Our members 3022 members, one voice
26 information and advice events, covering 14 topics 97% of members insured
400 new pieces commissioned by members
strain to make themselves heard by the powers that be, wish it was easier to connect with other amateur groups, shop around for ages to find affordable insurance, wonder how to challenge themselves artistically,
1.5 million total annual audiences
fret about how to attract a wide audience to their events,
ÂŁ18.8 million spent on 34,000 music professionals
struggle to express their contribution to the professional music sector, and then get on with making music. Annual Report 2014 A year of crossing stuff off the to-do list Fighting for the best deals and providing the expertise, networks and support that our members need to set up, run and thrive as voluntary music groups.
This page: Amateur singers performing David Lang's Crowd Out, commissioned by Birmingham Contemporary Music Group Š Robert Day Following spread: Southampton Ukele Jam Š Sarah Filmer
Annual Report 2014
Our vision Our vision is of communities enriched by flourishing amateur and community music groups offering opportunities for participation and engagement in music to all in their locality, transforming individual and community wellbeing. Our mission Making Music's mission is to support, develop, connect and champion its members and everyone who makes, performs and presents music on a voluntary basis.
Message from the Executive Director
5
Membership 6 Services 8 Projects 10 Advocacy 12 Campaigns 14 About us
16
Financial summary
17
Staff and board 2015
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All quotes in this report come from the Making Music treasurers' survey and membership survey, and from feedback forms from Making Music projects and events.
The Trustees are delighted with the charity’s progress in 2014. In all nations of the UK, membership has increased, reflecting the growth in amateur music making across the country. We continue our efforts to help our members flourish in all ways, and have begun extensive work with many local authorities to help make sure that local music library services continue. We thank our staff, our volunteers, and everyone associated with Making Music for all their efforts.
Peter Lawson Chair, Making Music
Message from the Executive Director 2014 was quite a year for Making Music: it re-focussed its purpose, its funding base altered significantly, and it planned and raised funds for substantial organisational development in 2015. It was not nice having to say good-bye, for business reasons, to a number of staff who had strongly contributed to supporting members over the years, and I would like to thank them for their commitment to amateur groups and Making Music, and for the difference they made. You see a positive result of 2014's hard and sometimes unpalatable organisational work in the balanced finances we ended the year with. So you can continue to rely on your membership association to provide you with the practical services, artistic development support and the advocacy which it uniquely undertakes on behalf of the amateur music sector. I would like to celebrate, too, the hard work of the new membership team at Making Music who arrived in a year of turmoil, threw themselves with enthusiasm at supporting members and have managed, in the midst of upheaval and IT fiascos, to
increase our membership by 3% as well as serving existing members efficiently and in the trademark Making Music friendly manner. As ever, we work hard to ensure that members and their needs are at the heart of everything we do, so by the end of 2015 you will begin to see the results of some close listening to your views and issues, and I look forward to crossing ever more ‘boring’ stuff off your to-do list, so you can focus on making or presenting music. All our staff, of course, are dedicated, professional and passionate about amateur music, as are our 70 or so volunteers across the UK, and I'd like to thank them all for their valuable contribution.
Barbara Eifler Executive Director, Making Music
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Membership
Making Music has 3,022 member groups representing approximately 170,000 individuals. There are three types of group membership:
1. Full membership
£7,200 or under
full members
2. Associate membership
Open to any music group or organisation, but only amateur groups are eligible for the insurance scheme.
180
associate members
3. Affiliate membership Open to any network organisation wishing to purchase Making Music services for its own members.
124
groups represented by our 3 affiliate members
Corporate membership Open to self-employed individuals and businesses wishing to establish partnerships with Making Music and promote their services to amateur music groups.
15
corporate members at the end of 2014
For details of all types of membership and how to join, see www.makingmusic.org.uk/join-us. 6
£31,00 0 – £100,0 00
£ – £ 14,5 21 00 ,00 0
00 1,0 0 £2 1,00 3 – £
Open to any amateur music group which has charitable objectives, does not pay its members and which provides for the disbursement of its funds, should it wind up, to another similar charitable organisation.
