Core Music, Community Interest Company (CIC) is proudly non-for-profit.
To help fund our projects, please consider donating.
Making music, accessible to all
An Exciting New Chapter
Dear friends and supporters
We wanted to take a moment to update you on what's been happening at Core Music CIC and share some exciting news about our future.
As many of you know, I stepped into the role of manager in September 2022, taking the reins of this much-loved community music hub, established by the amazing Mike Coleman. Core Music has been nurturing music in Hexham since 2007, but like many organisations, we’ve had to navigate some big financial and cultural changes that have globally affected, not only music and the arts, but all sectors and many of our day to day lives.
Over the past two years, we’ve been working hard to ensure Core Music remains a vibrant and sustainable space for music-making. One major change has been the closure of our retail department, which was struggling to keep up in a shifting marketplace. But we’re turning this challenge into an opportunity. Our plan is to create a musical instrument library that will support our participatory music services and, in time, provide access to instruments for people and organisations across Hexham and West Northumberland.
Our amazing team of musicians and technicians has been busier than ever, delivering an incredible 2,237 lessons and running over 70 group sessions and workshops between September and December 2024 alone. We’re determined to keep expanding our activities so that everyone—regardless of personal or financial circumstances—gets the chance to benefit from making music.
We know the shop’s closure might make us feel a little less visible, but we’re working hard behind the scenes on a focused direction and clearer identity We’ve also recently been awarded a Reach Fund grant to help us develop a new business plan that will help shape our next steps and secure our future.
The last two years have been challenging, but I want to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has stood by us; our brilliant musicians, our dedicated staff, Queen’s Hall Arts, Hexham Town Council, Hexham Middle School, Hexham Rotary Club, and to all our wonderful supporters who contribute monthly, knowing that without Core Music CIC, our region would be missing something truly special.
We can’t do this without your continued backing; please keep supporting us. The next chapter is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to share it with you!
With gratitude,
Paul Susans
Core Music CIC Manager
Give the gift of music!
Our vouchers can be used with any of our available one-to-one tutors, groups, sessions or workshops
Please fill out the form below to request your voucher or to arrange a conversation with the Core Music CIC manager for options or advice
Core Music lessons, groups, sessions and workshops are delivered by our team of expert, independent musicians; uniting under the shared values of Core Music CIC.
Voucher lessons make a fantastic gift and include a 10% admin fee that goes directly to Core Music CIC services but prices of individual lessons, sessions & workshops may vary and can be discussed directly with musicians via contacting them directly via the tuition, groups, sessions and workshops pages above
Prices for lessons are in line with M.U. rates and are available on request from musicians
Voucher lesson prices are;
One-to-One £25 (30mins)
Group, Session or Workshop £17.50 (avg. 90mins - 2hrs)
Voucher sessions in our community recording studio (including engineer) are £150 per half day (4hrs) or £250 full day (8hrs)
Perfect for demos, solo artists and bands wanting to learn studio skills!
All Core Music CIC music practitioners have been verified by Core Music CIC and have professional references available on request
All of our musicians have a high level of skills, qualifications and experience to deliver a diverse and quality rage of services
All musicians and staff hold, current enhanced DBS certificates.
Our offer
Core Music CIC has moved away from retail but we are increasing our offer for active music making.
We are currently working on
Creating a professional musicians collective
Growing our tuition, groups, session & workshop offer
Making pathways for new, returning or would-be professional musicians
Bespoke training and work experience opportunities in music teaching, performing, production or technician roles
Hosting accessible and inclusive lessons, sessions, groups and workshops
Due to on going changes, we are not available via phone.
If you wish to speak to one of the team please contact us here
This website continues to be a work in progress.
Please explore the links above to see our current offer - we are adding more services as we grow and expand
Who we are.
Core Music (CIC) is a social enterprise and partner of Hexham’s Cultural Network that creates, nurtures and supports music making opportunities for the people of Hexham, the Tyne Valley and West Northumberland.
The Core Music Hub in Hexham is a safe and supportive space for musicians of all ages and abilities to perform and learn as part of a community of amazing and diverse musicians.
Performance.
Participation.
Community.
Make a donation.
Core Music is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and non-for-profit.
Please consider donating to make our projects possible.
You can also support us by donating used instruments, our Monday Night Repair Club is run by skilled staff and volunteers who can breathe life into instruments so we can get them into the hands of people who need them!
Please see our instrument donations project for more details.
Opening Hours
Monday - Saturday: by appointment only
Sunday: Closed
Please note: Core Music CIC musicians often use the building flexibly around their own business needs and each musicians timetable is unique to them. For more details about lessons, groups & session times, see our
Performance, Participation, and Community offers in the header on this page.
Please contact musicians directly for their schedules, prices and availability
If you wish to speak to the Core Music manager or staff team, please contact via the link above.