Brass bands and other community based music societies throughout Wales are being asked to rally in protest, following the news reported on 4BR of the potential threat to Ty Cerdd funding as a result of the Arts Council of Wales’s recent 'Investment Review'.
Loud and clear
And one of the Welsh brass band movements most respected voices has urged bands in the Principality to make their opposition to any proposed funding cuts to be heard loud and clear.
C. Brian Buckley told 4BR: "It is vitally important for all bands to urgently register their views to the Arts Council of Wales and elected Members of the Welsh Assembly Government."
Not a priority
Brian is concerned that despite the Arts Council itself saying that 'amateurs and volunteers are as much part of the cultural DNA of Wales as our award winning artists and national companies' they have also contradicted themselves by adding that, '…by and large this won’t be an area of Arts Council priority'.
"Describing brass bands in Wales as 'amateurs and volunteers' is technically accurate," Brian says, "…but it does the movement a great disservice."
"In terms of the descriptor – amateur, meaning ‘someone who performs music for the love of it and without payment’ is correct," he concedes.
"However, it is derogatory in describing the effective standards of performance achieved and maintained by brass bands over many past decades."
It is vitally important for all bands to urgently register their views to the Arts Council of Wales and elected Members of the Welsh Assembly GovernmentC. Brian Buckley
Immeasurable
With a lifetime spent in music making, administration and organisation in the Principality and beyond, Brian believes the contribution that brass music making has made to the cultural life of communities in Wales is immeasurable.
He acknowledges that without the generous assistance of Ty Cerdd funding in recent years such a contribution to Welsh cultural life would have been meagre and of significantly lesser worth to the reputation of Wales as a musical nation.
Proactive action
He now feels that the time has come for proactive action to be taken to safeguard funding to Welsh banding.
"Other organisations will have been cut, and will be lobbying very hard on their own behalf," he added. "It is up to bands to add their voice. It will be no use complaining after the event!"
Opportunity
Brian believes an ideal opportunity exists for bands to utilize the full glare of the Welsh media spotlight to highlight their cause – at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, which will be held in Ebbw Vale in the next few weeks.
"There is a golden opportunity bands and supporters at the forthcoming Eisteddfod to directly lobby the Arts Council of Wales display on the Eisteddfod Maes (Field).
"Band officials and players should not allow this ‘scrooge like’ attitude to remain unchallenged. However, the lobby must be carried out in a positive and constructive manner!"
Show of support
Brian hopes that the show of support will enable the achievements of Ty Cerdd – Music Centre Wales to be shown to those wielding the financial axe.
His final plea to bands is heartfelt: "Please do not allow this situation to remain unchallenged due to apathy. Remember the well known saying – Water is not considered precious until the well has run dry."
Views and opinions
He believes that if no action is undertaken the last few bucketfuls of much needed funding may well be drawn from an organisation that has served Welsh banding well for over 40 years.
Your views and opinions can be registered with the Arts Council of Wales, Bute Place, Cardiff CF10 5AL
Tel: 029 20 441 400
Website: www.artswales.org.uk
Details for Welsh Assembly members can be found at:
https://www.assemblywales.org/memhome/mem-contact/eform-email-a-member.htm
