Live Music Now

13/10/2026

The final episode of the Shared Notes podcast is out now! 📻

Tune in via your favourite podcast app to hear Dr Beth Pickard and Alex Lupo discuss some of the themes that emerged from their data analysis. Beth and Alex reflect on how transformative it could be in specialist provisions to position young people as experts in their own lived experience. They argue that failing to value this has major consequences across students’ education, shaping how they experience learning day-to-day and ultimately influencing the outlook and direction they carry into adulthood.

Click the link in our bio or head to https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/autism-resource-bases-music-programme/ to find out more about our Musical Connections project and work with autistic learners across inclusion bases in the UK.

08/10/2026

🌟We’re hiring! 🌟
Live Music Now Northern Ireland is recruiting a Project Manager to help deliver inspiring music projects across NI. If you’re someone who thrives on organising, connecting people, and bringing creative projects to life, this role is for you.

💷 Salary: £30,000
🕒 Full‑time or 4‑day option
📍 Home‑working in NI with travel
🗓 Deadline: 12 noon, Monday 26 October

Find out more + apply:
https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/were-hiring-project-manager-northern-ireland-2/

Live Music Now is looking for a Project Manager based in Northern Ireland.

05/10/2026

⏳One week left to apply!⏳
As we approach our 50th anniversary, we’re seeking an experienced, strategic leader to guide the organisation into its next chapter.

If you’re passionate about music, wellbeing and making a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you!

⏰Applications close Monday 12 October, 9am
👉Find out more and apply: https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/jobs-and-opportunities/

28/09/2026

Today we look back on our Inspire Level 1 project at Sir Charles Parsons School in Newcastle upon Tyne, generously funded by the Sir James Knott Trust.

Last autumn, Live Music Now musicians Dave Gray, Ceitidh Mac and Sam Partridge visited the school to deliver a three-day project for pupils with learning disabilities. The team worked with three classes, engaging the pupils in a series of creative music-making sessions. The project supported children’s musical, personal and social development through exploring and creating music in small groups using classroom instruments, accessible digital instruments and voices.

We received extremely positive feedback and are delighted to say that Ceitidh Mac will be returning to the school this week for a one-off participatory concert.

“Ceitidh had a beautiful gentle way with our children and she really managed to fill the room with great energy. She made the adults buy into what she was doing and this supported the children’s engagement.” – Teacher

24/09/2026

🎶🏃‍♂️ Join Live Music Now at the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2027! 🏃‍♀️🎶

Whether you're a seasoned runner or taking on your first half marathon, join our team and help raise funds to bring the benefits of live music to those who need it most.

You’ll join over 18,000 runners at the start on Pall Mall and run past fabulous views of London’s most iconic landmarks including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Nelson’s Column, the Tower of London and the London Eye before finishing by Downing Street.

📅 Event Date: 4th April 2027
📍 Location: Central London
❤️ Fundraising Target: £350

Funds raised will help connect our professional musicians with people experiencing social exclusion or disadvantage, working together to create engaging live music sessions that meaningfully enhance health and well-being and deliver positive effects long after the last note has been played.

Why Run for Live Music Now?

🏅 Get a branded Live Music Now running top, fundraising materials and advice to help you smash your fundraising goal

🎷 You’ll have personalised musical accompaniment on the day from our talented musicians performing at the Live Music Now cheer point along the route

💪 Join a supportive team

🎉 Experience an unforgettable race

🎵 Support live music initiatives

Sign up here: https://ow.ly/Nv3m50ZQWZs

Places are open to everyone, so if you have a friend or family member who would like to take part, please feel free to forward this on to them!

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to run for a great cause. Sign up today! 🎶🏃‍♀️

Visit the London Landmarks Half Marathon website to find out more about the race.

