Speedmatching - get support from media professionals

On 14th April Newcastle Volunteer Centre will be running a 'speedmatching' event at the ITV news centre in Gateshead, where members of the news team will be available to help you develop your communication strategies and help you with any other media needs.

The event will run from 6.30-9pm and drinks and snacks will be provided.

If you are interested in attending, please send details about your charity, a paragraph about your current media needs, and a current telephone number to mediamatching@mediatrust.org.

You can find out more about Speedmatching at www.mediatrust.org/media-matching/speedmatching

There are only ten places for this event and they will fill quickly!

Making Music North East ebulletin

The March issue of our North East ebulletin is out now!

This month's issue contains details of a chance for singers to become a guineapig choir for trainee conductors, surgeries for music groups in the Tees Valley, the latest consultation from Arts Council North East, details of grant-giving organisations in the North East and more.

To download the March issue click here (downloads as PDF file). The ebulletin is sent out to over 400 musicians and music-lovers in the North East every six weeks. If you would like to subscribe to the ebulletin contact kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Singers needed to form guinea pig choir

We're looking for experienced singers who read music to join our 'guinea pig' choir at our Lead the Choir conductor training session on Saturday 17 April at Royal Grammar School, Jesmond. You'll work with the trainee conductors as they explore conducting techniques and rehearsal practices, under the expert guidance of Keith Orrell and Peter Broadbent.

The music to be covered includes Derufle's Requiem and a wide range of shorter pieces. Singers will be provided with tea and coffee, and sandwiches at lunchtime. Ideally singers would take part for the whole day but we can also accommodate some who can only attend for half the day (morning: 10am - 1pm, afternoon 1.45 - 4.45pm).

For more information or to register your interest contact Howard Layfield, howard.layfield@talktalk.net, 01661 871105.

Over £200,000 awarded to choirs

The BBC Performing Arts Fund, in association with Making Music, has awarded over £200,000 to choirs and singing groups from around the UK through its Choral Ambition scheme.

From the 350 applications that were received, 98 choirs - with a total of almost 6,000 choir members between them - will receive funding. This funding will go towards 14 commissions of new music and 84 projects including training for choirs and choir leaders, workshops open to the public to attract new members, support to tackle ambitious new repertoires and support to put on large scale events.

Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of Making Music said: "Making Music was delighted to be able to help the BBC Performing Arts Fund with Choral Ambition and of course it is marvellous that the programme has been so brilliantly successful. Many congratulations to the PAF and to the winners."

Training courses at Baltic

Artsplan (the in-house professional development department of ENYAN) is delighted to have an exciting programme of youth arts training courses taking place this year in partnership with the Baltic in Gateshead.

Upcoming courses include:
- Using the Arts with Juvenile and Young Offenders - 17th March 2010, 10am - 4.15pm
- Creative Facilitation - 6th May 2010, 10am - 4.15pm
- Using the Arts to Develop Aspiration, Leadership and Potential - 24th June 2010, 10am - 4.15pm

For more information on the course or to book a place, please contact The Artsplan Team, on artsplan@artswork.org.uk or call 02380 682 535.

Applications sought for Newcastle Brown Ale Fund

Newcastle Brown Ale Fund is looking for applications from organisations working across the West End of Newcastle, Byker or Longbenton who can show how they are working with young people aged 18-25 to be more healthy, improve their well being and increase their confidence and self esteem, particularly through education, training or physical activity.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for direct project costs, activities and equipment. For more information click here.

Making Music North East ebulletin

The January issue of our North East ebulletin is out now!

Packed with information on funding, opportunities, workshops and more.

To download the January issue click here (downloads as PDF file). If you would like to subscribe to the ebulletin contact kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Get out of the shower and get on stage!

Learn to sing for free in 2010. Unlock your inner diva, banish the January Blues, get fit and de-stress through the power of your voice at Learn to Sing, a unique series of singing coaching sessions run by Making Music and Choir of the Year.

Each course lasts for six weeks and participants will be taught the basics of singing, including how to look after the voice and sing in harmony through to performance skills, rhythm and voice development across a range of different styles of music from rock and pop through to the classics.

In the North East the Learn to Sing course will take place in Newcastle with Tynemouth Choral Society on Monday evenings from 15 February - 22 March. For more information click here.

For information on other courses visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/learntosing.

Learn to Sing is open to anyone of any ability, from total novice to shower soprano and karaoke enthusiast.

Musical Inspirations special needs conference

Musical Inspirations is a 2 day conference for those who work with children and young people with Special Educational Needs.

Organised by MusicLeader it will be held at The Sage Gateshead/Newcastle University on Tuesday 19th and Saturday 23rd January.

Sessions will include workshops, discussion groups, ideas for the classroom and discussion of issues.

For more information, including prices and how to book, download the full information here or contact north-east@musicleader.net, 0191 443 4592. A 25% discount is now being offered.

Youth arts training at the Baltic

Artsplan has announced its 2010 course programme for the Baltic, Gateshead.

- Creative Facilitation
6th May 2010, 10 am - 4.15 pm

- Using the Arts to Develop Aspiration, Leadership and Potential
24th June 2010, 10 am- 4.15 pm

- Using the Arts with Young People at Risk
23rd September 2010, 10 am- 4.15 pm

- Behaviour Management and Youth Arts
11th November 2010, 10 am- 4.15 pm

Further information on all of these courses can be found on the Artsplan website: www.artswork.org.uk/artsplan/training.

Making Music North East ebulletin

The December issue of the ebulletin is now out!

The bulletin contains news, opportunities, funding information, events and more for the North East of England.

This month:
- The chance to go to professional concerts for free
- Grants for music groups
- Back the Bid - City of Culture in Durham
- Traditional music classes
- A Wordsworth premiere
- A Big Busk festival of music
- Get constituted!

To download the bulletin click here (downloads as a PDF).

To sign up to receive future bulletins email kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

New folk music sessions for 2010

For their spring season Phoenix Folk will be offering the following classes on Wednesday evenings from 20th Jan - 20th March 2010 at Ouseburn Farm, Byker.

19.00 - 20.10
Guitar (led by Maurice Condie)
Fiddles (led by Sophy Ball)
Mixed Squeezeboxes (led by David Oliver)

20.20 - 21.30
Fretted instruments with song (led by Maurice Condie)
Enjoying a session (led by David Oliver)
Advanced band (for more experienced players, led by Sophy Ball)
Ukeleles (led by George Welch)

£65 for the 10 week term. Concessions and multiple booking discounts available. All classes suitable for all levels (except absolute beginners) unless otherwise specified.