2,718
£7,200 – £14,50 0
Fig. 1 Our members by level of income
Above £100,000
£7,200 or under 50.5% of members
£21,000 – £31,000 7% of members
£7,200 – £14,500 23% of members
£31,000 – £100,000 8% of members
£14,500 – £21,000 10% of members
Above £100,000 1.5% of members
You do an excellent job and the musical world would be a worse place without you... I can’t thank you enough for the help and advice.
Membership survey Individual membership Our two types of membership for individuals were launched in 2014: •
Individual membership is open to anyone with an interest in amateur and community music or who wishes to support the work of Making Music.
•
Musical Instrument Insurance Plus (with Individual membership included) is made up of four standard packages offering simple, comprehensive, flexible and low cost cover for all musical instruments and property in one household.
While overall take up was lower than expected, the number joining Individual membership only was higher than anticipated and showed there is an appetite for Making Music to provide a home for the amateur music community and an opportunity for its supporters to show their enthusiasm.
54 19 35
members in total at the end of 2014
The results of our 2014 Membership survey were released in August 2014. Key findings: • Our practical services and the advice we offer are the key motivators behind membership. These are followed by our lobbying and advocacy role, artistic services and creating a community and network of musicians. Areas to improve: • Increasing awareness of the full range of services offered by Making Music. •
Improving the website – something that is being addressed in 2015.
98%
83%
93%
87%
satisfiction rate for insurance services
satisfiction rate for information sheets
satisfiction rate for PRS collection scheme
satisfied with their Making Music membership
Individual members
Musical Instrument Plus members
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Services We support and connect our members. We also influence on their behalf. Services update for 2014
Training events
Support
19
272
3
99%
Our insurance scheme The insurance scheme was been extended at the current rates for a further three years, meaning prices will not increase until at least 2018. PRS We negotiated a new contract with PRS for music. This extended the existing scheme and means members continue to have access to the fixed rate tariff for performance royalties, as well as the ease of fee collection and payment through Making Music. Information sheets Our bank of information sheets was updated and added to. New sheets include: •
Come and sing/play day toolkit
•
Marketing events – a step by step guide
•
Approaching the media – top 10 tips
•
BASCA template commission contract
Website statistics
802,341 9,837 4,841
Total page views
Information sheets viewed and downloaded
Programme notes viewed and downloaded
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events across the UK
different topics covered
bookings
found courses relevant
Information and advice events
26
364
14
98%
events across the UK
different topics covered
bookings
found content interesting
From knowing next to nothing, I now feel confident in putting some relatively simple strategies in place which should help to bring about greater developments in future.
Partner organisations
Corporate members
We worked with many different organisations in 2014 to help deliver services and resources to our members:
•
Making Music insurance Services Our partners for the group and individual insurance
•
PRS for Music Helping us to deliver our PRS fee collection scheme
•
Charity Commission Work on our new model constitution and trustee guidance got under way.
•
Sound and Music Partners in our Adopt a Composer project
•
BASCA Sharing resources for our members to use
•
Ticket source Offering discounts for online tickets
•
We Got Tickets Online ticketing scheme for members
•
Sinfini Sharing content for members
•
Classical Music Magazine Discounts for members and exclusive access to online articles
•
BBC Supporting our Adopt a Composer scheme and we were involved with their Ten Pieces project
•
Voluntary Arts Sharing content, supporting Voluntary Arts week and being a partner organisation for the Epic Awards 9
Projects
Making Music’s project work aims to: • encourage more people to become involved in live music on a voluntary basis so they and their communities can enjoy the benefits • support members’ artistic and practical ambitions and development Here is a representative selection of our projects from 2014 Award for Young Concert Artists
Adopt a Composer
Funded by a legacy from the Philip and Dorothy Green Music Trust, these awards enable members to engage exceptional young professional musicians at subsidised rates.
