News

Shortlist revealed for 2021 Making Music Awards
Post date: Thursday, 26 August 2021 - 4:47pm

We are thrilled to reveal the shortlist for the 2021 Making Music Awards, which will form part of an online celebratory evening of musical creativity on Wednesday 8 September.

The awards celebrate leisure-time music groups and their activity, and the often unrecognised talent that helps the sector to flourish across the UK.

The winner of the latest President’s Award (for exceptional voluntary service to Making Music) and the Lady Hilary Groves Prize (for an outstanding contribution to music in the community) will also be awarded.

Make some noise for COP26!
Post date: Wednesday, 25 August 2021 - 1:10pm

As the COP26 UN Climate Summit draws near, music makers from all walks of life are invited to make a noise for climate justice.

Following the viral success of rousing climate song ‘Enough is Enough’ by Karine Polwart, the Soundhouse Choir and Oi Musica in November 2020, the artists involved are launching a global call-out for anyone and everyone to get involved, sharing a message for world leaders ahead of critical talks due to be held in Glasgow from 1-12 November.

Guest blog: Singing to change the world
Post date: Thursday, 19 August 2021 - 4:29pm

Choral composer, Chris Hutchings, reflects on the difference that choirs can make to protecting our planet

Singing in a choir is about the most environmentally friendly possible way of performing music: we just need our voices and maybe a few bits of paper.

Vote for your favourite music group hero!
Post date: Tuesday, 17 August 2021 - 5:40pm

Now in their second year, the Making Music awards will feature a brand new category for 2021: Group Hero!

The Group Hero Award is for an individual, small team or committee who have gone above and beyond to keep their leisure-time music group together through the challenges of 2020. Now, we're asking you to vote for your favourite Group Hero. The winner will be announced at the Making Music AGM and awards ceremony on Wednesday 8 September.

Adopt a Composer blog: A marathon, not a sprint – a collaboration reshaped
Post date: Friday, 6 August 2021 - 4:39pm

In a new diary entry for Adopt a Composer 2019/20, Laura Shipsey recounts how her composition for City of Bristol Brass Band took a different turn in the wake of Covid.

Enter the Creative Lives Awards
Post date: Monday, 26 July 2021 - 3:42pm

The Creative Lives Awards - formerly the Epic Awards - are an annual celebration of the achievements of voluntary and community-led creativity. These awards are particularly popular among our membership, with many leisure-time music groups having been nominated and won prizes over the years!

Return to rehearsals member blog: Brewood Singers
Post date: Thursday, 22 July 2021 - 5:37pm

Jen Beardsmore, secretary of Brewood Singers, outlines the steps her group took to make a safe return to in-person music making.

How to keep your group going and keep members engaged
Post date: Wednesday, 21 July 2021 - 1:56pm

Now that the government has lifted the majority of lockdown restrictions, some music groups are starting to think about how to keep going and ensure that their members stay engaged. To help support our member groups with these concerns, we have pulled together a list of some of our relevant services.

The struggles of choirs in England
Post date: Wednesday, 14 July 2021 - 4:17pm

Many of you will know only too well that with no notice choirs were restricted from meeting indoors in groups of more than six in England from 17 May, when other kinds of music groups were able to convene in whatever number their venue could accommodate with social distancing of 2 metres.

England moves to step 4 of roadmap from 19 July
Post date: Tuesday, 13 July 2021 - 1:12pm

Following the government announcement on 12 July, England will move to step 4 of the roadmap on 19 July when most restrictions will be lifted. 

As of 13 July, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have not updated their guidance to reflect the move to step 4, however we expect that they will before 19 July. Following Secretary of State Oliver Dowden’s announcement on 6 July, we expect that as of 19 July non-professional music groups will be able to: 

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