We are also offering absolute beginners piano-accordian and melodeon.

For more information and to enrol go to www.phoenixfolk.co.uk.

Two opportunities to Sing Hallelujah!

A free Sing Hallelujah workshop will take place with Tynemouth Choral Society, 2 - 5 pm on Saturday 28 November. The workshop will be led by Andrew Padmore and is free to all participants. For more information click here.

Also taking place as part of Sing Hallelujah is Come and Sing Hallelujah, which will take place on Sunday 6 December in Hall One of The Sage Gateshead with Northern Sinfonia. The event will take place from 10.30 am - 4.30 pm with a free sharing parformance with Northern Sinfonia in Hall one at 5.30 pm. Cost £5. For more information click here.

Come and Sing Hallelujah is for absolutely anyone! Participants don't need any experience of singing or of singing as part of a choir.

Both events have been programmed in line with the BBC's Sing Hallelujah Project, which is a nationwide project encouraging people to find their voice and to discover the joy of singing through Handel's famous 'Hallelujah Chorus'.

Youth Music Funding Information Events

Two information events about Youth Music's Open Programme Fund are taking place in the North East.

Youth Music's Open Programme provides grants of between £5,000 and £30,000. It aims to increase the number of children and young people with access to high quality, sustainable music making activities across England.

For more information on the Open Programme, including eligibility and priorities, visit www.youthmusic.org.uk/looking_for_music_funding/Open_programme.html.

The events will take place at:
Middlesbrough Town Hall, Tues 10 Nov
Generator, Newcastle Arts Centre (Westgate Road, Newcastle), Wed 11 Nov

Both events will start at 11.00 am with a general overview of the Fund. Potential applicants can arrange to then have an informal discussion with Youth Music's Regional Officer from 12.00 onwards.

If you would like to attend, please contact gwyneth.lamb@youthmusic.org.uk, 07738 990350.

Early Warning for a choral conducting event

Do you conduct, teach or lead singing in any kind of choral group?
Share your experiences and problems; explore and develop skills.
Look out for our Conducting Workshop in 2010.

Making Music North East and ABCD (north) are collaborating to mount this event, in three parts:
- Friday 13 March, 4 - 7pm. Model rehearsal of Northern Sinfonia Chorus with Simon Halsey. Observation, questions and discussion.
- Saturday 17 April. One-day Workshop with Peter Broadbent and Keith Orrell.
- Saturday 24th April, 7.30pm. Concert by Northern Sinfonia with Sinfonia Chorus. See the final results of the rehearsal you observed in March.

For experienced and less experienced conductors in two parallel groups. Opportunities for hands-on practice.

Gateshead (probable venue Gateshead Old Town Hall/The Sage Gateshead)

Put this in your diary and tell others about it.

Details from Kirsty McDowell, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308, Enid Mitchell, em@meikleriggs.org.uk or Howard Layfield howard.layfield@talktalk.net from December 2009.

Sponsorship Seminar

Durham Community Centre, Wednesday 23 September and 7 October, 7pm - 9.15pm
£20 + VAT (£18 + VAT for Making Music members)

This seminar is designed to raise understanding of arts sponsorship and give practical guidance to music groups, arts practitioners and museums on how to go about obtaining and developing it.

The course is for those who have no sponsorship experience as well as those who wish to refresh themselves of the fundamental principles and practices. Ideally you should be able to attend both sessions.

The seminar will include:
· An introduction to arts sponsorship, including understanding the sponsorship market, and why businesses sponsor the arts.
· A Five Point Plan for obtaining and developing sponsorship.

To book a place or for more information contact Kathryn@communityfoundation.org.uk, 0191 222 0945.

Presented by Making Music and the Sponsors' Club for Arts and Business.

Choral Ambition

New fund for choirs

Choral Ambition is a brand new scheme run by the BBC Performing Arts Fund in association with Making Music to provide funding for choirs across the UK. The scheme will open for applications on 7 September 2009 and close on 30 October 2009.

The fund is for adult or youth choirs of any genre. The maximum grant is £5,000, the minimum is £500. The grant can be used for commissioning new music, training and development, masterclasses, workshops and projects to attract new members

To find out more visit the Choral Ambition website for full details.

North East ebulletin

The Making Music North East ebulletin contains news, opportunities, funding information, events and more.

This month:
A new service for concert fixers
The premiere of a new vocal work in Durham
Ave Verum Corpus free to download
Concert venues opening up in Gateshead
Funding for young, old, grassroots activities and Northumberland groups
An opportunity to learn to beatbox
Community skills sharing with Freeconomy
A charity accounting resource online
and your chance to create your very own Doctor Who theme music

To download the bulletin click here (downloads as a PDF).

To sign up to receive future bulletins email kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

A taste of opera

Wednesday 26, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August 2009
10am - 4pm

PER DAY ADULT £15; CONC AND CHILD £7
ALL 3 DAYS ADULT £35; CONC AND CHILD £17
CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

Vocal technique - the libretto or storyline - directing - staging operas.

Local Opera singers Emily Smith and Jonathan Ainscough will work with participants for three consecutive days on three operas, or you can attend just one.

There will be something for singers of all levels of experience.

Wednesday - Carmen (Bizet)
Thursday - The Magic Flute (Mozart)
Friday - The Barber of Seville (Rossini)

Presented by Middlesbrough Town Hall and Platform.

Download more information here (pdf format).

Youth arts training courses in Gateshead

Artsplan is running 2 youth arts training courses this autumn in NewcastleGateshead.

Creative Consultation with Young People
15th October 2009, 10 am - 4.15 pm, Baltic

This one-day creative workshop is suitable for anyone who is looking to consult with young people through engagement in creative participatory activities.

Unleash your partnership potential
5th November 2009, 10 am- 4.15 pm, Baltic

This one day workshop shares practical techniques and approaches to working in partnerships with other organisations and individuals in order to achieve a successful youth arts project or event.

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance and a wealth of practical resources.

Cost: £110 - £110, with limited bursaries available. ENYAN members can receive a 5% discount.

For more information or to book contact artsplanbookings@artswork.org.uk, 02380 682535, www.enyan.co.uk.

