Brighton and Hove Music for Connection

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Brighton and Hove Music for Connection

Welcome to Music for Connection, Brighton & Hove’s specialist community music service for adults of all abilities.

We wish to contribute to a society in which everyone can connect through music-making: accessing, playing, and enjoying music together, regardless of economic circumstances, ability or needs, age, social status or previous musical experience.

21/10/2025

✏️ Feedback is in... ✏️

We asked our Silver Strings participants why they keep coming back, and their answers were really inspiring. It's not just about playing an instrument, it's about finding joy, community, and continuous growth

Here’s what our members are learning, gaining, and developing:

1. The Joy of Skill & Growth:

“I’m learning to play a violin, to read music and to perform to audiences. The skills I’ve learnt have been enormously helpful in keeping my mind active, as bowing, fi*****ng and reading music are very complex skills!”

“I now have a regular cello lessons and I am in a community orchestra—something I’d never have imagined before joining!”

2. Connection & Community:

“I particularly like meeting people who are outside my usual friendship networks. The sessions are engrossing, supportive, challenging and hugely rewarding”

“It’s incredibly good for my well-being. I’ve been surprised by the beneficial effects both emotionally and intellectually”

3. The Magic of the Sessions

Participants say that sessions are engrossing, supportive, and challenging, with a variety of music. "Bela is extremely skilled at tailoring the sessions to everyone’s differing abilities, and ensuring everyone feels included"

Ready to join us? Find out more about joining Silver Strings and other Brighton and Hove Music for Connection (BHMfC) projects:

📧 hello@musicforconnection.co.uk
📞 01273 569096
🌐 www.musicforconnection.co.uk

17/10/2025

A wonderful Silver Strings session, this week. The air was buzzing with concentration, but also a quiet sense of joy. We had fun with pizzicato...!

14/10/2025

Making music together at the heart of the community in Jubilee Library creates moments of magic. At our most recent dementia-friendly session, several very young library users and their parents saw us and came over, bringing delight to us all! As we sang and played music by Ivor Novello and songs about beehives, some teenagers dropped in and asked to join in as a break from their studies – and so we all found ourselves singing a Beatles and Oasis medley together. It was a very special moment for everyone

At Jubilee, library users listen from a distance and move closer as a choice in the moment. People don't need to open a door to choose to enter, they can engage at the distance that is comfortable for them. People pause and smile, linger to listen, stop and tap their feet, stay to sing a little, sit nearby quietly singing along or tapping their feet and join the circle to become part of the session. This brings connections between people who perhaps may not have shared some of the morning together otherwise. The youngest member of the group in a pushchair reaches their shaker out to the oldest group member, to tap their shakers together along with the song. Music really does have the power to create communities and connections

Our project was made possible thanks to players

11/10/2025

Brooke Mead Extra Care Housing is one of the many places in Brighton and Hove where we witness evidence that music is so much more than entertainment—it’s a lifeline

For those living with dementia and other support needs, and for the incredibly dedicated carers and companions alongside them, our specialised "Music for Connection" sessions are vital

Why it Matters:

Triggering Memories: familiar songs can break through memory barriers, generating conversations and moments of precious connection

Empathy and Support: sessions create a dementia-friendly space that is supportive, joyful, and inclusive for everyone

Beyond Isolation: by focusing on shared musical expression, we build community, reduce isolation, and see marked positive differences in communication and mobility

Join the Connection! If you know someone living with dementia, or if you're a carer looking for a welcoming space, there are opportunities to get involved:

Monday, October 27th (or the final Monday of every month) 11.15am-12.15pm. Music in Motion at Jubilee Library, central Brighton

Weekly Fridays 11.30am-12.30pm: Sing and Play, Brooke Mead Extra Care Scheme (Albion Street). Upcoming Dates : 17th, 24th 31st October

Advance booking is preferred: hello@musicforconnection.co.uk

06/10/2025

Today was an interesting reminder of how much deeper connection goes, when we step into someone else's rhythm!

Our group took a moment to try out each other's instruments, Even within the same family of instruments (strings), the difference in sounds and tones was surprising

It wasn't just about the notes, it was about feeling the vibration of another person's musical instrument, to give a different perspective. A lovely lesson in community, empathy, and listening with more than just our ears

01/10/2025

Today, October 1st, marks the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, a moment to reflect on the invaluable contributions, wisdom, and dignity of our older community members in Brighton & Hove and across the world

At Music for Connection, we are deeply committed to fostering spaces—such as our Silver Strings later-starter string band and our specialized wellbeing sessions—where music acts as a universal tool for connection, learning, and joy, regardless of age or experience

We believe passionately in the power of music-making to enhance quality of life and combat isolation. Today, we send our gratitude and appreciation to all older people, especially those who enrich our sessions with their presence and musical contributions. Your participation is at the heart of what we do...

