One thing that becomes clear when talking to Oldham Music Service is that there’s always a lot going in the Greater Manchester town. One of the first events registered for Make Music Day 2023, their ‘Music In The Library’ event is one of many planned for the year. “We have the Biggest Band Day just around the corner in March as part of a week of Departmental Concerts”, explains Head of Service, Gerard Booth, “then the King’s Coronation in May, Make Music Day on 21st June and our Big Summer Festival in the Town Centre on 8th July, so we’re a very busy service here in Oldham.”
Free, live music in public spaces is at the heart of what Make Music Day is all about, and the young people will fully embrace that ethos when they take to the stage in Oldham Library at 4pm on 21st June. With three performance areas and at least six ensembles involved, it’s fair to say that this library will be loud.
“The venue definitely embraces the modern library philosophy, and it’s not a traditional space. We’ll be performing in a large, open foyer area, setting up on one stage whilst groups perform from another. There will be a lot people, and they will certainly know that we’re there!”
The event will include performance from a wide range of ensembles, including the Oldham Youth Orchestra’s Brass and Woodwind ensembles, the exciting Funky Folk band, Repercussions (percussion ensemble), community Ukulele group, ‘UkeToo’, and the EGGs (Electric Guitar Groups) – just some of the fantastic ensembles that Oldham Music Service offer.
“Make Music Day offers us the opportunity for all our groups to perform, with the added value of being involved in something big taking place around the world. We find there’s a lot of synergy between our objectives of community music making and the ethos of Making Music, which is a big part of why we want to be involved.”
With live music playing such an important part of life in Oldham, Gerard is keen to highlight the other benefits too. “The social impact can’t be overstated,” he says. “The camaraderie, the emotional and mental wellbeing benefits of music making… it’s all central to what we do.”
Music Services, libraries, shopping centres and open spaces up and down the country will be bursting with live music on 21st June, just like in Oldham. If you want to be part of the celebration, you can register your event here.
There is a special online event for Libraries taking place on 14th March, 4.00pm. Or, for more general information, come along to our ‘Introducing Make Music Day’ online event on 21st March.