Making Music ebulletin

A chance to sing on Classic FM, tips for promoters, Tees Valley grants, learning folk music, a guide to singing and beatbox cookery all feature in this month's North East ebulletin.

To download the bulletin click here.

To sign up to receive future bulletins email kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Sponsorship Seminars in Saltburn and Blyth

The Sponsors' Club for Arts and Business has confirmed two Sponsorship Seminars.

Saltburn Community Arts Centre, 21 July 2009
Headway Theatre in Blyth*, 28 July 2009.

The seminars will include a Five Point Plan for obtaining and developing sponsorship, assessing your organisation and its needs, developing packages for sponsorship, researching potential sponsors, writing proposals and making a successful approach, as well as developing a good working relationship.

The course runs from 9.30 am - 1.00 pm and is followed by lunch. The afternoon is then available for optional one to one sessions until 4pm to discuss your specific needs.

Cost: £20.00 plus VAT per person. Booking deadline: 7 July.

For any more information or to sign up contact Ruth Raynor or Adam Lopardo or telephone 0191 2220945

* Please note that unfortunately this is not an accesible venue, however if you are interested please get in touch as they hope to deliver another seminar in Northumberland soon.

PR and marketing through London 2012

You don't have to wait until 2012 to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. London 2012 are already encouraging and inspiring people to open up and join in, through the Open Weekend - a platform for culture, sport, and sustainability initiatives across the whole of the UK.

Open Weekend
24th - 26th July 2009

Your organisation can use the Open Weekend to:
- Create and / or promote events taking place over 24th - 26th July
- Launch up-and-coming activities in the North East
- Attract new audiences and visitors

To find out more or to register your event go to www.london2012.com/openweekend.

Development Grants for Tees Valley Music Organisations

Platform have launched a new round of development grants for music groups and organisations in the Tees Valley. The deadline for applications is Monday 29th June and the panel will meet to make a decision on Monday 13th July.

For more information download the application form and guidelines.

Platform will also be launching another Bursary Grants scheme over the summer of 2009, and will forward information over the coming months.

Training in conducting young people

Sing Up! are offering a free training session on Tuesday 2nd June with Mark Anyan. It will be held at Jarrow community centre from 1.30pm-4.30pm.

Ideas for working with young choirs, Conducting techniques, Ways to keep young people motivated and interested, Great repertoire for young singers in KS2/3.

For more information and to book your place contact Pamela McGahon, pamela.mcgahon@singup.org by 22nd May.

Big Spring Sing - places still available

If you've been thinking about coming to the Big Spring Sing on 9 May in Darlington it's not too late to register!

To give you more time, we've extended the booking deadline for this great day.

Over 60 singers are already signed up, but we still have places for all voices, although as always we're especially keen to hear from any tenors and basses!

More information and the booking form are available as a PDF at http://makingmusic-northeast.co.uk/events0809/Booking%20form.pdf or by contacting Kirsty, 07855 642308, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

And why not invite your friends to come and join us too? The more the merrier!

The Big Spring Sing is presented by Making Music and ABCD, with generous support from Platform.

Making Music North East e-bulletin

The latest edition of Making Music North East's e-bulletin is out now.

The e-bulletin contains news, opportunities, funding information and more for voluntary and amateur music groups around the North East.

This month's bulletin includes:
- Music & health
- New info sheets: risk assessment and health and safety
- Funding news
- MD sought in Alnwick
- Build a website for free
- Photo gallery
- Free PR guides
- Conference and ceilidhs

To view the April 2009 edition of the e-bulletin click here.

The e-bulletin is sent out every 6 weeks to over 200 individuals and music groups all around the North East. If you are a member of an amateur music group or promoting society, or have an interest in voluntary music making, you can subscribe to the e-bulletin by emailing kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Marketing training and child protection training at Baltic

Artsplan (the in-house professional development department of ENYAN) has programmed two youth arts courses in the North East.

Creating Safety: Child protection and youth arts
20th May 2009, 10 am - 4.15 pm

Marketing and Celebrating Youth Arts
18th June 2009, 10 am - 4.15 pm
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead

Prices normally range from £150 to £110, but limited bursaries are available. ENYAN members are entitled to a 5% discount.

For more information or to book a place, contact the Artsplan Team via: artsplanbookings@artswork.org.uk or call 02380 682535. To subscribe to ENYAN visit www.enyan.co.uk.

Making Music North East e-bulletin

Making Music North East's e-bulletin contains news, opportunities, funding advice and more.

To view the March 2009 edition of the e-bulletin click here.

If you are a member of an amateur music group or promoting society, or have an interest in voluntary music making you can subscribe to the e-bulletin by emailing kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Big Spring Sing - last chance for early-bird discount

All choral singers are invited to Come and Sing with Making Music, ABCD and Platform!

Book before 7 March to take advantage of our early-bird rate:
£12 (members of Making Music, ABCD or Platform)
£15 (non-members)
£7 (students/unwaged)

After 7 March prices go up to £14, £17 and £9 respectively.

Saturday 9 May 2009, The Education Village, Salters Lane South, Darlington.
10 am - 5 pm.

For more information and a booking form click here or contact Kirsty, 07855 642308, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Big Spring Sing - bookings now open

Bookings are now being taken for Making Music, ABCD and Platform's Big Spring Sing event in Darlington on Saturday 9 May. This one-day event will bring together amateur singers to sing new repertoire, improve vocal technique and have fun!

The day will be led by Paul Spicer and James Davey. We will be looking at a wide range of music, including Vaughan Williams Toward the Unknown Region.

Prices range from £14 to £22 with concessions available. Book before 7 March for an early-bird discount.

For more information and to book click here.

Conducting Ensembles event in Thirsk

Part of MusicLeader's Rural Practitoners' Forum. Forum events are a way for those who live and work in the more rural areas of North Yorkshire to meet and learn together.

Tuesday 3rd February 2009, 5 - 7pm
Old Courthouse, Thirsk
CONDUCTING ENSEMBLES
How to deliver the sound you need!
Karen Roberts

This session explores conducting techniques for those who work with young people, and how to enable children to conduct.

Cost £10 (£20 for non-MusicLeader members). For more information or to book, contact yorkshire@musicleader.net or call 01422 321823.

Small Grants for the Arts Available in Wansbeck

Arts for All is a small grants for the arts scheme operated by Wansbeck District Council which supports community based arts projects taking place in Wansbeck, Northumberland.

