Music for All in Ryde

UK charity, Music for All, is hosting its annual flagship free music-making event ‘Learn to Play’ this weekend, at Aspire, Ryde.

The event is open to everyone, regardless of age, experience and background, and provides opportunities for participants to experience a free taster music-making lesson.

Running for more than a decade, ‘Learn to Play’ aims to inspire, encourage and enable both new and lapsed music makers to enjoy the benefits of music-making, as well as connecting and championing UK music providers.

Sonali Banerjee, Music for All’s general manager, said: “Engagement with performance-based art, particularly participation in music, has been very well documented over the years as being linked to reductions in depression, anxiety and pain and improved quality of life for many people.

“’Learn to Play’ activities are needed now more than ever, and through our regional music-making events, we aim to support and inspire as many people as possible in experiencing the unique joys and benefits of music-making.

“The event arrives at a time where music-making opportunities are difficult to access due to current continued real terms cuts to arts education – resulting in many primary schools failing to meet basic music curriculum needs for young people.”