Making Music

We are passionate about promoting diversity and inclusivity in the leisure-time music sector. Our Adopt a Music Creator project has seen a range music groups from different backgrounds, genres, and sizes. Take a look at some of these photos of groups from previous projects. If you're a music group or the music director of a group and you're interested in participating in this project, see the link below. https://lnkd.in/gJh-FnB Please like and share and help spread the word about this fantastic opportunity to hone your skills in commissioning new music. Group photos include Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra (2020/1) Fulham Brass Band (2020/1) Bury St Edmunds Concert Band (2020/1) Reading Youth Orchestra (2022) NULCO Newcastle under Lyme Community Orchestra (2020/1) Bedfordshire Woodwind Academy Flute Ensemble (2022) Blackheath Choir (2023) The Hepton Singers 2020/1) Monmouth Male Voice Choir (2020/1) Harpenden Barbershop Harmony Club (2024) Orchestra of the City (2023)

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We need your helping getting the government to add 'voice' as an instrument to Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) so that choirs are able to benefit from this scheme. It's the parliamentary summer recess so now is the perfect time to speak to your local MPs about why 'voice' should be an instrument under OTR. More info: https://lnkd.in/dZAs-Aak We've been running some case studies on how orchestras have benefitted from OTR. Scarborough Symphony Orchestra for example has used the money from tax back to: ⭐ Perform in-copyright and contemporary music (such as William Grant Still's symphonies, Panufnik Polonia suite, Tomasi Trumpet concerto etc.) ⭐ Performing works that need (paid) extra players e.g. Shirley Thompson's New Nation Rising symphony, with rapper, chorus, and many additional instruments ⭐ Maintain their current (low) admission costs in a low income North Eastern region Please speak to your local MPs about this. It'll help us spread the word about our campaign to get 'voice' added to OTR. Let us know if you need any help with this and we'll be glad to assist.

Hannah Fredsgaard-Jones participated as a music creator for our Adopt a Music Creator project in 2022. She penned a blog about her experiences working with Voices of Exmoor choir to create a piece of new music titled Over the Moor about Exmoor. Her blog post (see link below) highlights some profound moments from their creative journey. 🎵 If you're interested in joining the Adopt a Music Creator project as music creator, you can find more information here: https://lnkd.in/dm5BJ2u9 🎵 Their fundamental challenge was how to capture and present Exmoor in a single piece of music? How do you express and evoke a place that is both wild and gentle, woodland and rainforest, home to the lark, the deer, and the fox, towering sea cliffs and moorland laced with streams, all watched over by stars in dark skies? When you listen to Over the Moor (see link below), you can hear the liminality, disorientation, and at the same time, the universal familiarity of the natural world, even if you've never been to Exmoor. After premiering Over the Moor, Hannah tells us that an audience member approached her and told her how he closed his eyes as he listened and saw Exmoor in his imagination. What a beautiful affirmation that they did it! 🎵 Read Hannah's blog: https://lnkd.in/dJZmc68p 🎵 Listen to Over the Moor: https://lnkd.in/dBgcfcFk

As part of our Adopt a Music Creator project, candidates write blogs about their experiences. The blogs give us wonderful insight into the process for the music groups and creators. In this blog post from 2023, Michael Withers, Music Director of the Band of the Surrey Yeomanry, writes about his group's work with music creator, Peter Falconer. Michael gives a fantastic account of working with Peter and how they wrestled with the creative process. Have a look at it. What do you think? https://lnkd.in/dZC6CsfJ It was immensely interesting to read how Peter explored the range of instruments in the group and worked with Band of the Surrey Yeomanry to develop music ideas. If you're a music director or are part of a music group and are interested in applying to the project, have a look at the group application link in the comments below. #AdoptAMusicCreator #AdoptAMusicCreator2025 #AdoptAMusicCreatorProject

Calling all music creators. Applications for music creators for our Adopt a Music Creator project 2025 are now open! If you're an emerging music creator looking for an opportunity to gain valuable industry experience and bolster your portfolio of new compositions then this is the perfect project for you! The deadline to apply by is 5pm, Monday 21 October. By participating in this project as a music creator, you will get to: 🎼 Collaborate with the members of a leisure-time music group and write a new music piece, of which you retain all rights 🎼 Work with a musical director 🎼 Learn from an experienced mentor who will support you throughout the creative process 🎼 Build your network and audience 🎼 Attend music creator skills days 🎼 Premiere your piece in a public performance 🎼 Have your piece professionally recorded This is a really exciting chance for you to jumpstart your career in composition so don't delay, apply today! https://lnkd.in/dm5BJ2u9

The government's Orchestra Tax Relief scheme gives our member groups additional income each year in tax back. We want the government to add 'voice' as an additional instrument so that choirs can also benefit from Orchestra Tax Relief. They're currently unable to do so. We've done some case studies with our member groups that we'll share with you over the coming weeks. The first one was with Norfolk Symphony Orchestra. Orchestra Tax Relief allows them to develop wider and more ambitious programmes with higher costs and provide free tickets to under 18s. They also use the tax that they get back to keep their membership fees low and maintain their instruments. We'd love for you to help support our campaign by writing to your local MP while Parliament is on their summer recess. If you need some ideas for how you can support us, check out our fabulous Tax relief for choirs webpage: https://lnkd.in/dZAs-Aak Photo credit: Elmbridge Ladies Choir (Making Music member group) #OrchestraTaxRelief #LeisureTimeMusic #UKChoirs #BritishChoirs The Labour Party

Attention Making Music members: Just a quick reminder that applications for our Adopt a Music Creator project for 2025 are now open. Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to develop your skills in commissioning new music! https://lnkd.in/gJh-FnB Let us know in the comments below if your group has applied or is planning to apply! By participating, you will: 🎵 Create and record a unique composition and enjoy the excitement of premiering your new work. 🎵 Collaborate with a professional music creator and establish a valuable working relationship. 🎵 Learn from an experienced mentor and gain valuable insights and guidance. 🎵 Receive full support from experts and the Making Music team. 🎵 Boost your group’s visibility and gain exposure and recognition. If this sounds like the opportunity you and your group have been looking for, don’t hesitate — apply now! We welcome vocal and instrumental groups of all shapes, sizes, and genres to apply, especially those with little or no commissioning experience. Experienced groups are also encouraged to apply.

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'Tis the season to write your MP! August is summer recess for parliamentarians who will return to their constituencies to engage voters. This is your chance to get their attention and tell them what matters to you! Start off by welcoming them and perhaps inviting them to your next concert. Once you've built that rapport with them, let them know what you need to flourish, whether that’s a community space, a music library, or local public transport. You could also ask them to make 'voice' an eligible instrument under the Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR). The OTR has benefitted our instrumental members to the tune of over £1 million since its introduction in 2017. We're campaigning hard to get the government to make 'voice' eligible for OTR and would greatly appreciate your support! Here's some more information about our campaign: https://lnkd.in/dpR2_f2A