The new guidelines for Arts for All are now available. Please click on the link below to download the guidelines and application form.

www.wansbeck.gov.uk/index.cfm?page=single.cfm§ionid=884

Alternatively you can contact Katherine Lawson (01670 843401) or Dean Reay (01670 843401) to request a hard copy of the form.

Youth Arts Starter Kit from Artsplan

Launched by Artsplan last year, the Youth Arts Starter Kit has proven so successful that Artsplan is pleased to continue the offer this year.

The kit is designed for anyone who is starting to work with young people in the arts and would like a range of useful tools to support them in their work.

The kit has been produced by Artswork, the national youth arts development agency, as part of their Artsplan department and is currently available from Artsplan at a reduced price of £30 (incl. P&P).

For further details, or if you would like to purchase a Youth Arts Starter Kit please contact Jay Barron, Artsplan Development Manager on t: 023 8063 0960 e: artsplan@artswork.org.uk.

Full ENYAN members will receive an additional 5% discount off the total price of all Artsplan training and publications. For more information on membership visit www.enyan.co.uk.

Making Music Philip & Dorothy Green Award 2009: Applications Now Open

Applications are invited for the Philip & Dorothy Green Award for Young Concert Artists. Promising young musicians between the ages of 21 and 27 (for instrumentalists, or 31 for singers) who have left full-time education and are now embarking on their professional career are invited to apply for the award.

The prize comes in the form of professional engagements with Making Music's concert promoters, orchestras and choirs around the country.

Visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/ayca for more information and to download an application form. Applications should be received by 9 January 2009.

Advice surgeries for music groups

Making Music is offering free advice 'surgeries' for amateur and voluntary music groups in the North East. From choirs to orchestras, steel pan bands to promoting societies, this is a chance for groups to come and discuss their problems and concerns on a one-to-one basis.

For more information click here.

Clustering close in Alnwick

Building on the success of cluster groups in Newcastle and Durham, Making Music is now setting up a cluster of music groups in Alnwick and the surrounding area, together with the Bailiffgate Singers.

The group will decide its aims together but these might include:

• pooling publicity ideas and establishing where opportunities exist to work together to attract a wider audience
• anti-clash diary to avoid clashes of concert dates or repertoire
• collective bookings of soloists to reduce fees

An initial meeting will be held in Alnwick on an evening/weekend in either week commencing 18th August or week commencing 15th September to suit all interested parties. At that meeting groups will discuss what the purpose of the cluster should be, how often it will meet and so on.

At this stage we would encourage society chairs plus one other (possibly a committee member responsible for publicity, venues or dates) to attend, although you are welcome to bring more people if you wish.

If you are interested in coming along to the first cluster meeting or would like more information please get in touch (kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308) or visit www.makingmusic-northeast.co.uk/cluster.

New child protection laws for 2009

The creation of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is part of the biggest overhaul of vetting and barring arrangements ever undertaken in this country. It will cover 11.3 million people wishing to seek work or volunteer with children or vulnerable adults.

From 12 Oct 2009, anyone employed or volunteering to work with children or vulnerable people must apply to be registered with the ISA, in addition to the existing CRB checks. After this date it will be a criminal offence to employ anyone to work with children or vulnerable adults who is not registered. Applicants (apart from volunteers) must pay a one-off fee of £64 to register (£28 for registration with ISA and £36 for an enhanced CRB check).

Introduction to Sponsorship in the Cultural Sector

The Sponsors Club for Arts and Business will be delivering a subsidised seminar for everyone new to fundraising and business sponsorship, or thinking about ways to diversify income and optimise success in the sponsorship process.

The seminar will run on Thursday 12th June 2008 at Morpeth Mental Health Group, Morpeth High Street, from 9.30 - 1pm and is followed by lunch. The afternoon is then available for optional one to one sessions until 4pm to discuss your specific needs.

Further details are available here.

Training for the cultural sector

Northumbria University is hosting a series of networking days and training workshops on the following topics:

• Fresh Perspectives Networking Day
• Writing an Effective Press Release
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) and Cultural Enterprise
• Evaluation and Cultural Enterprise

Click here for more information.

Music cluster comes to Durham

Following the success of our pilot cluster group in Newcastle, Making Music is now setting up a cluster of music groups in Durham City and the surrounding area.

The group will decide its aims together but these might include:

• pooling publicity ideas and establishing where opportunities exist to work together
• anti-clash diary to avoid clashes of concert dates or repertoire
• collective bookings of soloists to reduce fees

An initial meeting will be held in Durham on an evening/weekend between 26 May and 8 June to suit all interested parties. At that meeting groups will discuss what the purpose of the cluster should be, how often it will meet and so on.

At this stage we would encourage society chairs plus one other (possibly a committee member responsible for publicity, venues or dates) to attend, although you are welcome to bring more people if you wish.

If you are interested in coming along to the first cluster meeting or would like more information please get in touch (kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308) or visit www.makingmusic-northeast.co.uk/cluster.

ICT & the Arts: presentations, resources and audio interview available now

If you were unable to attend Voluntary Arts England's recent ICT & the Arts regional training events/national conference but would still like to find out how your art or craft group could benefit from information and communication technologies (ICT) then visit the previous events section of their website.

In addition to being able to download presentations, handouts and resources, you can also listen to an audio interview with Voluntary Arts England Coordinator Reemer J Bailey, recorded at the conference, looking at how the work of Voluntary Arts England has been enhanced by the use of ICT and how a new 'participation portal' will be of benefit to voluntary/amateur arts and crafts groups

www.vaengland.org.uk

Care to cluster?

Making Music is interested in setting up 'clusters', or collectives of music groups, around the North East. Clusters can be a really useful way to develop contacts with other groups, share ideas and experiences, make joint plans for the future and get support from other groups in the same position as you.

A pilot cluster of orchestras and bands in the Newcastle area has been running since autumn 2007 and two informal meetings have already led to collaborations on sharing sheet music, reciprocal website links, anti-clash, and finding new members. A joint publicity brochure is also planned for the 2008/09 season. The cluster has also proved to be an enjoyable opportunity for groups to catch up with each other in a relaxed environment over a cup of coffee.

We are now asking other music groups who are interested in establishing a similar cluster in their area to get in touch with the Regional Development Officer. Making Music will support the initial formation of the cluster, although clusters will ultimately be autonomous and will decide for themselves how often and for how long they meet, what subjects are relevant to them, and which of the ideas generated they want to take forward.

