Many of our member bands took up the challenge to raise funds over the festive period by joining our #BrassBandsAtChristmas campaign, to support a range of projects as well as cover the costs of maintaining a brass band. The campaign, delivered in partnership with the Crowdfunder platform, launched on 23 November and allowed bands to learn from fundraising experts as well as share their experiences with others participating in the campaign.
Blackburn & Darwen Band used the fundraiser to support tuition fees that will revitalise their youth provision, while Amersham sought to raise money for tubas in what they dubbed a “Tubatastic Christmas”. Meanwhile, the essentials of everyday banding - music stands, banners, storage - were the focus of Old Silkston Brass Band and Malton White Star Band.
Flixton Band are raising funds to upgrade their 100 year old bandroom to include new greener initiates, such as better insulation and more eco friendly outside lighting. They got this idea following Kate Lock’s presentation on ‘Why should bands engage in the climate crisis?’, which can be viewed, along with all other conference presentations, on the Member Resources page of the BBE website.
Popular mechanisms for fundraising in this year’s campaign had been heavily incentivised by band’s offering ‘rewards’. Among them were a personal carol card with a £10 donation, 30 minutes of Christmas music on your street for £30, to the promise not to play outside your home at 6AM Christmas Day for a £5,000 donation.
Crowdfunding has not only raised much needed funds for banding organisations, but has also allowed bands to reconnect with their community after the isolation of the pandemic.
Jess Wilson, Brass Bands England’s Project Officer, commented: “It has been a real inspiration to see so many bands step back out from the band room and onto the streets of their communities, spreading the message of their existence and how important they are to the charisma of the local area!”
Brass Bands England congratulates the bands who took part in this year’s campaign, and also sends our thanks to the team at Crowdfunder for all of their guidance and support this year.
BBE member? View our Member Resources on fundraising, or apply for our Fundraising Service to support your band.