News

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. 

Music groups are places where people across a community meet and connect – sometimes despite their differences. The first report for the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion (the Commission) proves that these groups have a role in preventing and healing division, but that more needs to be done to make space for music.

There is some very strong language in the report produced for the Commission:  

Independent music publishing house Stainer & Bell have secured worldwide distrubtion of Elgar Works titles as of June 2025.

Dedicated to the advancement of the study and accessibility of the music and legacy of Sir Edward Elgar, one of Britain’s most celebrated composers, the Elgar Works charity publishes meticulously researched editions of Elgar’s music, prepared by leading scholars and editors, providing access to the most accurate and insightful interpretations of his work.

Holly Radford-James, Chief Executive Officer of Soundabout, talks to us about their Emerging Leaders project and how your music group can get involved.

Soundabout, the UK’s Learning Disability Music Charity, is inviting Making Music groups to be part of an exciting virtual collaboration and premiere of an original composition by Learning Disabled musicians from Soundabout’s Emerging Leaders project.