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Belfast Philharmonic Society: 150 Years of harmony, heritage and hope
Post date: Wednesday, 8 October 2025 - 2:15pm

As part of Making Music’s 90th anniversary celebrations, we’re speaking to some of our long-standing member groups about their history, their impact, and their hopes for the future.  

Founded in 1874, the Belfast Philharmonic Society has sung through history; wars, pandemics, and political upheaval, with an unbroken run of performances that now spans more than 150 years. Chair Katherine Hanratty and Chorus Director James Grossmith reflect on a legacy built on musical excellence, community spirit and a deep love of singing. 

Music education – Building skills for professional life
Post date: Thursday, 25 September 2025 - 2:39pm

The results from our August 2025 survey of leisure-time musicians show that the transferable skills they learned from studying music at school have been well used in their professional life as well as giving them access to lifelong involvement in music-making.  

Winners of the 2025 Making Music Awards announced
Post date: Thursday, 25 September 2025 - 1:02pm

Making Music is proud to announce announce the winners of the 2025 Making Music Awards.

The Making Music annual awards ceremony celebrates the achievements of the leisure-time music community in the UK. It is an opportunity to recognise the creativity, dedication, and achievements of individuals and groups within this vibrant community who often go unrecognised. The winners were announced at an online ceremony on Wednesday 24 September.

Debbie Wiseman OBE, said: 

An appreciation of The Duchess of Kent
Post date: Tuesday, 23 September 2025 - 1:37pm

An appreciation of HRH The Duchess of Kent,  by former Making Music Chief Executive Russell Jones.

It seems hard to believe now, but in the late 1980s the standing of leisure-time music-making in the UK was not as highly regarded as it should have been. At best it was thought of as 'second rate' — despite the enormous contribution singers, instrumentalists and music club administrators offered their communities.

William Byrd Singers launch Bach oratorio crowdfunder
Post date: Tuesday, 23 September 2025 - 10:54am

Leslie Robinson, Publicity Officer for the William Bryd Singers, talks to us about the group's crowdfunding campaign to bring Bach back to the Stoller Hall for Christmas.

Many of you reading this may well have been at the William Byrd's last concert in the Stoller Hall in April 2022, when we performed the wonderful 'St Matthew Passion' to a packed hall. What an undertaking that was with the specialist 18th Century Sinfonia Orchestra, professional soloists, the Byrds in superb voice and a children's choir,  singing their hearts out.

Vote for the President's Award 2025
Post date: Monday, 15 September 2025 - 4:25pm

Public voting for the Making Music President's Award is now open - help us celebrate the amazing volunteers of Making Music member groups.

The President's Award, an integral part of the Making Music awards, recognises volunteers who have given exceptional service to any Making Music member group. This could be for a short-term exceptional effort, or a longer-term achievement, and it could recognise an individual or a group of volunteers (e.g. a committee).

The Making Music Awards 2025 shortlist announced
Post date: Monday, 15 September 2025 - 4:00pm

We are thrilled to announce the shortlisted nominees for the 2025 Making Music Awards, followed by a celebratory evening on Wednesday 24 September where we announce the winners and honour the creativity and efforts of the leisure-time music community.

The awards celebrate Making Music's nearly 4,000 member groups and their activity, and the often unrecognised talent which helps the sector to flourish across the UK.

In tribute: The Duchess of Kent (1933–2025)
Post date: Wednesday, 10 September 2025 - 10:00am

Making Music is deeply saddened to learn of the death of our Patron for over thirty years, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family. 

A lifelong advocate for music and music education, Her Royal was a passionate supporter of leisure-time music-making across the UK. Her patronage of Making Music, the UK’s membership organisation for leisure-time music groups, reflected her belief in the power of music to bring people together, enrich lives and foster community. 

East Lancashire Concert Band: A 19th-century band for the 21st century
Post date: Monday, 8 September 2025 - 10:18am

As part of Making Music's 90th anniversary celebrations, we're speaking to member groups across the UK about their stories, their communities and the joy of making music together. 

In the heart of Accrington, a town steeped in industrial heritage and wartime sacrifice, the East Lancashire Concert Band has been making music, and history, for over 180 years. Since 1842, the band has played a central role in the musical, military and civic life of the region. 

Bradford Accordion Band: changing perceptions, one squeeze at a time
Post date: Thursday, 4 September 2025 - 11:42am

As part of Making Music's 90th anniversary celebrations, we're speaking to member groups across the UK about their stories, their communities and the joy of making music together. 

One such group is the Bradford Accordion Band, a vibrant, genre-defying ensemble that's been surprising audiences and challenging expectations for nearly three decades. We spoke to founder and musical director Anita Bašić about the band's origins and its recent appearance at Bradford Progress. 

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