Music for Change

22/08/2024

PRESS RELEASE

RE Closure of Music For Change, pioneering Canterbury-based inclusion and diversity charity

After 27-years of pioneering music-based projects with a focus on inclusion and diversity, the trustees of the Canterbury-based charity Music for Change announce their difficult decision to cease activity at the end of August 2024, following which the organisation will close.

Led by a small, dedicated operations team and an outstanding group of artists, Music for Change has played a significant role in raising the profile of cross-cultural understanding through wider music participation in Canterbury, Kent and beyond.

In recent times the third sector has been operating in a very challenging financial climate with rising costs, the impact of austerity cuts and increased competition for funding all taking their toll.

Many organisations, particularly in the arts, are finding it very difficult or impossible to survive, and it is with great sadness that Music for Change will join their ranks.

The Trustees would firstly like to thank all the schools, venues, community groups and partner organisations with whom we have worked and all the individuals who have taken part in and enjoyed our events, projects and activities.

We also thank our generous funders both large and small, our previous employees, and our many partners and volunteers. Above all though, we thank the dedicated Music for Change team which has kept the organisation alive under increasingly difficult circumstances, along with the incredible group of artists it has been our pleasure to work with and know. They have all played a part in bringing positive and lasting change to so many peoples’ lives, and their contributions will not be forgotten.

Looking to the future, in this easily-divided world we hope the work of Music for Change will continue under a new banner, with a fresh lease of life. A new approach is in development to allow for the continuation of the impactful work of this important organisation. Please visit our website for details on prospective future ventures.

There will be a small celebration of the work of Music for Change as part of Boing! 2024 at the University of Kent, Canterbury on Saturday, August 24th. With an exciting programme of performances and workshops, we will take the opportunity to mark this sad ending while celebrating the many achievements of the charity and all those involved with it over the last 27 years. All are welcome to join us, share a memory and raise a glass (of juice!) to the lasting legacy of Music for Change.

We would like to extend our thanks to The Martello Fund, Hilary Adams Accountants and Canterbury City Council for their support in this period.

For any queries please contact - [email protected]

17/08/2024

This Saturday 24th August we will be returning to Boing International Family Festival Gulbenkian Arts Centre University of Kent with our Global Sounds stage! Free live music and workshops from 10.45am - 3.45pm. Check out the line-up below:
10.45am - 11.30am: Dallaway Steel Band performance
11.45am - 12.30pm: steel pan workshop
12.30pm - 2pm: Grupo Lokito Congolese dance workshop & performance
2pm - 2.45pm: West African drumming workshop - George Fiawoo & Martin Hanson
3pm - 3.10pm: Chinese ribbon dance performance - Ling
3.15pm - 3.45pm: Chinese ribbon dance workshop - Ling
We look forward to seeing you there!

27/08/2023

Join us today at Boing International Family Festival at the University of Kent at Canterbury! Don't miss Music for Change's celebration of Indian culture:
10-10:30 Indian Dance Workshop
11:00-11:45 Cohesion Plus Bhangra Fusion with an interactive Bhangra dance and Dhol drumming performance.
13:00-14:15 The incredible Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band with a workshop, followed by performance

02/09/2022

Thank you to all our artists (Ling, dat Brass, Emmanuel The Magnificent, Saidi Kanda & Mvula Mandondo, George Fiawoo, Faith i Branko, Beeja, Musa Mboob & XamXam) for their fantastic performances and workshops at our Global Sounds stage at Boing International Family Festival and to the wonderful audiences! Thanks also to our hosts and all the staff at Gulbenkian Arts Centre for making it such a fun festival to be part of!

24/08/2022

***Global Sounds line-up***
Introducing the acts for our line-up for this weekend's Global Sounds stage at Boing International Family Festival at Gulbenkian Arts Centre - click on the pictures to find out more about each act.
Saturday 27 August
10.00 – 10.30 – Saidi Kanda & Mvula Mandondo
10.40 – 11.15 – Ling – Chinese ribbon dance performance & workshop
11.35 – 12.15 – dat Brass
12.55 – 13.40 – Emmanuel The Magnificent & The UK African Acrobats - Performance & Circus skills workshop
14:00 – 14:30 – Saidi Kanda & Mvula Mandondo
Sunday 28 August
10.00 – 10.30 – Musa Mboob & XamXam
10.40 – 11.15 – George Fiawoo – West African drumming workshop
11.35 – 12.15 – Faith i Branko
12.55 – 13.40 – Beeja - Indian dancing performance & workshop
14:00 – 14:30 – Musa Mboob & XamXam

23/08/2022

This weekend we will be returning to Boing International Family Festival at Gulbenkian Arts Centre with our Global Sounds stage on Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 August. Our stage is completely free to listen to a variety of music from around the world and join in with a range of workshops on each day. Check out the line-up below:
Saturday 27 August
10.00 – 10.30 – Saidi Kanda & Mvula Mandondo
10.40 – 11.15 – Ling – Chinese ribbon dance performance & workshop
11.35 – 12.15 – dat Brass
12.55 – 13.40 – Emmanuel The Magnificent & The UK African Acrobats - Performance & Circus skills workshop
14:00 – 14:30 – Saidi Kanda & Mvula Mandondo
Sunday 28 August
10.00 – 10.30 – Musa Mboob & XamXam
10.40 – 11.15 – George Fiawoo – West African drumming workshop
11.35 – 12.15 – Faith i Branko
12.55 – 13.40 – Beeja - Indian dancing performance & workshop
14:00 – 14:30 – Musa Mboob & XamXam
We hope to see you there!

Music for Change have created a brilliant line up for all ages on our Global Sounds stage at the Cathedral Meadow.