Funded by the PRS for Music Foundation and delivered in partnership with Sound and Music, this project matches six emerging professional composers with member groups for a year, leading to a piece being written for the amateur group specifically, and broadcast by BBC Radio 3. The 2014 pairings were:
The 2014 artists were: Katherine Birtles, flute; Alberto Casadei, cello; Manus Noble, guitar; Marios Panteliadis, piano; Matthew Scott, clarinet; Joo Yeon Sir, violin; Alexander Soares, piano.
I feel really blessed to be part of Making Music’s AYCA family. I really couldn’t ask for more! Thank you for making all of this possible for me. Joo Yeon Sir, 2014 AYCA winner
Ailie Robertson with Jubilate Anna Braithwaite with Quirky Choir Kirsty Devaney with Arden Recorder Orchestra Mark Carroll with Strathaven Choral Michael Betteridge with Cobweb Orchestra Seán Doherty with Kensington Symphony Orchestra
I feel we are now more connected to a musical world outside our little corner of Dorset and at the same time more appreciative of what we have here in terms of landscape, sea, wildlife and our choir. Quangle Wangle Choir (group 2013-14)
This project has given me the confidence to actively seek amateur groups to work with, and to seek funding to work with other amateur groups in the near future. Jenny Pinnock (composer 2013-14) 10
Grade 1 Challenge
Pauline Thompson Legacy
The Grade 1 Challenge pilot event was launched in London and the South East areas in August 2014, aimed at encouraging existing musicians to learn a new instrument in just three months. 13 people took part, and Making Music arranged for everyone to take their exam in the same session so that all participants had the opportunity to meet and support each other. Everyone passed with either merit or distinction (including one candidate with absolutely no previous musical experience!) and participants raised over ÂŁ2,000 for Making Music through sponsorship.
In autumn 2014 Making Music was honoured to receive a substantial legacy from the late Pauline Thompson OBE, who had been a passionate choral singer all her life, including with Making Music member the Anton Bruckner Choir.
Following the success of the pilot scheme, we are expanding the challenge in 2015 to include all areas of the UK, with a new focus on encouraging anyone, regardless of previous musical experience, to learn a new instrument to grade 1 standard within a year.
Her donation is intended to encourage young people to sing and integrate with adult choirs, and also to create or collect appropriate repertoire. In 2015 Making Music will commence to fulfil her wishes with the appointment of a Youth Engagement Manager to investigate the barriers for young people in joining amateur music groups and to devise a programme of work to help remove such barriers.
Awards Making Music presents a number of awards, which recognise individuals’ lifelong contributions to the musical life of the UK. In 2014 the Lady Hilary Groves Prize went to Andrea Encinas, co-founder of The British Gospel Arts Consortium. The Sir Charles Groves Prize was awarded to Nicola Benedetti for her outstanding contribution to British music and the Presidents Award was given to Linda Young for her outstanding service as a Making Music volunteer. Steve Forman won the Making Music award at the British Composer Awards 2014 with his composition for member group the Dunbartonshire Concert Band.
Barbara Eifler presents Nicola Benedetti with the Sir Charles Groves Prize 2014. Š McPherson Stevens Creative Photography
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Advocacy and campaigns
The 2014 membership survey helped Making Music focus its advocacy work. Your steer was that musical issues are what you would like us to concentrate on most urgently.
Music libraries This was the number one music-specific topic of 2014, i.e. specialist sheet music lending services located within the public library system. With the budget reductions in local authorities and widespread reorganisation of libraries, this nonstatutory service is often first for the chop. Expensive to run and perceived to be for a small group of residents only, its real impact is often poorly understood by senior management and elected members alike in local authorities. Since becoming involved in a campaign in Leicester, Making Music has developed expertise to support members in stopping damaging closures in the short term and has engaged with local authorities to find better medium- to long-term solutions for these valuable resources. In 2015 Making Music is planning for this work to intensify and become more pro-active and strategic.