29/09/2025

🎻 Playing and listening together, for fun and self-expression 🎻

Join our all-abilities adults' bowed strings jam for a fun but thoughtful session, focused on playing and listening together

No need to read music! If you don't have an instrument, we have violins, violas, and cellos you can use

Event Details:
🗓️ Date: Thursday, October 9
⏰ Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm GMT+1
📍 Location: Brighthelm Centre, Brighton

Find details and secure your spot here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/all-abilities-adults-bowed-strings-jam-tickets-1693970755129

25/09/2025

We're really inspired by the journey of one of our newest Silver Strings members, who came to us through one of our NHS Strings for Wellbeing sessions.

"It wasn't in my calendar a year ago that I'd be doing this today and although it's been a really difficult year, I feel like I've stumbled onto a magical pathway..."

After discovering a love for the cello, they attended our monthly beginners' sessions throughout 2024. A huge "lightbulb moment" came when they learned to read music, and they've since joined Silver Strings, rented their own cello, and are going from strength to strength

A lovely example of how music can transform lives and create connections within our community. We are so proud of our players and honoured to be a part of their musical journeys

Join us?! 👉 https://musicforconnection.co.uk/silver-strings

23/09/2025

🍂 Get ready for autumn! 🍂

Bela and Anna will be leading a new series of Interactive Listening Walks, designed to help us reconnect with nature and sound, as the seasons turn

There's nothing like the feeling of getting outside and immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of a crisp autumn day. These walks are a chance to do just that, as we explore the unique soundscapes of our local community. We'll be listening for the gentle rustle of leaves underfoot and the curious sounds of nature

Here are some recent discoveries we made, during a very blustery and brilliant walk on the hillfort. Here's Anna listening to the tree trunk while Bethan tapped a conker on it - it sounded really good!

We will be running our next Interactive Listening session on 📅Thursday 6th November 📅- watch this space for more information!

18/09/2025

🌤️ Sunday’s forecast is looking promising! 🌤️

As we transition into autumn, we’re delighted to invite you to a special outdoor performance in the heart of Brighton and Hove

Join us at Pavilion Gardens this Sunday 21st, from 2-4 PM. The majestic Royal Pavilion will provide a lovely backdrop, as we share our love of music with you

This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a free, local event with friends and family. We encourage you to bring a picnic and find a comfortable spot to listen to your local string band. See you there!

15/09/2025

Bittersweet news, to share today!

Our wonderful colleague, Bethan Prosser, will be stepping away from her role with us at Brighton & Hove Music for Connection to take on an exciting new research position at the University of Southampton

We want to express our profound gratitude to Bethan for her remarkable contributions to Brighton and Hove Music for Connection. Her dedicated work has been instrumental in shaping our programmes and strengthening our mission to serve the Brighton and Hove community through music. Bethan has been with BHMfC for over seven years, developing the Interactive Listening Work with Bela, doing her PhD internship with us, bringing us in as the community partner in her fantastic postdoctoral work, and sharing her brilliant evaluation and musicianship skills...we will miss her!

Bethan has a new website - have a look here:https://www.participatorylistening.org/

We're excited for her new academic endeavours and hope to continue collaborating with her in the future

Thank you, Bethan, for your incredible work and for the lasting impact you have made!

04/09/2025

📰 News! 📰

We are absolutely delighted to announce some incredible news. We have been awarded new funding from three notable organisations: Brighton & Hove City Council, The National Lottery Awards for All, and Postcode Society Trust

We've also received a generous donation from an anonymous donor, which is just fabulous

This incredible support allows us to continue our vital work and bring a full, vibrant programme of music-focused events to older people and other members of the Brighton and Hove community. We can't wait to share the full programme with you all very soon

A huge, heartfelt thank you to our funders and our anonymous donor for empowering us to foster connection and well-being through the transformative power of music. We couldn't do this without you...

Address

Community Base, 113 Queens Road
Brighton And Hove
BN13XG

Website

http://musicforconnection.co.uk/contact/

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Our Story

Open Strings Music is a Brighton, UK -based not-for-profit organisation offering interactive music sessions with adults of all ages across the city. We believe creating and playing music together should be fun, easy and open to all. Our projects include: Silver Strings: our weekly later-starter string band. Come and try us out for free! We provide all instruments: violin, viola, cello for you to try out. FREE Open Sessions: first Tuesday of the month, downstairs at the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton 9:30-11:30am - contact us to book your space. Sing and Play: our free weekly creative music sessions for and with people living with dementia and their carers, commissioned by Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group - free sessions running up to April 2020 throughout the city. In these fun, gentle and supportive sessions we sing familiar and new songs together, explore instruments and sounds, move gently to music and make new friends. Music for engagement: we work with several organisations in the city to provide participatory music opportunities for mental health, adults with learning disabilities and older adults to play and enjoy music together. Teambuilding and staff engagement: sessions for wellbeing, using a range of instruments and activities.

Music training for carers of people living with dementia: National Lottery -funded free training sessions throughout Brighton & Hove 2019-2020