Following the three steps to music heaven

Peterborough Cathedral’s choir (and organists) presented a whole week of online musical excellence and the Cambridge King’s College Choir and King’s Singers performed a superb evening of music on the BBC on Easter Saturday.

Music is at the heart of all the major events in our lives and the current health crisis continues to unite, connect, and sustain listeners across the world.

Throughout months of isolation, our need to engage with creativity has resulted in many people making music and taking up tuition. Peterborough Music Hub is on hand to help young musicians maintain that momentum, signposting players to further training and performance opportunities.

For advice and information, email: [email protected]

With this month unveiling Step 2 of the government’s roadmap for easing restrictions, musicians will begin preparations for Step 3, the return of live shows and performances – currently announced to begin (at the earliest) from 17 May.

Step 3 will allow some larger performances at indoor venues “…with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number). In the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower).”

The new measures will offer welcome respite to musicians and events teams across the country - and the chance to earn money and perform once again. A growing number of festival organisers are scheduling dates in the hope of taking full advantage of the great outdoors to entertain audiences. A special Events Research Programme has also been set up to monitor a series of pilot events through the spring and summer. This data will be added to the growing list of similar projects trialled across the world seeking to find the best ways of working and enjoying music safely.

For most venues, the return to live shows will be slow but Peterborough’s Cresset is already promoting a great new season, presenting a fine programme of first-class musical artists across a range of genres beginning in early July. For details, visit: www.cresset.co.uk

For many theatregoers, the experience of returning to shows could be daunting, but venues – like all service providers - have worked hard to prepare for the safe return of patrons. The Cresset is working to the ‘See It Safely’ guidelines for venues, following a host of procedures to make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible.

In the meantime, the team at Stamford Arts Centre is busy planning a series of free (but bookable) outdoor Arts Around Town events.

Currently scheduled for the end of May/early June, they will feature activities and small-scale outdoor performances at ‘Around Town’ locations in Stamford, The Deepings, Bourne and Grantham. For details visit: www.stamfordartscentre.com

To enjoy some music this spring follow Eddie Cochran’s advice in his 1960s hit Three Steps to Heaven – “Just follow Steps 1, 2 and 3.”