• Leicester: Damaging proposal stopped; helped find political support for an alternative solution. • Buckinghamshire: Inter-library loans for music discontinued; local authority refuse to engage in dialogue. • Ealing Outsourcing of library services led to music lending
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being discontinued; Making Music ensured that the local authority insisted on contractual delivery with sub-contractor. • Nottingham: Commissioned to research and consult on development of performing arts library and feasability of regional hub on behalf of local authority. • Somerset Making Music consulted prior and during public consultation on award-winning library in Yeovil, leading to maintaining of service in the mediumterm and active engagement with the local authority in seeking longer-term solutions. • Other libraries where we have been involved: Sheffield; Manchester.
Funding You are only too painfully aware of its gradual erosion and amateur groups have been particularly hard hit by the drastic reduction in local authority support in recent years. Making Music continues to advocate with public bodies and elected representatives at all levels to ensure that the significance of amateur music groups for communities is understood. Making Music also offers fundraising training, resources and guidance to help you diversify your income streams and build financial resilience.
Music education Often having benefitted from musical immersion at a young age yourselves, you are not happy that today young people have fewer opportunities to develop musical ability and engage with music-making in a group. In 2014 Making Music therefore supported the Incorporated Society of Musicians's Protect Music Education campaign which achieved enhanced funding for music education hubs. Making Music also supported the Music Education Council which represents organisations with an interest in music education. Under the leadership of Chair Richard Hallam MBE, they have been actively canvassing opinions on relevant consultations and have successfully ensured that the voice of the sector is heard in the right legislative places (e.g. new GCSE and A-level curricula).
Southwark Children's Brass Band Š Tom Walker
Further advocacy and campaigns In 2014 Making Music supported the following campaigns:
Protect Music Education A campaign in defence of music education hubs funding.
50p for culture Led by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA)
Set up by a consortium of six leading UK arts trade organisations
Making Music engages on your behalf with others in the music and wider arts sectors. Thus we are an active member of the National Music Council, a network representing the voices of organisations across music and of the Cultural Campaigning Network, bringing together organisations from the whole arts sector. Making Music also chairs TONSIL, the network for organisations with an interest in singing which includes the Association of British Choral Directors, the British Association of Barbershop Singers (and LABBS, its female equivalent), British Choirs on the Net, British Gospel Arts, the Choir Schools Association, the International Federation for Choral Music, the National Association of Choirs, the Royal College of Organists, the Royal School of Church Music, Sing For Pleasure, the Voices Foundation, Young Choirs, and most recently the Big Big Sing, Voices Now, and Friday Afternoons.
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We also regularly talk to and partner with many other organisations including the Incorporated Society of Musicians; Music For All; the Music Publishers' Association; the Association of British Orchestras; the British Association of Songwriters Composers and Authors; Ty Cerdd; the English Folk Dance & Song Society; Music Mark; Contemporary Music for All; Voluntary Arts; the Sydney de Haan Research Centre for Arts & Health; Live Music Now!; the National Operatic and Dramatic Association; Youth Music; Sound Connections; ABRSM; Music Forum Wales; the National Alliance for Arts Health and Wellbeing, and others. More general networking and lobbying groups, such as chapters of the What Next? movement, are also attended by staff whenever possible, to ensure the amateur and community music sector’s voice is heard in all possible quarters
Belfast Music Society's Chamber Babies concert 2014 Š Paul Woods
About us
History
2014-16 business plan
Frederick Woodhouse of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and Sir George Dyson founded the National Federation of Music Societies (NFMS) on 23 February 1935, with the support of the Carnegie UK Trust. In 2000, the NFMS changed its name to Making Music. As well as supporting member organisations at a local level, Making Music has always maintained an important national presence through lobbying and hosting national events.
Vision Our vision is of communities enriched by flourishing amateur and community music groups offering opportunities for participation and engagement in music to all in their locality, transforming individual and community wellbeing.
