Group membership is open to any leisure-time music making or promoting groups, regardless of repertoire or size. Whether you sing Bach or Gary Barlow, play the lute or the steel pans – join the Making Music community!
There are two different types of membership for groups
- Full
- Associate
The overall membership benefits are the same, except for the differences as below.
Full members
- have voting rights at Making Music’s AGM
- members of Full member groups can stand for election as a Making Music Board member
Associate members
- do not have voting rights at Making Music’s AGM
- pay slightly higher membership fees (see table below). This is because we have to charge VAT differently for groups who do not have voting rights.
What do you get for your membership?
Have a look at the wide range of benefits available with your membership from practical services like PRS collection and Orchestra Tax Relief services, resources on the governance and marketing of your group to project and broadcast opportunities and more.
*Update about group insurance - September 2023*
Which membership type should we get?
Groups who are just starting out can still qualify for Full membership. We have a special discount for new groups to help get you started with our model constitution. The best thing to do is contact us directly to discuss options.
If your group has a constitution (governing document) that includes the following points, you can apply as a Full member:
- Establishes musical aims for your group
- Establishes your group as a not-for-profit organisation and prohibits the division of profits or assets to any members, both as part of the group activities and upon dissolving the group
If your group does not currently meet the criteria above you can either:
- Join as an Associate member
- Apply for Full membership and we will help you through the process of meeting the criteria.
Professional groups/ensembles:
Our services are primarily for leisure-time music groups. Professional bands and ensembles are welcome to join us as Associate members.
If you are a member of Brass Bands England (BBE), then membership with us is already included in your BBE membership. All you have to do is activate your Making Music membership.
If you’re not a member of Brass Bands England, you might want to consider joining them – membership with us is included. Despite the name ‘Brass Bands England’, bands from anywhere in the UK can join BBE.
If you are a member of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) or British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS), then you probably have membership with us through them. Get in touch with us to find out more.
If you’re not a member of LABBS or BABS you might want to consider joining them – membership with us included – plus all the great stuff they offer.
How much does it cost?
Membership is from £109.
Membership packages run from 1 January to 31 December each year. So whenever you join, your membership ends on 31 December in the same year, and if you renew it, begins again on 1 January the following year.
The cost of membership depends on the gross annual income (including donations) of your group.
Pro-rata: Membership fees are pro-rated (50% off) when joining after 30 June.
Discounts: If you are a brand-new group (started within the previous 6 months) you will qualify for a 50% discount. Discounts are also available for certain other groups (see 'Discounts' below).
Membership fees for 2024
|
Subscription fees (for full and associate) |
||
|
Income bands |
Groups joining between 1 January and 30 June |
Groups joining between 1 July and 31 December |
|
< £7,200 |
£109.00 |
£54.50 |
|
< £10,000 |
£132.00 |
£66.00 |
|
< £14,500 |
£155.00 |
£77.50 |
|
< £21,000 |
£219.00 |
£109.50 |
|
< £31,000 |
£298.00 |
£149.00 |
|
< £100,000 |
£392.00 |
£196.00 |
|
£100,000+ |
£496.00 |
£248.00 |
Membership discounts
Getting a new group off the ground can be challenging. To help you along the way we offer a 50% on the membership subscription fee. This gives you full membership rights – including access to our Model constitution to help you get set-up as a Charity as well as advice from our expert team. To qualify for this discount your group must have formed in the last 6 months or be in the process of forming.
To receive the discount, use code 'NGD' when applying online or by post.
We believe passionately in youth music and to help those groups dedicated to engaging young people with music offer a 25% discount on the membership fee on joining and at each renewal. To qualify your members must all be under 21.
To receive the discount, use code 'YTHD' when applying online or by post.
Any new member group which includes an abcd member receives a 25% discount of their first year of membership.
To find out how to receive this discount contact us
We also offer joining and renewal discounts for members of certain affiliated organisations. The amounts vary and can be found in the table below along with the relevant code.
| Organisation | Joining discount | Renewal discount | Discount code |
| Sing Ireland | 15% | 10% | SIRJ15 |
| Jazz Promoters Network | 25% (2024) | 10% | JPNMM24 |
| Chamber Music Scotland | 25% (2024) | 10% | CMS2024 |
|
Welsh Association Of Male Choirs |
15% | 10% | WAMC21 |
| Brass Bands Wales | 15% | 10% | BPCBBW21 |
| BMG | 10% | 10% | BMG |
| Dementia Inclusive Singing Network | 25% | 25% | DISN |
| Handbell Ringers Great Britain | 10% | 10% | HRGB |
