Making Music West Midlands ran a one-off programme in 2008 to give small grants to 7 member groups.  Over 20 applied In May 2008 and the final seven were selected.  The criteria included the following:
(a) that the project be a step forward from that member group's point of view
(b) that the project be interesting and innovative, both from Making Music's point of view and the member group's point of view
(c) that we have represented all types of group (vocal, instrumental, promoter)
(d) that it include example in city through to rural areas
(e) that there be a spread geographically among our many counties.

 THE ORGANISATIONS AND GRANTS

1. Local and Live, 'Website Creation': first ever website www.localandlive.org.uk

Committee Report: Having decided a website was a necessary next step for our concert series, it was then up to our marketing team (4 members of our committee) to put the relevant information together and discuss design features. We received some very useful advice from Micaela, e.g. what are overall image was, consistent branding, how much information is necessary, finding a webmaster and second in command, etc. We are all very pleased with our final product. The image is consistent with our other marketing tools, i.e. brochures and posters. It is simple to use, provides all necessary information, and is quick to load. As a non-profit-making organisation, the grant from Making Music has helped Local and Live in making the website possible, and has brought us into the twenty-first century! We paid £250 for an initial web design and £50 towards ongoing support from the designer for a year. We are very grateful to Making Music for this opportunity.
If we were advising another group on doing a similar project, we would advise them to:
(i) Decide on layout of website before meeting web designer.
(ii) Get all text and relevant information together beforehand.
(iii) Have a testing period, prior to going live.
We would recommend avoiding:
(i) Too many people deciding on design ideas
(ii) Giving web designer incomplete information.
(iii) Not thinking about what you want your website to achieve long term as well as short term.

2. Operamus, 'Semele': a community project to enable young opera singers and chorus training and the experience of performing Handel's Semele at the Birmingham Conservatoire, 4-7 September 2008

 3. Keele Concerts Society, 'Meet the Music Makers' : special workshop presentation by Piva on Wed. 8 October 2008  photos [attached]

 4. Midland Festival Chorus - 'Young Singers Initiative': funding for young singers to take part in their annual workshops/concert, culminating in a final performance on Sat. 11 October 2008 photos

 5. Windmill Singers, 'Technology Opportunity': purchase of scanning, music notation and MIDI software, to enable us to convert hard copy  into MIDI files to be used for individual practice and rehearsal.

6. Bromyard and District Choral Society, 'A Choral workshop': choral skills workshop on Sat. November 22, 2008

 7. Solihull Symphony Orchestra, 'Reaching Out': business sponsorship scheme launch