Making Music UK

Two people sitting at a table reviewing documents and writing notes, with printed papers and a notebook spread out in front of them. Both are wearing polka dot blouses.

Policies aren’t thrilling, but they’re vital for running your music group well. We’ve listed key policies with resources and templates to help you get started:

www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/gro...

A large orchestra in rehearsal, viewed from above and behind the conductor. The conductor stands on a podium with arms raised, leading a full ensemble of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players. Several people sit in the foreground with open scores, observing.

Looking for composer schemes to kickstart your career or try something new? @alterclassical.bsky.social has rounded up UK opportunities to help composers at different stages find the right next step.

Read more: www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/uk-...

Music for All’s funding round 4 of 2025 is NOW OPEN!

- Physical mobility
- Mental health and loneliness
- Choral groups
- Working with early years
- Recorders

For more info & to apply, see here: www.musicforall.org.uk/apply-for-fu...

Deadline for applications: 24 September 2025 at 12 noon.

A conductor wearing an orange "Make Music Day UK" t-shirt leads a group of musicians during an outdoor performance in a park. Several people watch or pass by in the background, with trees and striped deckchairs visible.

On 21 June, musicians across the UK filled parks, markets, libraries and heritage sites with live music for Make Music Day 2025. Thousands joined in this global celebration of music-making. See how our members took part:

www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/make-mu...

Photo of someone playing a black grand piano. Only the player's hands are visible. There appears to be someone seated next to them. They are reading from sheet music and the player's hands appear to be in a graceful pose.

How can music groups better support autistic musicians? Insights from our recent event explore how structure, communication, and small adjustments can make a big difference.

www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/insight...

#DisabilityPride

Silhouettes of five women in various colours (teal, orange, brown, pink, and blue) overlapping against a beige background filled with vintage sheet music. The image symbolizes diversity and representation of female composers of colour in music.

Is your group looking for new material to play? We've put together a thorough directory of resources you can use to diversify your repertoire. Have a look and be inspired with new and diverse music to play!

www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/div...

Connecting disabled musicians with adapted instruments Rachel Wolffsohn, General Manager of music disability charity The OHMI Trust

Did you know that musical instruments can be adapted so that people with physical disabilities are able to play them? Read about how Esther was able to play music again after a devastating loss.

www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/connect...

#DisabilityPride

It is Community Centre Week from 19 to 25 July. Local community centres are crucial to the leisure-time music sector (and other sectors). This week is about community power, so share this post and celebrate your local community centres! @barbaraeifler27.bsky.social

The Sitar Music Society – 10 years on! Atulkumar Patel, MBE, a Trustee of The Sitar Music Society, talks to us for South Asian Heritage Month about his society'

Atulkumar Patel, MBE, shares how the Sitar Music Society is keeping Indian classical music alive in Leicester. From baithak concerts to music schools, it’s all about connection, artistry and passing the joy on.

www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/sitar-m...

#SouthAsianHeritageMonth

Making a difference – How to campaign on a local issue (online event) 25th Jul 2025 10:00 | What do you do when a service, building or fund you need is under threat? This event brings together people in music groups who have successfully campaigned to change something…

Want to campaign for your music group but not sure where to start? Hear from groups who’ve done it and learn what really makes a difference. Join our free online event on 25 July for inspiration and advice.

www.makingmusic.org.uk/event/making...

Pathway to the Orchestra | Tŷ Cerdd │Welsh music Tŷ Cerdd is calling self-taught / untrained artists, composers and music-creators who would like to learn how to work with orchestral performers. This will be second iteration of Pathway to the…

Are you a music creator based in Wales and looking to learn how to write for orchestra? @tycerdd.bsky.social 's Pathway to the Orchestra programme could be for you!

www.tycerdd.org/pathway-to-t...

Are you running an exemplary project, activity or initiative that uses collective singing for people with additional needs? Add your details to the SWAN Project Database for best practices and share your knowledge with others!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

🥁 Today, we delivered our petition to the Chancellor – signed by over 37,000 citizens from every one of the UK’s 650 constituencies 🥁

💜 Thank you to everyone who signed, shared, and shouted about the petition.

@RachelReeves — over to you ⌛️

Petition: Make the arts part of UK National Renewal | Campaign for the Arts The Chancellor is reviewing all public spending from scratch. The arts make our lives happier and our communities stronger. Now is the moment to invest in them.

The Chancellor is deciding the future of public spending. Let's make sure that the government doesn't cut spending for the arts, which are vital to a society's wellbeing!

Sign the petition and make your voice heard:

www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/sp...

Photo of two people leaning over a desk signing documents.

This is a great article from our very own Barry Holloway (Making Music's Marketing Manager) demystifying performing rights for leisure-time music and the importance licensing.

ipaware.org/demystifying...

Happy Pride Month! How are you going to celebrate? Let us know in the comments below ⬇️

Photo: Surrey Rainbow Choir

#pridemonth

A group of people in matching orange shirts and white trousers play drums in a semi-circle outdoors, led by a conductor with drumsticks raised. They are performing in a public square near modern buildings and a water feature, under bright sunlight.

For Creative Health and Wellbeing Week, have a look at our webinar on the health benefits of taking part in the arts:
www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/web...

It's Creativity and Wellbeing Week! Tell us in the comments below how you will celebrate.⬇️ More info: creativityandwellbeing.org.uk #creativityandwellbeingweek

Why singing is good for you Samir Savant explores the many benefits of singing, from enhancing cognitive development in children and aiding memory in older a

@samirsavant.bsky.social discusses some of the benefits of singing, including cognitive development and aiding memory. Read more: www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/why-sin... #mentalhealthweek

Music - Travel Research Signup An educational tour company based in the UK is looking for UK-based Secondary School Teachers to take part in market research to help them develop a brand-new website.

