Steering Group member
Biography
Alison is the Deputy CEO of Making Music, the UK membership organisation for leisure-time music, and has also been their Manager in Scotland for ten years. In her role she supports the committees and leaders of choirs and music groups with organisational practicalities, specialising in access and inclusion guidance, and leads on advocacy and lobbying for the UK amateur music sector.
Alison has worked in community and participatory arts for almost 30 years, starting as a drama leader across the Highlands, and ending up in Wester Hailes as Director of WHALE Arts. She studied theatre not music at University, but learned to play fiddle and sing at school and in the vibrant Scottish trad music scene.
Which types of song leading do you specialise in?
Not a leader, but an enabler of all types of choir and singing in my role at Making Music – choral societies, community choirs, choirs for health, etc. I also sing myself in a community soul choir, “to nurture my soul”!
Tell us your top three areas of expertise
Access and Inclusion in performing arts environments
Governance for volunteer led groups
Fundraising, evaluation and monitoring guidance
Do you lead on any particular areas within the Scotland Sings Steering Group?
Fair Work for freelancers
Development of membership networks
Guidance for volunteer led groups
Aside from singing, what couldn’t you live without?
Neighbourhood life – organising after school clubs, playing fiddle in community centres, monthly living room book club, welcoming guisers.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Singing leaders are a precious asset for Scotland. I am one of hundreds of thousands of people who are lifted up by singing in a choir every week, from struggle, grief and disconnection, to courage, harmony and love. I want to help make sure singing leaders are noticed, respected, supported and loved in return.