Everyone Deserves Music

If you have ever wondered how taking part in music making can help with the aging process then you can discover more when Sage Gateshead hosts its third annual Community Music (CM) Symposium on Monday 16 March.  Part of the venue’s annual Everyone Deserves Music Festival, this one day conference provides a great opportunity for those interested in music to join in a dialogue about participation in music, developments in music education in the last 10-15 years and to debate what the future may hold. Sage Gateshead’s very own team of ‘Silver Researchers’ will present the fascinating findings of their three-year research project, delivered in collaboration with Newcastle University's Social Inclusion through the Digital Economy (SiDE) project.  The group came together through a shared interest in understanding how, and in what ways, involvement in music participation and the Silver Programme in particular might help us to age better. Keynote speakers also include Katherine Zeserson (Sage Gateshead), Kathryn Deane (Sound Sense), and special guest Andrea Creech (Institute of Education), co-author of the recent critically acclaimed book, ‘Active Ageing with Music’ who will explore developments in music-making for the over-50s.   Professor Lee Higgins will also present a first glimpse of the new International Centre for Community Music in York (ICCM). Dave Camlin, Head of Higher Education and Research at Sage Gateshead said:  “The symposium is a rare opportunity to get together with other like-minded souls who are passionate about the power of music to transform lives, and share stories, get new ideas and be inspired. It’s a really exciting time for Community Music at the moment, and the Symposium is a great chance to find about what other people are up to, and what opportunities are out there.” Throughout April and May up-coming talent will be on show with an exciting programme of performances across the region from students from the BA (Hons) Community Music degree course, delivered by Sage Gateshead in partnership with University of Sunderland. Everyone Deserves Music 2015 Symposium is run in partnership with Sound Sense – the UK professional association promoting community music and supporting community musicians.  The event is a great chance to network with other practitioners and a very warm welcome awaits old hands and newcomers alike. Further information and tickets for the Symposium and Everyone Deserves Music Festival events go to www.sagegateshead.com