Learning music

Highnotes

In the autumn issue of Highnotes we look at making your group more inclusive, chat to our President Debbie Wiseman OBE, discover how church music is thriving with the help of the Royal School of Church Music and more.

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

 

Discount on instruments from Normans

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.  

Resources for Music Directors

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.

Conducting skills course

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, available at a discount to Making Music members, can help to address this skills gap.

Member meetup (Gateshead)

Come along to this informal event and meet other music makers from your local area.

  • Find out what other groups in your area are working on or planning
  • Meet new people who you might work with in the future 
  • Bring along any burning questions about running a group that you can ask others
  • Share your expertise with others
  • Find out about local issues and how others are tackling them – from availability of venues and sheet music to dealing with rising costs and red tape

 

Who should attend this event?

Location

St Mary's Heritage Centre
Oakwellgate Gateshead
NE8 2AU Newcastle upon Tyne
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps

The shape and future of adult music learning

This is a day for exploring adult music learning and for discussion on how to improve access for all.

An event focussed specifically at the barriers and needs of adults of all ages, backgrounds and abilities engaging with music as a leisure activity.

 
Aimed at music educators, suppliers of educational and other music resources, music education organisations, academics and researchers, and all those with an interest in adult learning and issues of access.

Location

London Bridge Hive
1 Melior Place
SE1 3SZ London
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps

Making Music Council (Swansea)

The Making Music Council gives you a chance to have your say on Making Music’s direction of travel. We want to hear your views and ideas about Making Music in general, and provide an opportunity for you to represent the needs of your music group, helping us to ensure we are delivering the right services and opportunities for you. 

Who should attend this event?

Location

Village Hotel
Langdon Road
SA1 8QY Swansea
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps

An introduction to... music genres

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

An introduction to: Indian classical music

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.

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