Learning music

In the spring issue of Highnotes we talk to the Glasgow project helping refugees to make music, Manchester Collective gives tips on how to attract younger audiences to classical concerts, learn how the OHMI Trust is making music more accessible to people with physical disabilities, and more.

To download a PDF copy, click the Highnotes image below and select 'download PDF' in the bottom right-hand corner.

As part of their continued commitment to music educators, Music Teacher magazine publishes the British Music & Drama Education Yearbook. The all-encompassing guide to music and drama education in the UK is packed with thousands of listings for colleges, courses and suppliers, as well as national and local services, including performance venues. An invaluable resource for teachers, parents, students, schools, organisations, performers and anyone with a professional or personal interest in arts education.

Normans Musical Instruments is very proud to be a Premium Corporate Member of Making Music, and is pleased to announce a special offer for members.  

Staffed by musicians, Normans is one of the country’s leading education suppliers of musical instruments and accessories. Normans is delighted to be offering a special discount for Making Music members - use the code MM5 at checkout on normans.co.uk to get 5% off any order you place.  

Being the music director (MD) of a group is a diverse role with lots to think about from conducting, arranging music and developing the group to leading, inspiring and encouraging cohesive working. We have put together a range of guidance, resources and opportunities that MDs might find useful.

For many leisure-time music groups, it’s often the case that someone in the group with no formal training may step in and conduct a rehearsal as a one-off, and then suddenly find themselves permanently on the podium. Orchestras for All’s new online conducting skills development course can help to address this skills gap.

There’s a wonderful variety of musical genres being played and sung in towns, cities and neighbourhoods across the UK, so we decided to create introductory guides to some of them. Pick a genre and dive in to find out more and how you can get involved. Or if you would like to submit an introduction to your favourite kind of music, please email us

What is Indian classical music and how is it different to Bollywood or Indian folk music? What are all the different instruments used and where can you go to try listening to it or playing it yourself? Seetal Kaur of member group, the Sitar Music Society, gives us an overview.

After looking at pipe and tabor, signing choirs, samba, handbell ringing, barbershop and wind bands, t

Steinberg have linked up with GAK Music shop to offer Making Music members preferential discounted prices on their range of products.