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Remembering Sebastian Farrall, beloved music leader
Post date: Thursday, 22 May 2025 - 5:26pm

Sebastian Farrall, a treasured figure in Coventry and Warwickshire's music scene, has died at the age of 32 following a tragic cycling accident on his birthday, 30 March 2025.

Seb, who lived in Coventry with his wife Fran and their 21-month-old daughter Maisy, was a dynamic and much-loved conductor, composer, arranger, and musical director. A fierce advocate for community music and inclusion, his loss is being felt deeply by his family, friends and the countless musicians and singers whose lives he touched.

UK Supreme Court Ruling on terms used in the Equality Act 2010; what are the possible implications for leisure time music groups?
Post date: Thursday, 22 May 2025 - 1:55pm

Making Music has been considering the implications for members of a UK Supreme Court ruling on the definition of 'sex'.  

Adopt a Music Creator blog: Our year of collaboration
Post date: Wednesday, 14 May 2025 - 3:20pm

Music creator Emily Hazrati reflects on her collaboration with Uckfield Concert Brass as part of Adopt a Music Creator 2024. 

It is very surreal to be writing this blog in the aftermath of my year-long collaboration with Uckfield Concert Brass. The months have flown by since our first meeting in January, and I am astonished by what we have achieved and created together in that time.

Axminster and District Choral Society: 40 years on the joy of singing
Post date: Wednesday, 14 May 2025 - 12:02pm

Elizabeth Twining, member of Axminster and District Choral Society, tells us how their group is celebrating 40 years of singing.

In February 1985, an enthusiastic group organised a ,Come and Sing Messiah, in the recently-reordered Minster Church. The event was a great success, and shortly afterwards Axminster and District Choral Society was established.  

Government consultation on financial thresholds for charities in England and Wales
Post date: Thursday, 8 May 2025 - 4:15pm

The financial thresholds for charities in England and Wales are under review — share your insights to ensure the sector's voice is heard.

The UK Government is currently reviewing the financial thresholds that determine the reporting and accounting requirements for charities in England and Wales. There are 21 thresholds in total, the ones most relevant to members relate to: 

Wycombe Sinfonia celebrate 40 years with a live concert broadcast
Post date: Thursday, 1 May 2025 - 8:42am

The Wycombe Sinfonia Orchestra are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year with a series of live concerts performed at High Wycombe Parish Church. 

Celebrate Pride with music
Post date: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 - 2:10pm

Ahead of Pride Month in June, we are showcasing and celebrating a few of our wonderful LGBTQ+ member groups.

Pride Month, which takes place in June in the UK, is about acceptance, equality and celebrating the work and lives of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the diversity of the human experience when it comes to sexuality, gender identity and gender expression. And what better way to celebrate this than to come together and make music as a community?

Jazz roots and new shoots: stories from Making Music's member groups
Post date: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 - 10:16am

Making Music's Marketing Manager and jazz guitarist, Barry Holloway, writes about how jazz is blossoming in communities across the UK, far from its urban roots. Meet the Making Music member groups bringing this rich, expressive genre to new audiences.

From rural Aberdeenshire to suburban St Albans and the leafy lanes of Leicestershire, jazz is thriving in unexpected places. Through a combination of passion, persistence, and community spirit, musicians and organisers are expanding access to this vibrant art form far beyond traditional urban strongholds.

Bournemouth Symphony Chorus Japan 2025
Post date: Thursday, 24 April 2025 - 6:07pm

Bournemouth Symphony Chorus brings Britten’s War Requiem to Hiroshima for a landmark 2025 performance. 

What happens when an innovative chorus, a chorus director with a dream and a generous sponsor get together?

Music traditions to be included in an inventory of UK living heritage
Post date: Thursday, 24 April 2025 - 5:17pm

The government intends to invite communities later this year to include valued traditions in the UK living heritage listing – Making Music encourages members to put their own musical traditions forward. 

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