Preston Music Workshops
Music workshops for businesses, communities and schools in and around Preston
Community music workshops
I welcome approaches from organisations wanting someone to provide music content, existing groups in need of a new leader, or people who would like to set up a new group. Current groups are listed below (details correct at time of publication).
For more details, email Jon Aveyard.
Preston Scratch Band. Open to anyone regardless of ability or experience, we meet to sing and play pop songs from music books. Occasional Saturdays, 12.30pm-2.30pm in The Ferret, 55 Fylde Road, PR1 2XQ. £5 per session.
Cottam Ukuleles. With guidance on playing provided, we learn by playing well known songs using easy chords with those who want to singing along as well. Mondays, 12pm-1pm in Cottam Community Centre, Haydocks Lane, PR4 0NY. £5 per session.
Preston Handbell Ensemble. Learning simple patterns and pieces on provided handbells. Open to anyone regardless of ability or experience. Mondays, 1pm-2pm in Cottam Community Centre, Haydocks Lane, PR4 0NY. £5 per session.
The Good Day Sunshine Recorder Group. Playing three-part arrangements of Beatles songs with very simple harmony parts for beginners and more complicated parts for more experienced players. Mondays, 2pm-3pm in Cottam Community Centre, Haydocks Lane, PR4 0NY. £5 per session.
Jubiloso. This group is aimed in particular at people with learning disabilities. We use simple instructions to bring about communal music-making using tambourines, shakers, chimes and other instruments. Carers/support/family etc. are welcome to take part in the sessions if they choose to. Fridays, 10am-11am in The Mandala Centre, 18 Derby Street, Preston, PR1 1DT. £5 per session.
Galloways Choir. This group sings simple songs, in unison and in harmony, sometimes a cappella and sometimes accompanied. The group is open to anyone but is delivered to be accessible to those who are blind. No auditions, no music notation, no previous experience required. Fridays, 12pm-1pm in Preston Central Methodist Church, Lune Street, PR1 2NL. Currently free thanks to the Galloways Society for the Blind and the Central Methodist Church.
Worldwise Samba Drummers. I am employed by this community group who meet to learn high energy Afro-Brazilian percussion pieces. Open to anyone regardless of ability or experience. Wednesdays, 6.15pm-8.15pm in the UCLan Media Factory, Kirkham Street off Fylde Road, Preston. First time free then £5 per session (£3 concessions).
The Blue Flamingo Cafe. I am very pleased to be providing musical activities at these free, dementia-friendly events. The sessions run most Tuesdays 1pm-3pm at St Michael's Church on Egerton Road; I am typically there on the third Tuesday of each month.
The Green Choir. Occasional gatherings amongst the trees and reedbeds of Dobcroft nature reserve, 49 Whitby Avenue, Ingol, PR2 3YP in which we learn simple unaccompanied songs about nature.
Music Box. Occasional events which bring together adults in fun music-making activities such as boomwhackers, body percussion, song baths and more.
The Preston Jazz & Improvisation Festival. For the past few years, I am grateful to have been supported by Tony Rigg and the rest of the Preston Jazz & Improvisation Festival team in providing participatory music workshops at the UCLan Media Factory and at Soundskills leading to public performances at The Ferret and Avenham Park. Follow this link to find out more.