Welcome to the links section

Some websites that are useful to anyone interested in amateur music are given below.

Gerontius is a mine of information. First it lists all choirs who have registered (free) with the site and enables them to post details of their future concerts. Within the region it covers Brighton, Canterbury, Chichester, Guildford, Medway, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Reading (plus Basingstoke), Redhill, Slough, Southampton, Tonbridge and their environs. Other things that are available include an important database of music for hire and a lengthy list of links to other websites. www.gerontius.net

Royal School of Church Music (Oxfordshire).  This regional site is of interest to anyone involved in church music as the School as a whole runs courses for organists, choirs, choir trainers and other church musicians.  The website gives links to similar organisations, church choirs, sources of church music, organists, organ builders and recording companies. www.rscm-oxford.org.uk

Making Music. This is the website published by Making Music Central Office which details the central services, assistance and training provided as well as a list of staff and their responsibilities. It also has links to the other regional websites. www.MakingMusic.org.uk

Contemporary Music-making for Amateurs enables amateur musicians of all abilities to take part in contemporary music by arranging activities throughout the country. It also maintains a unique library of suitable works and commissions new works. www.coma.org

The Society for the Promotion of New Music furthers the cause of new music in Britain by selecting new works and composers for promotion and by giving series of concerts, workshops, seminars and lectures. Details of these are given on the website.www.spnm.org.uk

Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health. The primary aim of the centre is to promote the value of music and the arts for the wellbeing and health of individuals and communities.  It was established by Canterbury Christ Church University in 2004 as a joint initiative of the faculties of Health and Social Care and of Arts and Humanities.   It has collaborated with Making Music South East in the establishment of 'Silver Song Clubs' to enable musician volunteers to come together with groups of elderly people and encourage them in singing and music making. www.canterbury.ac.uk/centres/sidney-de-haan-research/