Live Music Now

Are you an educator, parent, carer, musician, or involved in supporting autistic learners through a school, charity or organisation?
Do you have lived experience of autism and/or an interest in music education? 🎶💛

Join Live Music Now and University of South Wales at The MAC, Belfast for ‘From Research to Practice: Music Access for Autistic Learners in Northern Ireland’.

This free networking event will share early insights from the AHRC-funded ‘Musical Connections’ project exploring how access to high-quality music-making can be expanded for autistic children and young people in Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools (SPiMs).

Together we will share:
-Key learning from residencies in Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools (SPiMs)
-What enables—and limits—access to meaningful music experiences
-Early insights shaping our upcoming toolkit for schools and policy briefing
-Panel discussion with perspectives from practice, research, and lived experience

📅 Tuesday 16th June 2026, 10am-1pm
📍 The MAC, Belfast
🔗 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-research-to-practice-music-access-for-autistic-learners-in-ni-tickets-1988409238559?aff=oddtdtcreator

We’d love to bring together a wide range of voices and perspectives for this important conversation and would be delighted if you could join us or help spread the word by sharing with your networks.

If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]

This project is supported by the University of Southampton's Centre for Music Education and Social Justice and delivered with researchers Dr Beth Pickard (University of South Wales) and Alex Lupo (Live Music Now)

Join us at Eglinton Community Hall for a morning of music, scones and connection with musicians Anna Nolan and Rohan Armstrong ☕✨

We're delighted to welcome the duo to Eglinton Community Hall on Thursday 4 June for our next intergenerational Songs & Scones concert. Together, they perform a rich mix of Jazz, Gospel, Soul, Folk and Roots music.

📍 Eglinton Community Hall
🗓 Thursday 4 June
🕙 10am–11.30am

This event is free to attend thanks to funding from Apex Housing Association.

Book your free place by texting: 07759 502327
Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment!

We can’t wait to see you there 🎶

Photographs courtesy of Stephen Latimer Photography, taken at our most recent Songs & Scones concert with musicians Conor Lamb and Deirdre Galway.

Join us on Wed 3 June, 3.45 – 5pm for a free online seminar sharing early insights from the AHRC-funded Musical Connections project, exploring how access to high-quality music-making can be expanded for autistic children and young people in Autism Resource Bases.

Delivered in partnership with Gwasanaeth Cerdd Cenedlaethol Cymru/National Music Service Wales researchers Dr Beth Pickard (University of South Wales) and Alex Lupo (Live Music Now) this session brings together research, practice, and policy to explore music as an issue of equity and entitlement—and what needs to happen next across Wales.

We will share:
- Key learning from residencies in ARBs
- What enables—and limits—access to meaningful music experiences
- Early insights shaping our upcoming toolkit for schools and policy briefing
- Panel discussion with perspectives from practice, research, and lived experience

Register now (http://tr.ee/JzHgke) to be part of the conversation on how equitable access to music can be realised for autistic learners in Wales.

This project is supported by the University of Southampton's Centre for Music Education and Social Justice.

We recently checked back in with the parents from our Essex Lullaby Intervention. We knew the songs were beautiful, but we were moved to hear how they’ve become a part of the family fabric.

From "kitchen dance parties" to soothing babies during night feeds, these tracks are much more than just music - they are "living memories" that parents will cherish forever.

Read the full update here: https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/essex-lullaby-intervention/

We’re delighted that three Live Music Now musicians — Thomas Harvey (Singer-Songwriter), Anwen Mai‑Thomas (Harpist) and Kristiina Watt (Lute & Soprano) — will be performing at In Rhythm, a special fundraising concert in support of patient care at Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals.

Taking place at St Luke's Church, Chelsea this Thursday, the evening is presented in partnership with rb&hArts and celebrates the hospital’s specialist arts programme. It showcases the powerful role music plays in bringing calm, connection and hope to patients, families, staff and visitors.

If you’re able to attend, support, or help spread the word, please do. Every ticket helps keep art and music at the heart of patient care. 💙

📢 1 WEEK LEFT TO APPLY! 📢
We are looking for a Project Manager to deliver music projects in Education, Health, and Place across Wales.

Key responsibilities include:
📆 Project management
💸 Fundraising
📝 Administration
💵 Finance
🗣 Marketing & communications
🎸 Musicians' management

📅 Deadline to apply: 12pm (noon) Monday 18th May 2026
📍 Cardiff
👉 https://shorturl.at/Ja8bk

Don’t miss your chance to join our team and help bring music to those who need it most!

Rydym yn recriwtio ar gyfer dwy swydd Reolwr Prosiect; un i arwain gwaith mewn lleoliadau Gofal Cymdeithasol a Gofal Iechyd Oedolion. Y llall yw arwain gwaith gyda Phlant a Phobl Ifanc.

📆 Rheoli prosiect
💸 Codi a***n
📝 Gweinyddu
💵 Gwaith a***nnol
🗣 Cyfathrebu& marchnata
🎸 Rheoli cerddorion

📅Dyddiad cau i wneud cais: 12 yp (canol dydd) ar ddydd Llun 18 Mai 2026.
📍 Caerdydd
👉 https://shorturl.at/Ja8bk

It’s been two weeks since Chris Avery got on his Brompton and cycled his way across Cornwall. On his eco-conscious tour of the county, he visited special schools in Bodmin, St Austell and St Blazey.

The children sang, danced and suggested songs to play. Some even gave Chris a run for his money and conducted the changes! Here are some photos and quotes from his session at Beacon Academy.

“Chris was extremely patient and showed a great understanding of the children’s needs and how to engage them with the music. The children interacted with Chris, and each other, to discuss songs they wanted to hear. They engaged and concentrated for a sustained period of time, and thoroughly enjoyed the concert.”

- ARB Lead, Beacon Academy

The school concerts have been made possible with support from the Clare Milne Trust.

🎶 The sound of jazz is still ringing out in classrooms across Derry & Strabane 🎷

Thanks to Live Music Now NI’s recent partnership with the City of Derry Jazz Festival , our schools education programme reached over 7000 local pupils who experienced the joy of live jazz this year - many for the very first time!

From interactive workshops to live-streamed concerts, it’s been all about creativity, confidence, and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

You can read more about it here: https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/jazz-in-the-classroom-live-music-now-brings-the-sound-of-the-festival-to-schools-across-derry/

Now it’s your turn!…
Get out and soak up the atmosphere at the City of Derry Jazz Festival 2026 this bank holiday weekend - live music, great vibes, and something for everyone across Derry City!

🎶 Songs and Scones is back at Eglinton Community Centre with traditional Irish duo Conor Lamb and Deirdre Galway! 🎶

Join us for a relaxed morning of beautiful live trad music, warm conversation and delicious scones – the perfect treat, and completely free! ☕

We’re delighted to welcome Conor and Deirdre to this month's Live Music Now Intergenerational Songs & Scones Concert at Eglinton Community Hall on Thursday 7th May from 10.00am – 11.30am.

The special event is kindly funded by Apex Housing Association and brings generations together to share music and community.

📱 Book your space by texting: 07759502327

⚠️ Spaces book up fast, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment!

We can’t wait to see you there! 🎻✨
Eglinton Community Pre-School