Blog
[PODCAST] [6] Getting media coverage for your music education and community music work – with Penny James, Cardiff-based media publicist
In this episode, I’m talking with Penny James, a freelance media publicist, about how get media coverage in newspapers and magazines, radio and TV. Penny has held press manager roles with organisations such as Welsh National Opera and St David’s Hall, and she’s created national, and in some cases international coverage for people like Wales…
Read More[PODCAST] [5] Making music education a core subject in the poorest schools in New York – Education Through Music
In this episode, I’m talking with Penny Swift, Executive Director and Katherine Damkohler, Director of National Activities of Education Through Music (ETM). ETM is a New York-based organisation working with under-resourced schools to provide music education as a core subject for all students. It has experienced significant growth over the last few years, and has…
Read More[PODCAST] [4] Young people, music mentoring and digital stories – with Simon Glenister of Noise Solution
In this episode, I’m talking with Simon Glenister, Director of Noise Solution, a social enterprise based in Bury St Edmunds which provides 1-1 music mentoring programmes using music technology for young people in challenging circumstances. Noise Solution is interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly, the business model is unusual for this sector – Noise…
Read MoreAttracting young people – the importance of feeling welcome
If you find it a challenge to attract young people to your activities, Making Music has advice to help, based on their research with young people and music groups*. These tips and insights were shared by Making Music at a seminar hosted by Tŷ Cerdd last weekend at their base in Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.…
Read MoreA step-by-step guide to writing a case study that wins hearts and minds [1]
If you work in a small charity, music or arts organisation you probably need to write advocacy case studies about the impact of your work. But how often do you find yourself staring at a blank page, feeling under pressure, and not sure where to begin? Having a set of questions to follow makes the…
Read More[PODCAST] [3] Breaking the mould: Wiltshire Music Connect’s community development model for a music education hub
In this episode, I’m talking with Nick Howdle and Sophie Amstell of Wiltshire Music Connect, which is a music education hub. Hubs are partnerships of organisations in England, such as local authorities, schools, voluntary and other organisations who receive government funding to create joined-up music education provision in their local area. They’re required to fulfil…
Read MoreWhy stories will help your small charity, music or arts organisation (and a bit of science)
I was inspired to write this blog post by a great article from Michelle Wright of Cause4 and Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy, about how we should do more advocating through stories. We see a lot of ‘Save our music service’, ‘Save our theatre etc’ stories of risk/deficit in the arts and charities. That’s understandable, and…
Read More[PODCAST] [2] Music therapy, community music and music education – Dr Simon Procter, Nordoff Robbins
In this episode, I’m talking with Dr Simon Procter who is Director of Music Services (Education, Research and Public Affairs) for Nordoff Robbins, the national music therapy charity. You may know Nordoff Robbins because of famous supporters like Nile Rodgers, Sting, Ricky from Kaiser Chiefs (and The Voice), and many others, as well as fundraising…
Read MoreHow to bring more relevant people to your website through content marketing
Would you like to grow the number of potential customers and stakeholders visiting your website, signing up to your enews, and ultimately supporting your organisation? Who wouldn’t. And in today’s era of ‘Google it’, publishing useful content – often called ‘content marketing’ – can make a big difference to the success of your charity or…
Read More[PODCAST] [1] Music for education & wellbeing – guest Anita Collins
In this episode, the first of my new podcast series, I talk to Dr Anita Collins, an educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning, based in Australia. You can listen now below, on Spotify (search for the name), and soon on iTunes. Or read the transcript here. About the…
Read More