Governance Making Music is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Its governing document, the Memorandum & Articles of Association, states its objective as: 'To maintain, improve and advance education by promoting the art and practice and public performance of music throughout the United Kingdom and in other countries.' It is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors, of which 9 are elected from and by the membership and up to 3 more who can be co-opted. The directors are also the trustees of the charity.
Mission Making Music’s mission is to support, develop, connect and champion its members and everyone who makes, performs and presents music on a voluntary basis. Objectives 1 To provide excellent membership services that enable music groups to develop and thrive, artistically and organisationally 2 To extend our membership in order to strengthen our voice, enable music groups to remain sustainable, and facilitate as many individuals as possible having access to musical participative opportunities 3 To represent amateur music at a local, national and UK-wide level to ensure it has the best possible conditions to flourish 4 To encourage more and new people to become involved in music so that more individuals and communities can experience and enjoy the benefits
Making Music plays a vital role in encouraging people of all ages to take up music, and in supporting music groups up and down the land. Without Making Music and its members, Britain would not be one of the most musical places in the world to live. They make our communities more harmonious, in every sense of the word. Howard Goodall, composer and broadcaster 16
Financial summary
Making Music’s accounts in 2014 comprised of income from unrestricted funds, mainly membership subscriptions, member services and core grant income, alongside restricted funds, mainly grants for specific projects and bank interest and royalties income from the Philip and Dorothy Green Music Trust, which supports the Award for Young Concert Artists.
Income
On the expenditure side, Making Music's costs – as with most membership organisations – are its staff, the provision of membership services and associated costs, marketing, and office costs. Below is a summary of the financial information for 2014. The full accounts can be found at www.makingmusic.org.uk/about-us.
£ £ 2014 2013
Core grant income
153,251
152,589
Membership subscriptions
353,034
346,698
Donations and legacies
170,084
32,924
36,909
37,586
Advertising and merchandising Investment income and interest
4,573
10,534
Grants, sponsorship and fees
84,336
183,109
Special events
21,123
19,015
Member services
40,718
37,005
Total
864,078 819,460
Expenditure
2014 2013
Costs of generating funds
19,159
29,208
Grants payable (AYCA)
3,600
360
Events Marketing Staff costs (unrestricted) Office costs
136,978 179,463
20,697 16,500 385,504
517,368
88,098
91,735
Other
15,910 26,125
Governance
35,928 37,076
Total
719,170 897,835
Net movements in funds for the year
144,908
(78,375) 17
Staff and board 2015
Board Chair
Peter Lawson
Vice Chair
Clare Birks
Honorary Treasurer
Peris Roberts
Directors
John Darker Chris Goodall Rod Grealish Quentin Maxwell-Jackson Ken Scott Glynne Stackhouse
Co-opted Director
Ruth Irons
Staff Executive Director
Barbara Eifler
Head of Finance
Workineh Asres
Membership and Services Manager
Ben Saffell
Projects and Membership Coordinator
Sally Palmer
Membership Events and Office Coordinator
Katie Calvert
Marketing and Communications Manager
Ollie Mustill
PR and Publications Manager
George Acock
Marketing, Communications and Sales Executive
Gabriella Sloss
IT Manager
Peter Uwhokori
Member Engagement Manager
Sharon Moloney
Manager, Scotland
Alicia Chapple
Manager, Wales
Abigail Charles
Member Engagement Coordinator
Laura Shipsey
AYCA Administrator
Alexandra Scott
Volunteers Making Music is fortunate in being supported by a large group of volunteers in a variety of roles. A heartfelt thank you to them from Making Music and its members for their help and contribution.
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Member group The Salomon Orchestra in the Classical Season at the O2, London Š Matt Alexander/PA Wire
Making Music The National Federation of Music Societies 8 Holyrood Street London SE1 2EL 020 7378 0497 info@makingmusic.org.uk www.makingmusic.org.uk Making Music is the trading name of the National Federation of Music Societies, a registered charity in England and Wales no. 249219 and in Scotland no. SC038849. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no. 308632. VAT registration no. 239 0186 63.