Brighton and Hove Music for Connection

16/06/2026

Two dates for your diary!

We have two wonderful, free open sessions coming up this July. Both are perfect for connecting, exploring, and trying something new. No previous experience is necessary for either event

🗓️ Thursday 16th July - Interactive Listening Quest

Time: 10:15am – 12:00pm

Location: Plot 22, Hove

What to expect: Join us for a playful and absorbing session where we use our ears to guide us. Just bring your curiosity!

Cost: Free for over 50s (small donation for under 50s)

Booking: Essential via Eventbrite https://us.list-manage.com/M6GP9Urba6X?e=aeeb9f11c0&c2id=9a8266cd6ee63a2eda840322b9c90c02

🗓️ Wednesday 22nd July - TNBI Over-50s Strings Jam Session

Time: 2:30pm – 4:00pm

Location: The Hanover Room, Brighthelm Centre (North Road, Brighton)

What to expect: A fun, supportive, and light-hearted session to explore cellos, violas, and violins together. Facilitated by Bela, August, and Victoria, the focus is entirely on playfulness and wellbeing - like a friendly campfire jam where every sound is welcome! Confident musicians and complete beginners are equally welcome, and instruments are provided

Who it's for: Open to anyone over 50 who identifies as trans, non-binary, or intersex. Run in partnership with The Clare Project

Booking: Free entry, but please book your spot here:

https://www.outsavvy.com/event/36620/tnbi-over-50s-strings-jam-session

12/06/2026

Indoor Garden Party!

Whether you’re looking to get involved or just curious to see what we do, this is a perfect chance to:

✨ Watch our brand-new film
✨ Try out interactive listening and tasters of the sessions we run
✨ Meet our lovely team and participants
✨ Enjoy live music from the Silver Strings community string band

…and of course, there will be cake!

📍 Where: Community Space, Jubilee Library
📅 When: Wednesday, 15th July
🕑 Time: Drop in anytime between 2pm-4pm

Everyone is welcome and it’s free to attend, just grab a ticket via the link below so we know how much cake to bring!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/indoor-garden-party-taster-sessions-new-video-cake-tickets-1991178018053

10/06/2026

Today is Age Without Limits Day 🌟

It’s a brilliant opportunity for us all to come together, start conversations, and take action to end ageism

Take a look at the conversation starters and a quiz (https://bit.ly/4vrGD51), or simply ask questions like:

At work: Where does the belief come from that someone can be ‘too experienced‘?

About appearance: Why do we say ‘you look good for your age‘? Why not just ‘you look good’?

With friends: Why do we judge others based on what generation they are a part of?

About capability: Where does the idea that you can‘t learn new things later in life come from?

We aren't hosting a special event for it this week, but as ever, you can find us bringing people together through music at Brooke Mead on Friday 12th June 🎶

Want to get involved, find conversation starters, or check out local events? Head over to the Age Without Limits resource page to learn more:
https://www.agewithoutlimits.org/

28/05/2026

Ever wanted to try a stringed instrument? Here's your chance!

Our next Silver Strings Open Session is happening next week, and we’d love to welcome you

Whether you’ve never held a bow before or haven’t played since school, this is a completely safe, lighthearted, and supportive space to explore music-making. No experience of any kind is needed, just curiosity and listening. We even provide the instruments

📅 When: Tuesday 2nd June, 9:30am – 11:30am
📍 Where: Brighthelm Centre (North Road), Brighton
🎟️ Cost: Free!

Come along, meet our wonderful players and try out a violin, viola, or cello. Playing together is great for the brain, brilliant for wellbeing, and a wonderful way to connect with others in the Brighton and Hove community

Booking is essential so we can make sure we have enough instruments ready for everyone - [email protected]

Silver Strings is Brighton & Hove's very own later-starter community string band, focusing on enjoyment, connection, and inclusive music-making

27/05/2026

We're thrilled to be offering our next all-abilities 50+ Strings Jam in partnership with The Clare Project. The session is open to anyone over 50 who identifies as trans, non-binary, or intersex, and is free to attend, thanks to Awards For All.

Wednesday 22nd July, 2:30-4pm, Brighthelm Centre - no experience necessary & all instruments (cellos, violas, violins) are provided!