21/09/2026

🚨We're Hiring!🚨
👉 50th Anniversary Director

Live Music Now was founded in 1977 by Yehudi Menuhin and Sir Ian Stoutzker on a conviction that has remained steadfast: that everyone has the right to a musical life, and that those who would benefit most from the power of live music often have the least access to it.

The 50th Anniversary Director will lead our Anniversary campaign: building the major donor and corporate relationships to deliver a £1 million campaign, driving broader sector change and leaving behind a philanthropic base that outlasts the anniversary year and leading the programme of activities across the year and beyond.

Are you someone who is excited to create a lasting legacy and impact?
Read the full job description and person specification on our website:
https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/were-hiring-50th-anniversary-director/

To apply please upload your CV and a covering letter outlining your knowledge and experience to this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/50thAnniversaryDirector

⏰ Deadline to apply: 9am, Monday 12 October 2026

21/09/2026

Made the BBC News this morning! 🥹📺🎶

Following on from my post about being recognised at Southmead Hospital as ‘The Music Lady’, I’m so excited to share that the BBC caught word and interviewed me about bringing live music into hospitals. ❤️

It means so much to see this side of my music career being shared so widely. Promoting the positive connection between music, wellbeing and community is something I care deeply about, and I’m so grateful to see it being given a spotlight.

A huge thank you to everyone who has seen the article today and reached out with such touching words your messages have meant so much. 💙

Check out the full article via the comments link below!

I’m incredibly proud to work with Live Music Now helping bring live music into schools, hospitals and settings of care across the UK, and hugely grateful for the opportunity to become a Music Facilitator through Bristol Beacon and to be involved in the wonderful, impactful work they do. 🎶💙

17/09/2026

Our friends at the International Music & Dementia Advocacy Coalition (IMDAC) are running a webinar on 23 September 2026 on the role of music in the future of dementia care.

This global gathering will focus on three key themes: influencing systems and policy, sharing evidence and lived experiences, and highlighting practical music-based programs for care settings worldwide.

It will take place at 2pm GMT | 6am PST | 7:30pm IST | 3pm CET | 10pm CST | 11pm JST

It is a free event and you can sign up at:
https://imdac2030.org/events/the-first-imdac-global-forum

You can also join the growing international movement around the cause of ensuring that everyone with dementia has access to music everywhere by signing up to the IMDAC manifesto at www.imdac2030.org




The lead image shows Hannah Murray performing a participatory concert in Edgcumbe Day Centre. This programme of events included weekly group and individual as well as ambient music sessions for older people living with dementia.

Photo Credit: James Ward

18/08/2026

Every autistic child or young person deserves to experience the transformational benefits of music. It’s a curriculum entitlement; builds confidence and wellbeing; and can be a great tool developing communication skills.

But currently many don’t get the same access to music in schools as their peers.

We’ve developed resources to help change that, following a year of research with autistic pupils, autistic musicians, and educators.

Click the link below to:
- Watch the film
- Download the free, practical guide for anyone working with autistic children and young people in Autism Resource Bases (ARBs) – and beyond
- Read the policy briefings

https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/autism-resource-bases-music-programme/
Please share with any colleagues who you think will find it useful.

17/08/2026

Live Music Now was delighted to take part in the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Arts in Mind Showcase at The MAC Belfast last month, bringing together organisations from across Northern Ireland to celebrate the role of the arts in supporting mental health and wellbeing. 💛

As part of the programme, Live Music Now musician Gary Day (Garden of Music) joined Michelle Bradley from The Parent Rooms to share the story of the Lullaby Project – the first programme of its kind in Northern Ireland. The Henry Girls also performed a selection of beautiful and moving lullabies.

You can watch the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s short film from the showcase featuring the Lullaby Project and hear more about the project, including listening to the final lullabies from the first NI cohort in our latest news story here: https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/celebrating-northern-irelands-first-lullaby-project/

The Lullaby Project has been made possible through funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Baring Foundation through the Arts and Mental Health Partnership Programme, alongside support from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.