many leisure-music groups have been impacted by the pandemic, and Bristol-based concert band Westerly Winds was no exception. Still, we worked hard to keep the group together and maintain the whirring of our musical cogs.
It’s that time of year again... Making Music has teamed up with Classic FM to showcase a variety of Christmas carols performed by our member groups.
Festival Director Tamara Kohler introduces the Festival of Contemporary Music for All, a biennial event bringing together music makers of all experiences and backgrounds.
Making Music's manager in Scotland, Alison Reeves, reflects on an uplifting Adopt a Music Creator (formerly Adopt a Composer) premiere from Aileen Sweeney and Helensburgh Oratorio Choir.
Like so many people, I’ve been anxious about going to live music events since restrictions eased. I’ve read the science, I’ve unpicked government guidance, I’ve written risk assessments, but I’ve still felt a little hesitant about putting myself back out there. So I was excited – but also timid – about attending my first live concert experience in almost two years.
Kate Foley of the City of Bristol Brass Band recounts her group’s feelings on preparing their premiere and recording with Laura Shipsey for Adopt a Music Creator (formerly Adopt a Composer) 2019/20.
David Greenhalgh, trustee of the Light Music Society, talks about his group’s mission and vision, and their return to live performances.
The Light Music Society is a members’ society dedicated to the preservation, promotion and performance of Light Music. A one-of-a-kind group, it is both a membership organisation and the custodian of the largest library and archive of its type, with a vast printed and manuscript music stock representing over 100 years of music making from the UK and abroad.
On 8 December, the UK Government announced that England will move to Plan B of the COVID-19 Autumn/Winter Plan. This is in response to increased risks posed by the Omicron variant of the virus.
This is not a lockdown - under Plan B measures, music group activities (rehearsing and performing) can still go ahead.
Making Music is sad to hear of the passing of Alex Murchie (1946-2021) who was a true friend to the organisation and an ever supportive volunteer, North Committee and Board member over the decades, as well as a very fine singer. Eric Cross of Newcastle Bach Choir, and Robin Osterley, former Chief Executive of Making Music, pay tribute below.
A tribute from Eric Cross, Newcastle Bach Choir:
Dan Goren, founding director of Composers Edition, talks about their fresh approach to contemporary music, publishing and leisure-time music making.
When we first launched our unique publishing service in 2013, it was to provide today’s hard-working composers with the means to reach a wide range of musicians and programmers, in a way that put them more in charge of their music. We did so knowing the amazing array of music composed today and that far more people could be enjoying performing and listening to contemporary repertoire than have traditionally done so.
The most recent data about the spread of Covid infections at leisure-time music group rehearsals shows that 4% of reported infections involved more than two individuals.
The app, created by abcd (Association of British Choral Directors) and Making Music, is intended to help understand ongoing Covid risks, and what guidance to offer.
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