Creating music with others leads to a sense of communion and connection that is unique to music-making. This six-week course is aimed at people with some musical experience* who would like to develop skills and interests by embarking on a journey of co-creation with other like-minded folk.
We will:
explore creating and performing through inclusive community music activities
explore ways to develop musical ideas, focusing in particular on arranging and improvising
explore aspects of music such as melody, chords and harmony, basslines, rhythm and texture
explore aspects of making music together such as practising, rehearsing and performing,
explore aspects of creating and developing ideas through refining, crafting and sharing,
There will be technical assistance and guidance to stimulate, inspire and assist.
An Open Mic night will happen after the course and participants of this course will be welcome to share their music.
About this event:
Dates - 7.45-9.00pm every Monday (6 week course).
Mondays 8, 15, 22, 29 June; 6, 13 July
Price - £54 for 6 week course.
Location - Upstairs @ Open House. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before class to settle into the space.
Equipment - All instruments are provided.
Booking - Limited to 12 spots, to book your spot please click below.
*Please note: This course is for people with some previous musical experience. We imagine that you will know some chords and/or be able to navigate some scales on your instrument. If you are a beginner then please look for our “Discover” courses that will be taking place in the Autumn.
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Mark Bradshaw is a composer, songwriter and performer now living in the Hope Valley. Accomplished on guitar, piano and mbira, with sidelines in flute, marimba and percussion, he’s recorded and performed, and researched and taught all over the world.
In the UK, he was a member of Spirit Talk Mbira, and one half of the mighty Blissful Virtuous. In eSwatini, where he lived and taught for 10 years, he mentored and collaborated extensively with the country’s finest singer-songwriters, Bholoja and Velemseni. In Singapore, he headed up the acoustic quintet, Shumba ye Moyo. A new album with his current project, Mark Bradshaw and the Jackdaws, is due for release in late summer 2026.
A musician, teacher, curriculum writer and ethnomusicologist, he has 40 years experience of working with individuals, classes and groups in schools, colleges and beyond in the UK, Asia and Africa. He believes that music-making is a universal action, and something that has the power to bring us together for positive change. When we make music together, we express our humanity and make our world, however fleetingly, a better place. goes here
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Matt Laurie has worked as a community musician for over 25 years. He has made music with people from all walks of life in community centres, school, special needs services, care homes, mental health units in the UK and internationally. For Matt, music-making is a beautiful, ephemeral way for people to connect and create community.
Matt leads the Music as Medicine programme at Open House and is experienced at holding safe and inclusive space for people of any age, culture, gender and neurotype.