Clusters can be relevant to any music group - whether you are a choral society, a steel pan band, a promoting society, community choir or any other kind of music group, the benefits of talking to other like-minded groups are numerous.

For more information, visit www.makingmusic-northeast.co.uk/cluster or contact Kirsty McDowell, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308.

Saturday Singing Classes in Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough Town Hall, 10.00am - 12.30pm

From 8 March 2008 Platform are holding singing classes for adults and children with an option to work on Vocal Technique or Just Sing for Fun. Open to all levels of vocal ability with tutors from a range of backgrounds including trained Opera Singers and Community Musicians. Classes will run every Saturday morning from March 8th. Whatever type of music you are into, come along and sing!

Sing for Fun classes are FREE
Vocal technique classes are £4 adult, £2 children
For more information visit www.platformteesvalley.org.uk or contact mail@platformteesvalley.org.uk.

Teaching Music Effectively (TME)

A short course for instrumental and vocal teachers
University of Teesside: 21-22 June and 20-21 Sept 2008

Platform is working in Partnership with the University of Teesside's School of Computing to bring the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music 4 day tutor training course to the Tees Valley.

Teaching Music Effectively covers the main issues that need to be explored as part of a career in music. It is designed to meet the needs of those relatively new to teaching who will benefit from support and guidance as they develop teaching skills and insights into learning. TME is also suitable for more experienced teachers in need of professional refreshment. The follow up weekend is scheduled for 20th/21st September.

For more information and a booking form visit www.platformteesvalley.org.uk or contact mail@platformteesvalley.org.uk.

New resources to help plan your repertoire

Our latest resource for member groups is a downloadable list of the notable forthcoming anniversaries of composers' births and deaths covering the next few years. This is intended to be a key component of an evolving toolkit that will help member groups in planning, giving you some ideas to consider for repertoire well in advance. Also, forewarned is forearmed - late planning may mean you find music scores for 'anniversary' composers in shorter supply, and also a probable glut of performances already scheduled across the region for pieces by that composer.

Forthcoming resources (in conjunction with the Dateline publication) will further help suggest uses of such a list (for example, thinking about alternative anniversaries or more obscure pieces, and planning and advertising dates well in advance) as well as other hints and tips on venues and promotion (some of which can be aided by use of this website).

For the downloadable list, check out the 'Other resources' section of the Training & Development area.

Free ICT training events from Voluntary Arts England

Newcastle, 26 February 2008

Workshop One: Is your art or craft group missing out?
More and more art and craft groups are using the web and computers to help their group and promote themselves - is your group missing out? This introductory workshop will guide you through the opportunities available to your group.

Workshop Two: Developing IT within your art and craft group
Masterclass exploring topics e.g. Web 2.0 and specialist software packages guiding you through the opportunities available to develop your IT capabilities.

Who can attend?
The events are primarily aimed at voluntary arts groups but are relevant to anyone involved in voluntary arts provision (national umbrella bodies, voluntary arts organisations, local authority arts officers, Arts Council staff, policy makers, consultants etc).

How to book
For more information and to book download the flyer and booking form from www.vaengland.org.uk or phone 0191 230 4464.

The Sage Gateshead's Early Years Network comes to Middlesbrough

Platform is bringing the successful Early Years Network for Music to Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday 29th March, 10am - 4pm.

Join The Sage Gateshead's Early Years Team, Tees Valley Music Service and Platform for a day of workshops, networking, talks and consultation. Meet other musicians, early years practitioners, music teachers, organisations and employers.

Take part in participative music-making workshops and have the opportunity to raise some of the issues that affect you in your practice.

Price: £20 including lunch

Contact Rebecca Pedlow, Platform Programme Manager on 01642 384687 or email mail@platformteesvally.org.uk for a booking form.

Primary Music Squad comes to Middlesbrough

Platform is bringing the successful Primary Music Squad, established by MusicLeader North East and designed by The Sage Gateshead, to Middlesbrough Town Hall on 25th February 2008.

Whole Class Singing, Information about the National Sing Up Campaign, Singing for Boys, Developing Music Policies, Good Partnership Practice, networking, learn new repertoire, develop new skills and all in one day of FREE training.

Tees Valley Music Service are running a session in the morning and The Sage Gateshead in the afternoon.

This day is open to anyone who works in Primary Schools, including teachers, musicians, parents who'd like to help with music in schools, teaching assistants, cleaners and so on.

The workshop is open to people from all levels of musical ability, from beginners to advanced, and will run from 10am until 3.30pm.

Contact Rebecca Pedlow, Platform Programme Manager on 01642 384687 or email mail@platformteesvally.org.uk for a booking form.

National survey into listening habits

Hear Here! is the UK's first classical music listening project, presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM, with support from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation launching in January 2008 with live performances, on air on Classic FM and online.

Hear Here! will develop month-by-month. Each month a different aspect of listening will be explored and investigated, to encourage us all to think about the music that we listen to in a completely different way.

A dedicated website at www.hearhere.org.uk will provide an interactive resource for the project with content changing and building month by month. Visit the website to take part in the national survey about your listening habits. You could even win a digital radio!

Get involved in the 2012 Cultural Olympiad

Voluntary Arts Network (VAN) recently published a special briefing - the first of a new series designed to keep you up to date with developments within The Cultural Olympiad, what's in it for the voluntary arts and how you can get involved.

London 2012's vision for The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is to make them for everyone in some way - to extend them beyond London, sport and 2012. The Cultural Olympiad is an integral part of this vision, allowing people to take part in cultural events and celebrations in London and all around the UK. It will begin in August 2008, directly after the end of the Beijing Games, and last for four years.

The briefing is available to download for free at www.voluntaryarts.org/12092.

New community grants fund

The Cabinet Office today unveiled the name of a new, multi-million pound funding programme to boost local community organisations with much-needed access to small grants and long-term financing. It also announced the appointment of the Community Development Foundation as its lead national partner in delivering the scheme.

'Grassroots Grants' will launch in the new year with £130 million available from 2008-2011 to strengthen the community sector. It will be divided into two parts: an £80 million small grants fund for community organisations; and a groundbreaking £50 million endowments programme to enable local foundations to generate additional donations from the private sector on a matched basis and invest them in endowments, thereby building their capacity to provide long-term funding for frontline community organisations.

For more information click here.