This can be carried out from the comfort of your own home. Daytime and evening slots will be available the week commencing 2nd June. Click here to register your interest: travel-research-signup.co.uk/music/

Music - Travel Research Signup An educational tour company based in the UK is looking for UK-based Secondary School Teachers to take part in market research to help them develop a brand-new website.

A concert tour operator is looking for UK-based music group leaders to take part in market research to help them develop a brand-new website. Selected participants will be paid £100 in return for one-hour of their time on an online meeting platform. Continues in thread below:

Making Music presents awards and prizes to individual musicians, groups and organisations in both the leisure-time and professional sector.Some of these, suc... Making Music Awards Promo 2025

Have you seen our new video for our 2025 Awards? Our Awards celebrate those who make leisure-time music thrive. Your nominations can help raise their profile. Nominations are open until 6 June – watch the video, nominate today: www.youtube.com/watch?v=auGx...

Cover of Highnotes Summer Issue 2025, the Making Music membership magazine. The title reads “Building inclusion” with a subheading: “An introspective look into what we’ve learnt from our INCLUDE programme.” Other featured topics include: “Celebrate Pride with Music – spotlighting LGBTQ+ member groups”, “AI and Music Creation – Serpentine Gallery’s AI choral music project”, and “All About Fundraising – improve your group’s financial health.” The background shows a diverse choir mid-performance, wearing black with pink rose decorations. A circular sticker reads: “Share me with your group!”

The summer Highnotes is now live. Inside: INCLUDE insights, fundraising tips, LGBTQ+ features, Make Music Day highlights, and an AI choral exhibition. Click to read, download or share: www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/hig...

Four musicians perform on a wooden stage in vibrant red and black outfits. A woman plays the violin, a man plays the harpsichord, another woman plays the cello, and a man plays a recorder. Behind them is a grand harpsichord and a curtain lit with warm, colourful stage lights.

A swing band performs in front of a vintage aircraft in a hangar. Musicians play clarinets, trombone, keyboard, double bass, and drums. They wear smart casual outfits, with many in shirts and ties. A woman in a bright blue dress plays clarinet. The setting has a lively, retro feel.

A large choir dressed in black performs in an ornate church, standing in front of an elaborate gilded altarpiece with religious artwork and sculptures. Two audience members are visible in the foreground, seated in pews, watching the performance.

A jazz band plays on stage in a small dimly lit venue. The audience can be seen in the foreground. There is a keyboardist, saxophonist, double bassist, and drummer on stage. There are signs on either side of the stage with the band's details on.

Think jazz only lives in smoky city clubs? This International Jazz Day, discover how Making Music members are bringing spontaneous, creative jazz to historic venues and rural communities across the UK.

Read more: www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/jazz-ro...

A photo of a group of people sitting in nature listening to a music group performing. There is a forest in the background and it appears to be sunset. It has a peaceful and tranquil feel to it.

A women playing a flute in nature. She appears to be deeply engrossed in her playing.

A photo in a forest looking up at the trees. The trees surround the the photographer.

A photo of a man standing in nature. He is throwing a euphonium in the air. The atmosphere is joyful.

Composer @hutchingsmusic.bsky.social invites music groups this #EarthDay to look further upstream and go more green. Making Music members could also stand a chance to win our Green Award!

Be inspired: www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/music-r...

#EarthDay

Use our Charity Registration Service https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/about-us/contact-usOur Charity Registration Service is designed to make the process of registering as a charity as simple as possible. Find out how we can help you.

Is your music group planning to become a charity?

Our Charity Registration Service is the simplest way to do it.
✔ We handle the hard work
✔ No upfront cost – pay only once approved
✔ Members only

More info: www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/use...

Running a general meeting Many leisure-time music groups are required to hold a general meeting (AGM, SGM, or EGM) under the terms of their governing document. This resource looks at what these meetings are for and how they…

Is your group planning to hold a general meeting? We have a handy resource to help you plan for a fantastic meeting. Check it out here: www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/run...

Sir Mark Elder: Gen Z is going to find its own path in appreciating classical music Sir Mark Elder performed at the National Centre for Performing Arts during Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI)’s Spring 2025 Season in February

Fascinating read ➡️ Sir Mark Elder: Gen Z is going to find its own path in appreciating classical music

A group of seven people sits and stands around a wooden table in a café, wearing matching bright orange "Make Music Day UK" T-shirts. They smile at the camera, with cups of tea and plates on the table. The café features warm lighting and eclectic decorations, including wall-mounted plates and a vintage police box in the background.

Three women sit at a table in a well-lit room, smiling at the camera. Papers, pens, and mugs are scattered on the table. One woman wears a green t-shirt with a music-themed logo, and another wears a dark blue hoodie with a similar logo.

A choir rehearsal in a community hall, where a diverse group of older and middle-aged singers stands holding sheet music, following along with the conductor. The conductor, a man wearing a white shirt and jeans, leans forward while playing an electric keyboard, passionately leading the group. The singers appear engaged, focused, and expressive. The room has wooden flooring, chairs with red cushions, and natural light coming in through small windows.

A group of people dressed in white t-shirts and casual clothes play various percussion instruments, including drums and tambourines, in an outdoor urban setting with trees and modern buildings in the background. Some participants wear green hoodies with a logo on the back.

Today we launched the findings of our INCLUDE programme. We’ll be sharing key insights on making music groups more inclusive. Explore our new inclusivity in music resource: www.makingmusic.org.uk/resource/inc...

@artscouncilengland.bsky.social

Thank you!