Some neighbours are keen to organise something for Play Music on the Porch Day! Do you want to get involved? Have a porch to offer? Want to play some music on someone's else's porch? Want to help out some other way? Get in touch! hello@neighbourhoodnode.com.au

We love it when great ideas join forces! At the Soup Music Night, neighbour Julie shared her recent music initiative, bringing together anyone who wants to twice a month to play music together. Accessible, during the day, and open to anyone and any instrument. Today, Music for Change's David joined in with the group, together with another new member who learnt about the session at Soup Night.

The QT Music Session takes place on the first and third Monday of the month, 1.30-3.30pm. Bring your instrument and any music you would like to play with the group!

What a wonderful night of music, getting to know each other and warming our hearts and soul with beautiful soup and homemade sourdough. The Music for Change team put together the program for Soup Night #6, bringing together nearly 50 locals to sing, play and break bread.

Here are some snapshots of the night, which included a performance by Born On Monday choir, and signalongs led by local musicians Tinfish George and David Cronin, supported by Anthony Pak Poy.

Keep an eye on this page for more info about where to next for Music for Change!

Music for Change have been planning their first project activity: putting on the next Neighbourhood Soup Night infused with local music! The team have brought together a program that enables people to share music, listen to music and participate in music.

Come along on Monday August 25, 6-8.30pm at QT Neighbourhood Node (67 Spring St, Queenstown).

To join the Music for Change team and be part of creating future activities that promote joy and community bonding through music, reach out to hello@neighbourhoodnode.com.au

The project team met at The Pear on July 11, to discuss and divide various tasks needed to organise the Soup Music Night on Monday August 26. The team will be working on creating advertising materials, working out the best way for musicians to RSVP, programming, and various other things.

Next planning meeting: Wednesday 23 July, 10am at The Pear

On Monday July 7, the Music for Change Project Team welcomed a new member, and worked on defining the overall goal for the project as well as some objectives, and decided on first steps to work on. The team have decided the first thing they want to organise is to bring a community music element to the next Soup Night in August, planned for Monday August 26.

The next project planning meeting is Friday 11 July, 9am at The Pear.
Anyone is welcome to come along!

The team defined the project Goal as:
"Building community bonding and joy through music"

The project objectives:

• Run community singing
• Collaborative songwriting
• Create an environment for musicians to get together
• Plan and conduct a music session for Soup Night
• Explore the history of music

On Monday June 23rd, the Music for Change project team got together to discuss the first steps for their project. A small but enthusiastic group, who have decided to focus on organising a community music activity that is achievable, exciting and that encourages room for growth and involvement of new people.

The team will meet again on Monday July 7th, 4.30-5.30pm, at QT Neighbourhood Node (67 Spring St, Queenstown). Anyone is welcome to come along!

Thanks to everyone who came to the Music for Change Spark Session. You brought creativity, passion, and a real sense of possibility into the room — and the result was a fantastic start to something we can all help shape.

What we set out to do:

The idea behind Music for Change was simple but powerful: How can we use music to build stronger, more connected communities? We gathered to explore this idea and see what might emerge from it.

What happened in the session:

The energy was vibrant, with people sharing a wide range of ideas—from community jam sessions and free music workshops to songwriting spaces and music for mental well-being. Some ideas were practical, others more ambitious, but all were welcome.

Together, we:

• Mapped out ideas that fit under the banner of Music for Change.
• Talked about what was already happening in the area — and what was missing.
• Discussed how music can be a tool for inclusion, expression, and connection.
• Formed a small project team to take the idea forward and plan the next steps.

What we noticed:

• There was a strong interest in creating open, welcoming music spaces where anyone could participate, regardless of skill level.
• Several participants shared stories about how music had played a role in their well-being and sense of community.
• There was a shared interest in keeping the project flexible, starting small but with room to grow.

Next steps:

A few of us have signed up to be part of a planning group. We’ll soon set a date for the first meet-up, where we’ll explore what our first activity could be—a jam session? A workshop? A community singalong? You’re invited to participate in it however you’d like.

Would you be interested in joining in?

Let us know! Whether you play an instrument, want to help behind the scenes, or love the idea, there’s a place for you in Music for Change.