New consultation aims to reduce reporting red tape for charities

Deadline: 31 March 2008

The Office of the Third Sector and the Charity Commission have jointly published a new consultation, examining a package of proposals to reduce the red tape involved in financial reporting for charities. The two bodies have claimed that the proposals would reduce the regulatory burden for up to 75 per cent of registered main charities, allowing them to meet their accounting and reporting obligations in a simpler, less expensive, way.

The actual proposals include:

• only registered charities with an income above £25,000 would need to prepare a Trustees Annual Return, currently a requirement for all registered charities;
• the income threshold of £10,000, above which charities must submit their annual accounts to the Charity Commission would increase to £25,000;
• the income threshold of £10,000, above which charities must have their accounts externally examined, would increase to £25,000;

The consultation closes on 31 March 2008. To take part, visit
www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/threshold.asp.

Making Music North East announces training events

This month, Making Music launches a new programme to help voluntary music groups and community musicians engage with young people, families and their local communities.

'Sound' will combine structured training sessions with related longer-term development projects. Workshops will run across the North East and Yorkshire from January to June 2008, covering topics such as fund-raising, project planning, legalities and good practice in working with young people, marketing and image, and coaching young people.

Full details of the training events can be found in our events listings on the Training and Development page.

For more information about the 'Sound' programme visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/sound or contact Kirsty McDowell, North East Development Officer on 07855 642308, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Securing business sponsorship for your group

The Arts and Business (Community Foundation) is hosting a seminar on securing business sponsorship for your group. Further details below.


Seminar: Introduction to Sponsorship
Organised by: Arts and Business (Community Foundation)
Durham, 16 January 2008
9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: £15 (negotiable for voluntary groups if necessary)

An introduction to securing business sponsorship for your group.

For more information contact Ruth Raynor, rr@communityfoundation.org.uk, 0191 222 0945
www.sponsorsclub.org.uk

Cash boost for amateur music

Music making across the North East and Yorkshire this month received a boost with the award of almost £4000 from the Awards for All lottery fund.

The money, awarded to the umbrella group Making Music, will go towards subsidising training and offering project opportunities to voluntary music groups and community musicians across the region in 2008.

David Crookes, Chairman of Making Music's voluntary committee in the North East, said, "This is great news for voluntary music making in the region. With an already thriving live music scene this award will enable existing music groups to open up their range of work."

Steel pan bands, orchestras, choirs and brass bands are just some of the extremely varied music groups who could benefit from the new funding. With a membership of almost 250 groups in the North East and Yorkshire, representing over 10,000 musicians and tens of thousands of audience members every year, there is no doubt the money will reach a large number of people.

Making Music will hold a series of training events around the North East and Yorkshire in 2008, covering a range of issues helping music groups work with young people. A project, 'Sound', will also be launched later this year to promote interaction between music groups, communities and young people.

More information on Making Music's forthcoming projects and events can be found here on the Making Music North East website, or by contacting the North East Development Officer (kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308).

Using the Arts with Young People at Risk

29th November 2007, 10.00 - 16.15
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art,
Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead NE8 3BA

Artsplan, the training and publications arm of Artswork, the national youth arts development agency, is pleased to be delivering the one day course 'Using the Arts with Young People at Risk' at the Baltic.

'Using the Arts with Young People at Risk' will run on 29th November 2007. The course explores what can be achieved when using the arts with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. It will cover many of the practical issues involved in using the arts with young people at risk, including current CRB child protection legislation.

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon successful completion of the course, and a wealth of practical resources. The full prices for the course, which includes lunch and refreshments, is £150 but bursaries are available to allow a small number of volunteers to attend for just £55 each.

For more information on the course and to book a place, please contact Jay Barron, Artsplan Development Manager, on artsplan@artswork.org.uk or call 023 8063 0960. To subscribe to ENYAN visit www.enyan.co.uk.

Funding from Wear1 in Sunderland and Wearside

The Sunderland Echo is launching its highly successful Wear1 campaign for the second year running. The campaign is run by the paper to raise local pride in Wearside.
As part of the Campaign, the Community Foundation manages the Wear1 Fund awarding small grants to community groups working in Sunderland and Wearside.
Application details are shown in the Sunderland Echo and will be printed from 17 October 2007 and run for the full duration of the Campaign.
Find out more by reading the Sunderland Echo article.

Making Music launches cluster group

To help groups work together towards shared goals Making Music and the Tyneside Chamber Orchestra are launching a 'cluster' group for orchestras in the Newcastle area.
The group will address subjects as diverse as shared publicity, anti-clash diaries and block bookings of soloists.

Members of all Making Music orchestras in the Newcastle area have been invited to attend the initial meeting, which will be held in mid-November.

There are then plans to roll the idea out across the North East in 2008.

If you would like to get involved in the Newcastle orchestra cluster, or if you would like more information about setting up a cluster group in you area, contact Kirsty McDowell, Regional Development Officer for the North East, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308.

ENYAN Launches New 'Creative Youth Consultation & Participation Toolkit'

Do you want to find out more about how the arts can be used to consult with young people?

How do young people really like to be consulted with, how much does it cost and what are the challenges we face?

This year, ENYAN (English National Youth Arts Network) launched a national campaign, 'What Do YOU THink?'. As part of this campaign, and after much research and consultation with the youth arts sector, the network is delighted to announce the launch of the 'Creative Youth Consultation & Participation Toolkit', which has been developed to provide clarity and support for the youth arts sector in this field.

The toolkit is of value to you if you work with, or for, young people and would like to take a creative approach to consultation projects or want to encourage creative participation. It is also of great importance to funders and governing bodies and acts as an advocacy document to encourage additional support for this area in the future.

The toolkit is completely FREE! To request your copy email Lisa, Projects Assistant, at enyan2@artswork.org.uk or call 023 8063 0960 - you can request the resource as a PDF attachment or a hard copy. As an ENYAN member you can also download this new resource from the website at http://www.enyan.co.uk/uploadable_media/show/4513.

ENYAN membership is now completely free! Sign up at www.enyan.co.uk

Youth Arts in Focus: the 6 guideline collective

Artswork has published a '6 guideline collective', a set of comprehensive guidelines to help you explore and set up initiatives within the wide-ranging world of youth arts. Each pack compliments a same-named course in the Artsplan training programme so that theory can be put into hands-on practice.

