Making Music UK

08/10/2026

The Making Music Awards don't just celebrate this year's winners.

Our shortlist and special commendations feature inspiring leisure-time music groups, volunteers, musical directors and creative projects from across the UK, all recognised for their outstanding achievements and dedication.

Read the full list and discover the remarkable people and organisations that impressed our awards panels this year: https://buff.ly/sIJIY02

06/10/2026

Ayr Choral Union is celebrating 150 years of singing, community and musical ambition.

This year, the choir is bringing its history to life through concerts, community projects and 150 Years of Great Singing, a new exhibition at Rozelle House Museum and Galleries.

Visitors can explore treasured scores, historic photographs and fascinating stories from one of Scotland's longest-running choirs.

Read how Ayr Choral Union has grown, adapted and inspired generations of singers over the past 150 years.

https://buff.ly/eiK6t1W

South Ayrshire Council
Making Music - Scotland

05/10/2026

How can we make sure the buildings that music groups rely on are still there in the future?

We were pleased to submit evidence to Parliament's Protecting Built Heritage inquiry, highlighting the importance of churches, halls, concert venues and other heritage spaces for rehearsals and performances. It's encouraging to see the committee's report recognise the cultural value of these buildings and call for stronger protections.

Find out what the recommendations could mean for music groups and local communities:

A new parliamentary report calls for urgent action to protect music venues and heritage buildings, recognising their vital role in community life. Our deputy CEO Alison Reeves explains what the recommendations could mean for leisure-time music groups.

30/09/2026

Making Music Awards 2026

What a fantastic evening celebrating the people, groups and projects helping leisure-time music flourish across the UK. We've listed the winners below. Congratulations to all!

Group of the Year

Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland for bringing farmers and rural communities together through music, friendship and mutual support, providing a powerful sense of connection and belonging when it is needed most.

Volunteer of the Year
Vicky Bain, Darlington Orchestra, for her years of tireless dedication, not only keeping the organisation running behind the scenes but creating a welcoming and supportive community where members feel they belong.

Audience Development Award (joint winners)
Grayshott Concerts for their ambitious four-step approach to audience development, built over many years and resulting in consistently sold-out concerts.

Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra for their strategic use of audience data and feedback, growing audiences while continuing to offer challenging and engaging programming for members.

Musical Director of the Year
Lynne Anstice Brown, Skye Wind Band, for building a thriving musical community in a rural area, bringing together more than 40 musicians of all ages and inspiring younger players to pursue music.

Commissioning Award
Budleigh Music Festival for Don't Go Extinct by Bob Chilcott. The panel praised the exceptional quality of the music and lyrics, alongside a project that gave children the opportunity to perform a work created especially for them.

Best photo/video
No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra for a joyful photograph that captured the warmth, friendship and community spirit of making music together, with a creative perspective that made viewers feel part of the moment.

Diverse Programming Award
Social London Orchestra for their trailblazing commitment to diverse programming, including a Diwali concert at the V&A featuring music entirely by South Asian composers and a strong focus on audience inclusion.

Green Award
Band Pres Porthaethwy/Menai Bridge Brass Band for their outstanding commitment to sustainability, from energy-efficient improvements and recycled furniture to long-term plans for solar panels.

A huge thank you to our award panel members: Debbie Wiseman (composer and Making Music President), Sally Groves (Vaughn Williams Foundation), Dan Goren (Composers Edition), Sharon Jagdev Powell (Freelance Practitioner and Music Education Programme Manager of Black Lives In Music), Sirikorn Green (Boosey & Hawkes), Margaret Harrison (Making Music Chair of Trustees),Sean Holmes (Rayburn Tours), Jayne Barr (Making Music Trustee), Alex Beach (Making Music Staff), Helen Harrison, Jason Thornton, Rachel Greaves ( Association of British Choral Directors - ABCD).

Thank you to everyone who nominated, applied, voted, judged and joined us this evening. Your passion, creativity and dedication continue to make the UK's leisure-time music community thrive.

30/09/2026

Join us this evening as we celebrate the incredible people, groups and projects that make leisure-time music thrive across the UK at the Making Music Awards 2026.

Hosted by our President, Debbie Wiseman OBE, the online ceremony will reveal the winners across eight award categories, from Volunteer of the Year and Group of the Year to the Green Award and Audience Development Award.

The event is free to attend, so grab a drink, dress up if you'd like, and join us for an evening of celebration and inspiration.

Reserve your place here: https://buff.ly/QfoV7q4

We'd love to celebrate with you this evening.

24/09/2026

Making Music member groups can now enjoy an extraordinary 75% discount on hire materials across the entire Boosey & Hawkes catalogue without the financial risk.

This is your chance to explore adventurous, diverse, and contemporary works, helping you attract new audiences, welcome new members, and build new connections in your community.

Discover music by some of today's most performed composers, including Anna Clyne, John Adams, Karl Jenkins, Gabriela Ortiz, Courtney Bryan and Christopher Tin, alongside 20th century favourites such as Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, Britten, and Bernstein.

See the details: https://buff.ly/dgbQife

Explore bold repertoire. Reach new audiences. Score Something New.

17/09/2026

What happens when a community choir spends two years working with farmers, auctioneers, schoolchildren, and a budding composer to create a brand-new work?

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, our member group, Langcliffe Singers commissioned A Shepherd's Year, an original choral work by composer Vahan Salorian. It's a musical portrait of Yorkshire Dales farming life and was inspired by conversations at Skipton Auction Mart, workshops with around 100 local schoolchildren, and the experiences of hill farming families. The project grew into the choir's most ambitious community collaboration to date.

As Langcliffe Singers Chair, Margaret Coleman, explains:

"We wished to rejoice in our Dales community and the farmers that shape and care for our beautiful surroundings."

The sold-out world premiere brought performers and audience members to tears, attracted coverage from Yorkshire Post and BBC Radio 4's 'On Your Farm,' and has sparked interest in future performances, recordings and film screenings.

Read our interview with Margaret Coleman to discover the story behind this remarkable community project. https://buff.ly/lW1ChwB

10/09/2026

Are you looking for new ways to engage your local community and attract new members?

Why not get involved in Learn to Play 2026, Music for All's annual nationwide celebration of music-making, taking place from 8-11 October.

By offering free taster sessions, open rehearsals or beginner-friendly activities, your group could raise its local profile, reach new audiences and inspire more people to experience the joy of making music. Learn to Play is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what you do and welcome new people.

Find out more and register your activity via Music for All: https://www.musicforall.org.uk/learn-to-play-providers/

04/09/2026

We’re delighted to announce that Ben Saffell has been appointed as Making Music’s new Chief Executive Officer!

Ben has been with Making Music for over 12 years, bringing extensive experience across membership, operations, strategy and advocacy.

”The role of music in society and in our everyday lives has never been more important.”

Ben will lead our work supporting thousands of music groups across the UK and championing the vital role they play in our communities.

Congratulations and welcome Ben!

https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/making-music-appoints-ben-saffell-chief-executive-officer

11/08/2026

Have you nominated someone for a Making Music Award yet? Nominations close on 17 August!

There’s still time to celebrate the people, groups and projects making a difference through leisure-time music.

From an exceptional volunteer or Musical Director, to outstanding community impact, diverse programming, new commissions, audience development and environmental action: there are lots of ways to shine a light on the fantastic work happening across our member groups.

You can nominate yourself, your group or someone else for an award. Find out more about the categories and submit your nomination:

https://buff.ly/ZejNTuu