Brighton and Hove Music for Connection

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.

Great to be delivering some sessions, this term, for St. John's College enrichment programme. Here's Anna!
28/01/2026

Great to be delivering some sessions, this term, for St. John's College enrichment programme. Here's Anna!

📆 One week today! 📆
28/01/2026

📆 One week today! 📆

At Silver Strings, we love providing beginners with instruments to help them start their musical journey, but it’s alway...
26/01/2026

At Silver Strings, we love providing beginners with instruments to help them start their musical journey, but it’s always lovely when one of our players decides to purchase their own. We’ve just welcomed a beautiful new cello into the group, and its wonderful tone is already adding so much warmth

Fancy trying a stringed instrument yourself?

If you'd like to try something new but weren't sure where to start, our "Open Sessions" are a great entry point. We provide violins, violas, and cellos, all you need to bring is your curiosity. It’s a supportive, no-pressure environment where you can meet our friendly players and experience what it's like to play in a 'string band' from day one

When: Tuesday 3rd February, 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Where: Brighthelm Centre (North Road)

What: A gentle, inclusive introduction to community music-making

Whether you're a complete beginner or returning to music after a long break, you're most welcome!

🎟️ Booking essential
📧 hello@musicforconnection.co.uk

👂 Try something different: Interactive Listening Quest! ✨Even in the depth of winter, our local environment is full of s...
21/01/2026

👂 Try something different: Interactive Listening Quest! ✨

Even in the depth of winter, our local environment is full of subtle sounds and shifts which we often overlook in our daily rush

Monday 16th February | Jubilee Library | 13:30

Are you looking to break out of your winter routine? We invite you to step out of the cold and try something different. Join us for an Interactive Listening Quest - not a typical music session, but a playful, mindful exploration of sound and curiosity, designed to refresh your perspective

In a world that is often so visual, this is your chance to experiment with a new way of connecting to your surroundings. Whether you are a seasoned listener or simply someone looking for a creative way to stay active and engaged this February, we'd love to have you

The experience: mindful and curious

The requirement: no musical experience necessary - just a willingness to try something new!

The cost: free for over-50s (small donation for under-50s)

Staying active and socially connected during these transitional months is vital for our wellbeing. Come and find a sense of joy in the everyday sounds of our city

🎟️ booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/interactive-listening-quest-an-ears-first-exploration-tickets-1980135072305

A space for joy and connection: Music & Motion at Jubilee Library📅This time next week📅, we invite you to step into the w...
19/01/2026

A space for joy and connection: Music & Motion at Jubilee Library

📅This time next week📅, we invite you to step into the warmth of our local library for a very special hour of connection

Monday 26th January | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Jubilee Library, Brighton

Our Music and Motion sessions are a gentle hour, designed specifically for older adults experiencing age-related cognitive challenges or living with dementia. We also extend a warm welcome to the dedicated carers alongside them - this is a space for them to share in the joy, too

In the quiet of winter, staying active and socially connected is so important for our wellbeing. Through relaxed voice work and playful movement, we'll create a beautiful "in-the-moment" experience, where every contribution is valued

Libraries are often be the beating heart of a community, and we're proud to partner with Jubilee Library to keep this essential session free and accessible

What: Fun, relaxed, dementia-friendly voice and movement

Cost: Free for Brighton & Hove residents

Frequency: The last Monday of every month

📧 Get in touch: hello@musicforconnection.co.uk

Much of our work has been made possible thanks to players (Awards for All) and players of

🥁 Permission to Play - your monthly invitation to create!In exactly three weeks, we’ll be gathering again for one of our...
14/01/2026

🥁 Permission to Play - your monthly invitation to create!

In exactly three weeks, we’ll be gathering again for one of our favourite sessions of the month

Wednesday 4th February | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Brighthelm Centre

If you’ve ever felt like you "aren't musical" or that instruments are only for experts, this session is specifically for you. Permission to Play is a freeform, all-abilities jam session where there are no mistakes, only curiosity and connection

We provide a safe, inclusive space to explore sounds, rhythm, and melody in the moment. Whether you’ve played for years or have never touched an instrument in your life, your contribution is much needed

Who: Everyone is welcome. (Free for over-50s; small donation for under-50s)

What: A liberating, fun, and inclusive jam session

Where: Brighthelm Centre, Queens Road, Brighton

Space is limited to keep the session supportive and comfortable for everyone, so booking is essential️. Secure your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/permission-to-play-afternoon-all-abilities-50-musical-jam-tickets-1975869977291

"Welcoming, fun, patient facilitators, who made us feel safe and comfortable"

We can’t wait to step inside from the cold, and see what sounds we make this month!

Our work is made possible thanks to players (Awards for All) and players of People's Postcode Lottery

📅Dates for your diary...📅Monday 16th February: Interactive Listening QuestFollowing November’s brilliant session at Brig...
12/01/2026

📅Dates for your diary...📅

Monday 16th February: Interactive Listening Quest

Following November’s brilliant session at Brighton Museum, we’re offering another ears-first adventure! This is a session for listening, curiosity, and playing in the moment. Free for over-50s (small donation for under-50s). Jubilee Library, Brighton: email hello@musicforconnection.co.uk to book

Wednesday 18th March: All-Abilities Strings Jam

We provide cellos, violas, and violins for us to explore and play with. These liberating, fun sessions are based in listening, and designed for everyone to play together, whether you’re an experienced player or have never touched an instrument before! Free for over-50s (small donation for under-50s). Brighthelm Centre, 2:30-3:45pm. Email hello@musicforconnection.co.uk to book

One of Brighton and Hove Music for Connection’s programme managers, Bela Emerson, recently co-facilitated a wonderful In...
07/01/2026

One of Brighton and Hove Music for Connection’s programme managers, Bela Emerson, recently co-facilitated a wonderful Interactive Listening Walk with Dr Elona Hoover and Matthieu Lebrun (Beton-Communs) at University of Bordeaux’s FACTS festival

The workshop, on 16th November, inspired by Bela’s collaboration with colleague Dr Bethan Prosser, took a group of people of all ages through various outdoor and indoors listening spots, where playful sound-based interaction and gathering of found sounds culminated in playing a graphic score – Cracks – together

Bela says: ‘This was a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with participatory listening practitioners, musicians, and participants in an international setting. It was exciting!’