Pack titles include:

• Creating Respect: using youth arts to develop an understanding of cultural diversity;
• Using the arts with juvenile and young offenders;
• Access all Areas: disability and youth arts;
• Working Together: using the arts with young people;
• Using the arts to work with young asylum seekers and refugees;
• Using the arts to work with young people at risk.

Each pack addresses specific issues within its topical area, such as focussing on the ways in which barriers to participation within the arts can be removed for disabled young people and young asylum seekers. For further details or to make an order, please contact the Artsplan Development Manager Jay Barron on 023 80630960 or visit www.artswork.org.uk/artsplan.

Awards for Young Musicians

Awards for Young Musicians invests £50,000 a year in talented musicians in the UK. Awards vary between £200 and £2000 and are available to young people aged 5 to 18 to contribute towards expenses such as teaching, course fees, travel and instrument purchases.

Applicants are required to:

• have achieved distinction in their last music exam, or, if they haven't taken exams, show evidence of this level of ability;
• be recommended by their music teacher;
• have their families show evidence of financial need.

Application forms for 2008 awards are available from October 2007 from www.a-y-m.org.uk.

Artsplan launch new Training Centre in the North East

Artsplan, the training and publications department of Artswork and the in-house training provider of ENYAN (English National Youth Arts Network) have just announced the launch of a new Artsplan Training Centre (ATC) at Baltic on Gateshead Quays.

The one-day courses, 'Using the Arts with Young People at Risk', and 'Get Sorted 2: budgeting and fundraising a youth arts project' have been chosen following a period of consultation of professional development needs in the North East.

'Using the Arts with Young People at Risk' will run on 29th November 2007. The course explores what can be achieved when using the arts with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. Starting with an explanation of the benefits of youth arts this session will cover many of the practical issues involved in using the arts with young people at risk, including current CRB child protection legislation.

'Get Sorted 2: budgeting and fundraising a youth arts projects' will run on 26th March 2008. This course is aimed at anyone who has a good idea for a youth arts project, but needs help in developing their budget and successfully securing funding for their project. Based upon years of experience of setting up and running successful youth arts projects in a variety of settings, Get Sorted 2 will take you through a step by step guide for planning and drafting your own budget, advise on the best way to fill in funding applications and suggest where you can go to find the funds you need.

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon successful completion of the course, and a wealth of practical resources. Prices for the courses, which include lunch and refreshments, range from £150 to £110, with bursaries available. Please also remember that ENYAN members receive 5% discount on all Artsplan publications and training.

For more information on the course and to book a place, please contact Jay Barron, Artsplan Development Manager, on artsplan@artswork.org.uk or call 023 8063 0960. To subscribe to ENYAN visit www.enyan.co.uk.

National study of voluntary arts activity in England

On 6 September 2007 Margaret Hodge today announced that DCMS is commissioning a new study which will produce, for the first time, a national picture of amateur arts activity in England.

Speaking to the National Association of Local Government Arts Officers (NALGAO) conference, she unveiled plans for the six-month joint Arts Council England research project. As well as trying to provide a national picture of the sector, the study will explore what prompts people to take part (and what barriers there are) and the impact voluntary arts groups can have in their communities. A second strand to the research will seek to determine the contribution Adult and Community Learning makes to public engagement with and participation in the arts.

The research is expected to be published in May 2008.

(from CNE Bulletin)

Understanding the web and making it work for your organisation

These FREE sessions are aimed at any third sector voluntary or community organisation, which is either considering developing a website or, which already has one but wants to make it more effective.

The sessions will cover everything from choosing a web designer, to understanding accessibility and search engines. They will be presented in clear simple English and include support materials. Additionally, we are running a day where you will have the opportunity of a consultation where you can discuss your specific web requirements directly.

These sessions will be held on November 1st and 7th at the VONNE offices.

More information: www.flatlinedesign.co.uk/training

BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year

Deadline: 18 November 2007

BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year is open for entries until 18 November 2007. Choirs of all sizes and musical styles are invited to take part, and there is no fee for entering. The first stage of the competition requires participants to send in recordings of their choir in action, followed by area and national selection. The competition culminates with six finalists performing at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 7 December 2008.

More information and application forms can be found on the competition website at www.choiroftheyear.co.uk.

New form for charity registration

A new streamlined application form for charities in England and Wales wishing to register with the Charity Commission will appear on 1 October 2007, and the old style will cease to be accepted after 30 November 2007.

For more information, visit www.charitycommission.gov.uk/registration/newregform.asp.

PRS Funding Opportunity

Deadline: 2 November 2007

The PRS Foundation for New Music is again providing £50,000 to inspire and stimulate the creation of an imaginative and original piece of new British music. The New Music Award is of up to £50,000 towards a new music project and will be decided in March 2008.
In order to be considered for an award, you are required to submit an idea which:

• Is and original piece of new music
• Is intriguing, inspiring, creative and of the highest possible quality
• Challenges the boundaries of musical performance in the UK today
• Has at least one guaranteed live public performance in the UK
• Has the potential to create a lasting musical impact and reach a significant number of people
• Has been created by composers / songwriters / producers etc. living and working in the UK

Music of any genre is welcome to be entered. The performance can be presented in any context or suitable media. The project must have a public performance/showing in the UK by 1 September 2009. Additional performances need not be confirmed when an entry is submitted, however the Foundation will be looking for projects which will have a lasting musical impact.

The Award is open to individuals, groups, organisations and consortia. Additional information and entry forms are available from www.prsfoundation.co.uk/newmusicaward/index.htm

Culture Awards 2007

The Journal is now welcoming nominations for their Culture Awards 2007. The new annual awards aim to recognise outstanding North East cultural contributions from performances to playwrights, events to exhibitions, musicians to museums, artists to actors.

To nominate, or for further information visit http://www.journallive.co.uk/cultureawards.

The Culture Awards 2007 will be held at Northern Stage, Newcastle on Monday, 31 March 2008.

(Article taken from Culture North East Bulletin)

Voluntary Arts Ambassadors - available to visit YOUR group

Voluntary Arts Ambassadors meet with voluntary and amateur arts and craft groups across the country highlighting the work of Voluntary Arts England

Existing Voluntary Arts Ambassadors have been locating groups in their area, meeting with those groups, passing on information, distributing resources e.g. leaflets and giving presentations about our work.

If you are based in the North East, South East, South West or East region and feel that your group could benefit from a Arts Ambassador visit to learn more about our work and the FREE information services that we provide then download the attached booking form or contact Paul Devlin on 0191 230 4464

If you would like to become a Voluntary Arts Ambassador then visit www.vaengland.org.uk to download an application form. Induction / training days happen 3 times a year with the net one being planned currently.

