An energising effect
Inviting Sir Harrison Birtwistle as composer in residence to a new music festival had the desired effect on the student performers…
Posts
Property deal to mark a new era for Aldeburgh
Owning the freehold of its site will enable Aldeburgh Music to fulfil Benjamin Britten’s vision for a creative campus while…
Government’s ‘orchestra’ definition too narrow, warns ISM
The benefits of a new tax relief will be restricted to larger orchestras and will exclude instrument-specific ensembles under curr…
No special treatment for school music
Music will not be prioritised under new-style Ofsted inspections, but school leaders will soon be judged on the breadth and balanc…
My Gurus
As he prepares to open a new arts and learning centre, Leon Patel reflects on those that have helped and inspired him since the mo…
Research backs up the value of music-making to young people
A round-up of “compelling evidence” for the benefits of music education has been published with the aim of providing t…
Concerts in our living rooms
New music can be attractive to anyone but it all depends on how we hear about it and then where we first hear it, believes Tania H…
Building a business in the black arts
In a week when arts organisations are urged to make a greater commitment to diversity, Ammo Talwar outlines his business model bas…
Save our music libraries
Local authority cuts mean that some libraries are no longer lending music scores to amateur groups. Barbara Eifler explains why sh…
Listen, play and learn
A recent conference explored the value of music-making with early years and key stage 1 children. Fraser Wilson and Emily Moss des…
Job Ladder
Phil Castang takes us through the steps of his career in the music world, which landed him at the helm of Bristol Plays Music.
Good parenting from prison
Nicky Goulder tells how a project combining literacy, music and illustration has brought offenders closer to their young children.
New demographic directions
How can the arts respond to the UK’s changing demographic? Tony Haynes calls for greater recognition for the work created fo…
Music education is thriving among the better off
The cost of tuition is still a major barrier to children from lower socio-economic groups learning to play an instrument, report c…
Syllabus changes will “have a detrimental effect on musicianship”
Proposals for a narrower curriculum with less emphasis on performing and composing will pose a threat to creativity in music, say…
Equity campaigns for more performances in pubs
Actors’ union Equity has launched a campaign to encourage pubs and similar venues to put on more live entertainment, and per…
Small children rocking out!
When Terry O’Donovan presented his latest musical show as a work in progress to five year olds they looked bored. Now it&rsq…
Job Ladder
As he prepares to leave Sage Gateshead after 15 years at the helm, Anthony Sargent reflects on his career and the people he’…
Mental health problems rife among professional musicians
A new report coincides with a Channel 4 documentary, shining a spotlight on the challenges faced by musicians.
Concerns over fees for composers
Commissions fail to provide a living for most composers, who earn on average less than £4k a year for this work.
£18m boost for music education
Government announces extra funds and ends fears that local authorities will be asked to terminate music services.
My Gurus
Bec Fearon, Head of Engagement at the Bluecoat, Liverpool’s centre for the contemporary arts, reveals the people who have in…
Leading the singing
The Sing with Us network of choirs brings together cancer patients and their families from across Wales. Rosie Dow describes…
Shouting in the street
A huge vocal work is premiered this weekend in Birmingham, followed by performances in Berlin and London. Stephen Newbould describ…