There will be a short film of the workshop released soon

Premiered at the FACTS festival was an immersive 19-minute sound piece interweaving recordings from the Commoning Sound: AmbiMuse in Brighton event at the Waste House in June

Created by Joe Davin, produced by Elona Hoover & Bethan Prosser, and funded by the University of Brighton (UoB) Centre for Arts & Wellbeing (CAW), the piece documents this event, which brought together local and international researchers, practitioners, and artists to explore the potential of situated and critical listening practices as a way of “commoning”: making and living well with human and non-human others, in often harsh and changing urban environments

It features an introduction from Matt Adams, an Interactive Listening Walk taster from Brighton & Hove Music for Connection's Bela Emerson and Bethan Prosser, and sharing of material by University of Bordeaux's Phillipe Woloszyn and Sara Ducloy

You can listen to it here:

https://soundcloud.com/bethanmprosser/commoning-soun

06/01/2026

📢 New Session Times for Brooke Mead Music & Motion📢

To all our beloved Brooke Mead regulars (and new participants looking to join us): please take note of a slight time change, for the start of the year

For January and February, sessions will now run from 11:15 am – 12:15 pm (Fridays)

Step into the warmth of our community space for an hour of inclusive, heart-led music-making. These sessions are specially designed for older adults, including those living with memory challenges or dementia, offering a sanctuary to connect and create

Where: Brooke Mead Extra Care Scheme, Albion Street

Cost: Free for Brighton & Hove residents

Requirement: Booking iessential hello@musicforconnection.co.uk

We can’t wait to share a song or two with you, on Friday!

Our work is made possible thanks to players (Awards for All) and players of People's Postcode Lottery .

✨New Year, new notes! ♫ Join us, this January... We'd love to challenge you to kick off 2026 with a little 'connection a...
04/01/2026

✨New Year, new notes! ♫ Join us, this January...

We'd love to challenge you to kick off 2026 with a little 'connection and creativity' in your local community

Whether you’ve always wanted to try a stringed instrument, or fancy the playful magic of a low-key musical 'jam' session (where even the jingle of keys or a simple hand-clap is a celebrated contribution!) or you’re looking for a supportive space for a loved one living with dementia, Brighton & Hove Music for Connection offers a warm and inclusive welcome

No musical experience is necessary, just an open heart and a bit of curiosity. Here is what’s happening, during the first two weeks of January:

🎵 Tuesday 6th Jan: Silver Strings Open Session

What: Our later-starter community string band, Try a violin, viola, or cello (we provide them!) and meet our friendly group

Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am at Brighthelm Centre

Note: Booking essential

🥁 Wednesday 7th Jan: Permission to Play jam session

What: A freeform, "in the moment" jam session. No experience needed

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm at Brighthelm Centre

Cost: Free for over-50s (donation for under-50s)

💙 Friday 9th Jan (and weekly): Music & Motion

What: A playful, free music session, specifically for older people, including those with memory challenges or dementia

Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm at Brooke Mead Extra Care Scheme

Note: Free for Brighton & Hove residents; booking essential

Let’s make the start of 2026 fun, musical and inclusive. We can't wait to see our regulars and also welcome new faces to the community.

See you out in Brighton and Hove next week!

Much of our work has been made possible thanks to players (Awards for All) and players of People's Postcode Lottery

A year of connection! ☕🎶Earlier this week, the Brighton and Hove Music for Connection team came together for a much-dese...
19/12/2025

A year of connection! ☕🎶

Earlier this week, the Brighton and Hove Music for Connection team came together for a much-deserved end-of-year coffee and cake to celebrate a fantastic year of hard work and shared moments

Our success is entirely down to the wonderful people who believe in our mission. We'd like extend a massive, heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported our work this year: whether you attended a session, donated, collaborated, funded our work, or helped us bring music into the community in any way. Your engagement makes our work possible!

We're feeling grateful and energised, as we look ahead to lots of exciting plans for 2026. Wishing you all a great break filled with joy and rest. See you in the New Year!

Musical magic, across generations...We had a really joyful day, as a small group of our Silver Strings members performed...
16/12/2025

Musical magic, across generations...

We had a really joyful day, as a small group of our Silver Strings members performed in the children’s library at Jubilee Library

It was a beautiful intergenerational gathering - our musicians connecting with a wonderful audience of very young people and their families. With lots of singing, enthusiastic percussion playing, and a fun "meet the instruments" session, the atmosphere was lovely. We even paraded through the library (with a sparkly crown and antlers!) to gather the crowd, in a bid to spread a little cheer to the library's visitors, that day!

This performance highlights why we love partnering with the library: it brings people from diverse cultures and all ages together, reinforcing the power of community music

It was pure joy! Thanks for having us Brighton & Hove City Libraries

Address

Community Base, 113 Queens Road
Brighton And Hove
BN13XG

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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