Preston Music Workshops
Music workshops for businesses, communities and schools in and around Preston
Preston Music Workshops works with Tony Rigg and the rest of the Preston Jazz & Improvisation Festival team to bring participatory activities to the city each year. See below for details of the 2025 activities.
2025 workshops
Dementia Awareness Singalong
Saturday 24 May, 10.15am-10.45am
Ingol Library, Ventnor Place, PR2 3YX
Jon Aveyard and members of the Blue Flamingo Singalong Choir perform some of their songs and give you the opportunity to sing along to many others as part of this Dementia Awareness Week activity. Free to attend.
Supported by Blue Flamingo.
Family drum circle
Saturday 24 May, 12.30pm-1.30pm
Catherine Beckett Centre, 112 Deepdale Road, PR1 5AR
In a gathering open to anyone regardless of age, ability or experience, we will use a wide variety of instruments to improvise percussion patterns. Free to attend.
Supported by the Catherine Beckett Centre.
Djembe workshops
Saturday 24 May, 2pm-3.30pm
Catherine Beckett Centre, 112 Deepdale Road, PR1 5AR
This participatory workshop, open to anyone regardless of ability or experience, will teach patterns for the djembe and other percussion instruments. Free to attend.
Supported by the Catherine Beckett Centre.
Preston People's Choir
Tuesday 27 May, 7pm-8.30pm
UCLan Media Factory room 226, Kirkham Street, PR1 1JN
Join members of the Preston People's Choir to learn simple songs in harmony. No music reading. Everyone welcome regardless of ability or experience. Free for first-time participants.
Supported by the Preston People's Choir.
Blue Flamingo Singalong Choir
Wednesday 28 May, 12pm-2pm
St Teresa's Social Centre, Queensway, Penwortham, PR1 0DS.
Join the regulars at the Blue Flamingo to sing songs, mainly from the 1960s and 1970s. Hot drinks and snacks provided from 12.30pm courtesy of the Blue Flamingo dementia cafe. Singing begins at 1pm. Free to attend.
Supported by Blue Flamingo.
Worldwise Samba Drummers
Wednesday 28 May, 6.15pm-815pm
UCLan Media Factory room 226, Kirkham Street, PR1 1JN
Have a go at samba drumming alongside members of the Worldwise Samba Drummers. Instruments provided. No previous experience required. Free for first-time participants.
Supported by the Worldwise Samba Drummers.
Ukuleles/Handbells/Recorders
Thursday 29 May, 7pm-8.30pm
St Bernard's community hub, Elswick Road, PR2 1NT
Bring your ukes, descant recorders and tenor recorders or use the provided handbells and learn some well-known pieces of music for this extraordinary ensemble. Basic music reading required. Free to attend.
Jubiloso
Friday 30 May, 10am-11am
Mandala, 18 Derby Street, PR1 1DT
Music-making open to anyone, delivered so as to be suitable for people with learning disabilities. Use provided percussion or bring your own instruments. (Any necessary support staff are required to attend.) Free to attend.
Illumination Community Choir
Friday 30 May, 12pm-1pm
Central Methodist Church, Lune Street, PR1 2NL
Join the Illumination regulars for some lunchtime singing. No music reading, all levels of ability welcome, delivered so as to be accessible for blind people. Free to attend.
Supported by Central Methodist Church.
Savick Family Samba Band
Friday 30 May, 6pm-7pm
St Bernard's community hub, Elswick Road, PR2 1NT
Learn simple samba patterns using instruments large and small. Open to anyone. Families particularly encouraged. Delivered so as to be accessible for people with hearing impairments. Free to attend.
Participants to many of these sessions will be invited to subsequently perform in Avenham Park, 11am-1pm on Saturday 31 May and/or at The Ferret, 8.30pm onwards on Wednesday 4 June.
Visit www.prestonjazzfest.org for details of the Preston Jazz & Improvisation Festival.
Photographs by Michael Porter
taken at the Preston Jazz & Improvisation Festival 2023.
