Established in July 2023 the Producers Network is a networking space for individuals and organisations involved in making live music for children, schools and families as audiences rather than as participants. We broadly define ‘young audiences’ as ‘those aged 0 – 18, consuming live music anywhere, and in any way’.
The Producers Network is an informal group and welcomes professionals of any level of experience from across the sector – producers, programmers, musicians, venue managers, funders, evaluators etc etc The group encourages peer to peer learning and support through twice yearly meetings featuring case studies and discussions as well as an online networking group. It is free to join and holds no budget. We are therefore unable to pay contributors for their time instead providing mutual benefit through networking, providing CPD and promoting best practice.
The group is facilitated by MishMash Productions and steered by a voluntary group comprising:
- Liz Muge, Artistic and Executive Director MishMash Productions
- Fiona Lambert, Director of Participation & Deputy CEO City of London Sinfonia
- Talia Lash, Education and Community Director London Philharmonic Orchestra
- Anahita Falaki, Concerts and Participation Manager Aurora Orchestra
- Polly Ives, Founder and Creative Director, Concerteenies
- Pippa Barnwell, CEO Children’s Classic Concerts
- Tom Spurgin, Interim Programmes Director, Music for Youth
- Jessica Santer, Head of Engagement and Participation Turner Sims, Southampton
Twice-yearly meetings will be open to all, free to attend and hosted online. Each meeting will focus on a specific subject announced in advance and include case studies and facilitated discussions. Members of the network are encouraged to participate by sharing best practice with the wider group.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 24th November 2026 from 10am – 12pm and hosted online on Zoom. If you would like to attend please register below:
The group now numbers more than 60 individual producers, programmers, directors, and promoters and 20 – 30 of us meet twice a year.
Recent meetings have included:
- Presentations from Sophie Loschenbrand, Cornelia Voglmayr and Elisabeth Poecksteiner regarding their partnership approach to making award-winning work in Austria
- Presentations on data collection and approaches to consultation from Orchestras Live, The Audience Agency and Wiltshire Creative
- A focus on Audience Development including a presentation from Tom Spurgin from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra linked to his PhD study
- A presentation from Stu Burns from Scottish Ensemble focused on cross art-form practice.
- A presentation on child centred practice and a children’s rights approach to making and evaluating work delivered by Rhona Matheson, Chief Executive of Starcatchers.
- Case studies from MishMash Productions and Children’s Classic Concerts.
- Focus groups looking into musicians training and development.
If you are involved in making, promoting or programming work for young audiences and would like to join the Producers Network please contact liz@mishmashproductions.co.uk
"Thank you SO much for yesterday - I love having the chance to meet new people in the industry, and I loved the breakout sessions. Thanks again - it really is a very special forum that you've created!"Lucy Drever, Producers Forum
The idea for the Network came from the 2020 Making the Connection Symposion co-hosted by MishMash Productions and Lakeside Arts as a one-day event to explore high quality and accessible music experiences for children, families and schools.