There’s no doubt it’s been a tough year so far. However, summer has brought a renewed energy and things are starting to bloom in the music world!
From opportunities and events to good reads and inspiration, here’s some of the things we’ve had our eyes on recently…

Good reads + news

Comfort in Culture 

“If we have culture at the base of everything, we have the resilience and the possibility of rebuilding no matter what comes our way because we are sustaining one another, and together, we’re stronger” Yo-Yo Ma

Google Arts and Culture has put together a project inspired by Yo-Yo Ma’s Songs of Comfort, where you can discover how the artist and other creatives find comfort in culture during the covid crisis. 🔗 Check it out here…

Culture of Comfort

Do you know about the lap slide guitar?  

🔗 Watch Tom Doughty introducing this beautiful instrument and explaining its differences to the traditional guitar.

This is part 1 of a series Tom filmed with us which we’ll be sharing on Facebook over the next few weeks. If you can’t wait for the rest, head to our YouTube channel!

As featured in our Guide to Adaptive Musical Instruments.

#CanDoMusic 

This UK-wide campaign aims to ensure all children and young people can resume their musical learning this autumn. It offers practical teaching resources, guidance on how to adapt to the ‘new normal’, advice on online teaching, and information to help individuals and organisations advocate for music in schools. Its mission is to celebrate and unlock the innovation of music teachers and senior leaders, ensuring that music plays a central role in rebuilding their school communities.

Created by the ISM, Music Mark and the Music Teachers’ Association. 🔗 Learn more…

Video series – Musician’s in lockdown

We thoroughly enjoyed these mesmerising videos series focused on the plight of musicians in lockdown – always a joy to hear Sheila Maurice-Grey of the band Kokoroko!

🔗 Watch here…

Shelia Maurice-Grey Trumpeter

Carbon neutral music-making 

All pInstruments, many of which have been included in our Guide to Adaptive Musical Instruments, have been independently certified as carbon neutral – whatever colour you choose, it will be green! 🙌

🔗 Learn more…

Music technology opens the doors…”

…to composition, songwriting, recording and music production, live sound, arrangement, orchestration, event management and many other creative music making chances and careers; for example, making music for film, games and animation. It is inclusive across all genders, ages, backgrounds and abilities.”

🔗 Read ‘Demystifying the world of technology in music education’ here. A brilliant piece from our friends at the ISM.

A feast for musicians’ eyes!

Springburn Park, a new theatre space in Glasgow, has used about 40 recycled pianos to create seating in their auditorium and isn’t it beautiful? 😍

🔗 Find out more…

Auditorium seating created out of old pianos

Online Music Exams have launched their new website! 

OME is a great alternative to traditional exams for many reasons, especially in light of lockdown restrictions. 

🔗 Find out why…

“Live music isn’t merely some appealing adjunct, it’s a way I connect with my emotions, communicate with others, and periodically flee from ordinary life.” 

We miss it too 💙 A great article by Rick Burin on the Guardian. 🔗 Read on… 

Opportunities + Events

696 Resident Artists 

The Hornimam’s 696 Resident Artists programme is calling for music artists at the cutting edge of south London’s music scene. During a year-long residency, Resident Artists will develop an artistic project in response to the Horniman’s collection of musical instruments which is one of the most comprehensive and exciting in the UK.

Do you know someone producing the best new Afrobeat, Jazz, Grime, Rap, R&B, Reggae and Soul music?

🔗 Learn more and apply…

696

Are you an instrument maker, designer or technician up for a challenge?

Could you create or develop musical instruments that can be played without the use of one hand and arm? The OHMI Trust Competition is open for submissions!

🔗 Find out more and apply…

Coventry City of Culture Trust Grants

A new initiative has been launched to provide micro-commissions to D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists in Coventry and Warwickshire. Projects can include theatre, live art, dance, music and poetry.

🔗 Learn more and apply…

Digital members club for womxn in music tech launched by Saffron 

‘Saffron is a non-profit organisation working to support and champion female-identifying and non-binary people (womxn) in music technology, challenging the current climate of the industry and offering training in music production, sound engineering and DJing, as well as artist mentoring and development.’ 

🔗 Learn more and join the club which will will provide year-round tools and opportunities for womxn to connect.

Saffron

#YouthMusicNextGen – Podcast

Youth Music are recruiting a team to produce a six-part podcast series delving into social and political themes behind the music that they love. This is a great opportunity for someone in the early stages of their creative career!

🔗 Learn more and apply…

St Hugh’s Foundation for the Arts

Just announced: a programme of ‘Artists Respond’ funding in 2020 to support artists living/working in the City of Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (including North and North East Lincolnshire). The Foundation will be offering 8 grants of £750 to artists of all disciplines, at all stages of their practice. The aim of these grants is to enable selected artists to engage with their practice in whichever form feels most relevant at this challenging time, without the need to produce something at the end. 

🔗 Learn more and apply… 

CLASH Studios x Digit Music

Sign up to attend the CLASH Studios x Digit Music Production pilot session in London this month! It will be focusing on accessible music technology. We’re sure this will be an amazing workshop with our friends Jason Dasent and Digit Music.

🔗 Sign up and find out more…

CLASH

Lewisham Lounge Fest

Call out for young artists aged 7-15 and 16-21! Lewisham Music are hosting their first ever online music festival featuring an eclectic mix of diverse young musicians on Friday 14th August. Whatever your style, genre or ability they want you to take part – send in your recordings for a chance to feature on one of the digital stages.

🔗 Learn more…

Free Feldenkrais Workshop

Join the ISM on the 12th August @ 2-3pm for a free practical Feldenkrais workshop with violinist and Feldenkrais practitioner Emma Alter. They’ll examine how we hold emotional tension in the way we move and hold our physical selves. Wear comfy clothes!

🔗 Sign up here…

Tell us what you think: @Takeitawaymusic