Booking essential:

We're delighted to announce this free session at The Brighthelm Centre, on Wednesday 22nd July, 2:30-4:00pm. This session is open to anyone over 50 who identifies as trans, non-binary or intersex and is run in partnership with The Clare Project (facilitators August and Victoria will be there). The l...

22/05/2026

🎥 SAVE THE DATE: new video launch event! 🎥

Some exciting news - we’ve been working with filmmaker Sarah West Westcreative to capture the essence of what we do, here at Music for Connection, including some wonderful interviews with our team and participants

We're launching the short film this summer, and we'd love you to see it

🎬Wednesday, 15th July (afternoon)
🎬Jubilee Library, Brighton

There'll be the chance for some interactive fun too: a mindful listening activity and some singing together!

Whether you already know our work or just want to find out more about what Music for Connection does, in the Brighton and Hove community, we would love to see you there

Pop the date in your diary now, and we'll share final timings and booking details in the coming weeks

13/05/2026

🪇A way to shake off the mid-week rust! In exactly two weeks, you can trade your "to-do" list for a tambourine (or any instrument you fancy!)🪗

Permission to Play is an afternoon musical jam specifically for those age 50+. Whether you’re a seasoned player or haven't touched an instrument since school, there's no pressure: strictly low-pressure and high-energy.

🪇When: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
🪗Time: 12-1pm
🪇Where: Brighthelm Centre
🪗Who: All abilities welcome. If you can make a sound, you’re in!

This is a space to experiment, make some noise, and meet people who don’t take themselves too seriously. No ego, no perfectionism, just a collective "permission to play"

https://bit.ly/4f6dW8O

08/05/2026

🌸Music for Connection - May Update 🌸

While our regular monthly gathering at Jubilee Library is taking a break this month, our calendar is still full of lovely opportunities to pick up an instrument, find your voice, and connect with others across Brighton and Hove

If you’re looking to make some music this month, here is what’s coming up:

Silver Strings Open Session | Tuesday, May 5th (9:30 am – 11:30 am)
Hosted at the Brighthelm Centre, this is your chance to try a stringed instrument and play alongside a friendly, welcoming group. Perfect if you've been curious about strings but don't know where to start. Note: Booking is essential

Sing and Play Music Club | Every Friday (11:30 am – 12:30 pm)
We meet weekly at Brooke Mead (Albion Street) for a playful session designed specifically for older adults. It’s a relaxed space where the focus is entirely on the joy of the music

Permission to Play | Wednesday, May 27th (12:00 pm – 1:00 pm)
An all-abilities, freeform jam session at It’s exactly what it sounds like: a space to experiment and play without pressure. Tickets https://bit.ly/4f6dW8O

Looking Ahead
Mark your calendars for our return to Jubilee Library on Monday, June 29th (11:30 am). Our Music and Motion sessions will resume then, focusing on voice and movement in a fun, relaxed environment. Designed for people with age-related cognitive challenges (inc. dementia) – last Monday of every month

Whether you're a regular or joining us for the first time, we look forward to seeing you at one of our other venues this month!

06/05/2026

Last week at Silver Strings, we stepped away from our usual 'tunes' to explore music through a more mindful lens. We broke into three small groups to collaborate on original compositions inspired by nature

Players of all levels worked side-by-side, shifting the focus from shared creativity and active listening

Each group featured a variety of instruments, encouraging us to find new ways to blend our sounds

One group composed a piece inspired by hippos and dolphins, and challenged the rest of us to listen closely and 'guess the creatures'! Thanks to all who took part - it was a lovely reminder of the joy of simply trying something new together

30/04/2026

Have you ever watched a cellist or a violinist and thought, "I wish I’d learned to do that"? If that curiosity is there, here's the perfect opportunity to see where it leads

Whether you haven’t touched an instrument since school or you’ve never even held a bow, we'd love to invite you to a morning of music-making that’s all about community, not perfection

🎻Tuesday, May 5th
🎻9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
🎻Brighthelm Centre (North Road), Brighton

Silver Strings group is a later-starter community band designed specifically for those looking to try something new in a lighthearted, safe, and supportive environment

No Instrument? No Problem: We provide the violins, violas, and cellos. Just bring yourself!

Complete beginners welcome - most of our regular players started exactly where you are, as complete beginners or "returners" who hadn't played in decades

These sessions are free, but booking is essential so we can make sure we have an instrument ready for you [email protected]