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Latest guidance on the route out of lockdown
Post date: Monday, 12 July 2021 - 11:54am

All four nations of the UK are starting to open up again after lockdown, each with a different roadmap and timeline. 

Throughout May and June leisure-time music groups can expect to be rehearsing - and even performing - outdoors and in some cases indoors across the UK. However these routes out of lockdown are provisional only, with risk assessments and mitigations attached to each stage.

Making Music’s free coronavirus guidance tool reflects what the latest rules mean for leisure-time music groups in each of the four nations of the UK.

Protect Duty – suggested legislation to make implementation of anti-terrorist measures compulsory for venues above 100 capacity & operators at venues
Post date: Friday, 2 July 2021 - 5:30pm

This consultation by the Home Office on a proposed ‘Martyn’s law’ – named after one of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack – would apply across all four nations of the UK and mean that any venue with a capacity of 100+ would have to assess the risk of terrorist threat in their locality and implement appropriate mitigating measures.

England Step 3 guidance for choirs – only 6 indoors
Post date: Friday, 25 June 2021 - 11:52am

Many choirs and singing groups think the new rule of only six singers indoors is unjustified, so Making Music has been working with its partner organisations in Singing Network UK (SNUK) to shape a response to government, and to help all choir singers to play their part in this campaign

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) updated its Performing Arts Guidance with regard to step 3 of the England roadmap on 18 May.

Take part in the Protect Duty consultation
Post date: Thursday, 17 June 2021 - 5:46pm

The government is currently consulting on potential new legislation, the Protect Duty, which is about making publicly accessible buildings, and those who operate them, legally bound to assess and mitigate potential risks from terrorism.

The intention is to make the public realm safer and to prevent tragedies like the Manchester Arena attack. It is therefore intended to help the public feel safer when they attend events or activity in publicly accessible buildings and spaces.

Corporate member blog: Tutti
Post date: Thursday, 17 June 2021 - 1:22pm

Gabriel Isserlis, CEO and founder of Tutti, tells us all about his startup for booking creative space.

Tutti is a one-stop shop for finding, comparing and booking rehearsal and performance space in London. 

If you’ve ever felt frustrated at not being able to find somewhere to rehearse or have struggled to coordinate booking a space for your band, ensemble, quartet or choir, then Tutti can help. 

Get involved in the UK’s biggest ever Thank You Party!
Post date: Monday, 14 June 2021 - 5:12pm

Making Music believes many members will be interested in this great initiative on Sunday 4 July – and it’s very light touch if your singing, playing or organising skills are a bit rusty after 18 months! Read on to find out more from the organisers.

After a hard 18 months, we’ve all got someone to say thank you to. Whether it’s the frontline staff, the delivery driver, conductors for navigating zoom rehearsals, bus drivers, or friends and neighbours – we want to get together to say thanks to them all.

Return to rehearsals member blog: Invicta Jazz Orchestra
Post date: Friday, 11 June 2021 - 5:01pm

With Step 3 now in effect in England, David Price of Invicta Jazz Orchestra outlines how his group made a safe and long-awaited return to in-person rehearsals.

Last year, after a few weeks of uncertainty, we held our final rehearsal of 2020 in the middle of March, while one by one our engagements for the summer were cancelled, including a planned trip to the Bath Fringe Festival.

Hopes of a return in the autumn were shattered by the second lockdown and the rapid spread of the Kent variant.

Adopt a Music Creator blog: A welcome in-person return
Post date: Thursday, 10 June 2021 - 4:30pm

Foss Foster of Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra shares her group's delight on returning to in-person activity for Adopt a Music Creator 2020/21 – a special rehearsal which a spot of chilly weather couldn't prevent.

I'm writing this on 23 May and we’ve been in Scottish Level 2 restrictions since 17 May. This meant that we could meet outside and play in socially-distanced groups.

Return to rehearsals member blog: North Kingston Choir
Post date: Thursday, 10 June 2021 - 12:45pm

Penny Hamilton of North Kingston Choir reflects on a successful return to in-person singing and looks ahead to a sunny (fingers crossed) outdoor rehearsal programme over the coming months.

In early June, we held our first in-person choir rehearsal, more than a year since our last rehearsal was cancelled back in March 2020. Suddenly seeing everyone in real life was exhilarating and comforting in its familiarity. 

Safeguarding pressures — new report
Post date: Wednesday, 9 June 2021 - 6:11pm

Mark Foster of the Child Protection Company highlights how safeguarding responsibilities have shifted during the pandemic, and the importance of creating a safe environment for all your music makers.

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