What happens when 35 people from vastly different backgrounds, ages and musical experiences come together to collectively compose and perform original music? The Messengers (London) and Korda Samfónía (Reykjavík) are bands which defy the norm within the music industry, bringing a new approach into higher music education, with government level funding to operate within healthcare and rehabilitation.

This presentation and interactive workshop will introduce the project model, but also offer a doing of – not just talking of – the intricacies and complexities of music leadership in dilemmatic spaces. With a playful approach, the session opens space for critical reflection and curiosity around issues of power and agency in community music, and the navigation of artistic quality, preference and aesthetics within the context of individual needs vs group dynamics, fragility vs ability.