Click here for the booking form: Booking Form (doc - 36k)

(From Voluntary Arts England News)

BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2008 (Deadline: 10 September 2007)

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, and the search for new talent is on. Whether you are a soloist, duo or group, the BBC Radio 2 Mike Harding Show is looking for young people aged between 15 and 20 who perform folk, roots and acoustic music from any culture. This is a great opportunity for young performers to learn new skills from professional musicians, be taught the tricks of the music trade and immerse themselves in making music and song with other like-minded people.

To enter, each group, duo or soloist should send a recording of their performance along with a completed entry form to:

BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2008,
Mrs Casey Music,
PO Box 296,
Matlock,
Derbyshire DE4 3XU.

To request an entry form please email info@mrscasey.co.uk or call 01629 827012.
Alternatively you can download an entry form from the BBC Radio 2 website at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2. Entry forms and recordings must arrive by Monday 10 September 2007.

Entrants must live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. For information and full entry guidelines email info@mrscasey.co.uk or call 01629 827012.

(News item from Voluntary Arts England news).

New factsheets available

Two new factsheets have been added to the Training and Development section - one on Fund-Raising and Maximising Resources, and one on Strengthening Your Committee.
Both are available in PDF format for you to download and print or save.
Head over to the Training and Development page where you can find them listed under Further Information with a whole host of other useful resources.

TalkTalk Innovation in the Community Awards 2007

Many UK charities and community groups have recognised the power of the Internet for giving much needed support, from chat rooms on health issues to web-based support networks.

Broadband, mobile and other digital technologies are helping to provide essential lifelines. TalkTalk and Citizens Online have teamed up to help UK charities and community groups harness the power of the web. Thirty projects will benefit from £2,000 each, plus a year's free subscription to TalkTalk. The TalkTalk innovation in the Community Awards 2007 are open to community groups and registered charities in the UK that are seeking funding for new and existing Internet projects.

For more details click here.

UP FOR ARTS Festival

Are you up for some fun? For something new? For meeting people?

If so, take part in UP FOR ARTS - a six week fest of arts and crafts of all sorts in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber and London. It's all about taking part in voluntary arts and crafts. From painting to pottery, drama to dancing, there will be shows and activities at unusual or unexpected venues. The first event is:

The UP FOR ARTS Festival at the Metro Centre in Gateshead on 22-26 July 2007. Sunderland City Library and Arts Centre 27 July Washington Arts Centre 28 July

Actor Robson Green, who supports the campaign, says: "UP FOR ARTS is a great way to try something new and have some fun. Being a student at Backworth drama centre awoke something in me and that was knowledge through creative expression and as a result I realised what I wanted to do with my life. Drama and the arts allows us to realise our possibilities and exceed our limitations. Have a go at the Metro Centre or visit an event near you and be amazed at what it could do for you".

Whatever your background, qualifications or physical abilities, find out what's on offer. Challenge yourself and have some fun. And it's all for free. Keep checking out our website for regular updates - www.vaengland.org.uk/artsandcrafts.

Cobweb Orchestra Leader Training

The Cobweb Orchestra is looking for leaders (in the sense of facilitator/conductors rather than first violinists) who want to develop their skills working with amateur orchestral musicians. Once trained, there are opportunities for paid work with the newly independent and expanding Cobweb Orchestra as a regional group leader or on a sessional basis.

What the training offers: One day studying repertoire and methods with the chance to try out your conducting with the Guinea Pig Orchestra. One session running an orchestral rehearsal with follow-up tutorial to discuss further development.

Trainer profile: We are looking for musicians with a wide variety of skills. You may be a community musician with an interest (possibly slightly rusty) in orchestras, or you may be an orchestral player who would like to try conducting and know more about how to run a successful ensemble, or a choir trainer who wants to diversify.

You can read full details of this exciting opportunity and how to apply here.

Benefiting from the experience of others

Making Music members across the North East of England recently got the chance to take a closer look at their funding situation at two events entitled "Looking to the Future".

The events covered a wide range of ideas, and while the standard topics of applying for grants and looking for sponsors were covered, there was also a strong focus on being innovative in raising and using funds and maximising the resources you have. Getting endorsements from local celebrities, securing 'in-kind' support from rehearsal venues and offering a 'concert virgins' scheme (whereby anyone who has never been to a classical music concert before gets free entry) were just some of the ideas discussed.

As well as the opportunity to meet members of the North East committee and the Training and Development Officer, professionals from national concert venue The Sage Gateshead and lobbying organisation Platform Tees Valley were also present. Both spoke enthusiastically on the subject of fund-raising and maximising resources, and had a great deal of ideas and experience to share.

Making Music's own Paul McLaughlin was also on hand to offer ideas and advice to those present, and Kirsty McDowell (North East Development Officer) guided members through the many benefits of Making Music membership, helping them identify additional benefits they might have been unaware of. In addition there was plenty of time for members to discuss ideas and past experiences (both good and bad!) with each other over coffee, and delegates came away with a host of new ideas to try out in their own societies.

If you would like more information about fund-raising or maximising resources contact Kirsty McDowell at kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Have Your Say

Making Music representatives should recently have received a questionnaire in the post asking you some questions about your society - what you have done in the past, what concerns you have for the future, and so on.

If Training and Development in the North East had a resolution this year it would be to get to know all our members in the region. Some societies we already know well, some not so well, and we want to correct this situation over the coming months to get a picture of all our members - what you do, what challenges you face and how we can help you overcome these difficulties.

We'll use the information we get from you to help us decide where to focus our efforts and how best to help you in the coming year so please make use of this opportunity to tell us what you want!

We're also interested in hearing about your past successes - have you commissioned a new work, run masterclasses, raised funds for new equipment or put on a special event? If so let us know about it!

If you haven't received your questionnaire contact Kirsty McDowell, Training and Development Officer North East (07855 642308, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk).

Online Ticketing Project

Cappella Novocastriensis, a chamber choir based in Newcastle upon Tyne, has been awarded a grant by Arts Council England/Making Music North East Training and Development Fund, to investigate the feasibility of, and demand for, web-based ticketing for events staged by amateur music societies in the North of England and the technical and financial requirements necessary to put such a service in place.

Member societies wishing to find out more can do so in the Training and Development section.