Strong parliamentary support for brass bands was shown at a meeting in London last week when Ed Vaizey MP, Under Secretary of State for Culture, Communications & Creative Industries, invited leaders of Arts Council England and Brass Bands England to Whitehall in order to open conversations on how best to assist brass bands flourish.

Co-operation

The meeting focused on the spirit of co-operation key to ensuring that bands felt confident in applying for the financial support available to them via the Arts Council.

A successful example was shown with the Grants for the Arts Fund, which offers smaller grants of up to £15,000 and major grants of up to £100,000.

Prosper

Cluny Macpherson, Regional Director, Arts Council England was quoted stating: "There is a very rich tradition of brass bands across England and our top bands are the best in the world.

We want them to prosper with a new generation of players and for audience members to experience the thrill of listening to their unique music.

That’s why we provide core funding to Brass Bands England. Brass Bands can access lottery funding through our Grants for the Arts Fund and we would welcome more applications."

Importance

BBE Chairman Robert Morgan MBE, highlighted the importance of such funding streams.

"Bands need help to ensure that our young players have good instruments and quality tuition available to them. We have a responsibility to our young musicians to offer them the best we can."

Example

He also used the inspiring example of the Grants for the Arts achievement of the Stalham Band, which under MD, Dr Tim Thirst MBE, used funding as part of the creation of a successful training Band.

Tim explained: "We needed to ensure the future sustainability of Stalham Band by starting a new training programme for 50 local children and young people.

In this first year of operation 95 children have been trained on this scheme. Funders like Arts Council England have been vital to our success."

Bands need help to ensure that our young players have good instruments and quality tuition available to them. We have a responsibility to our young musicians to offer them the best we canRobert Morgan MBE

BBE aim

Brass Bands England also reiterated its aim to continue to assist bands to access both local and national funding, with the BBE Liaison Officer’s current funding network initiative going from strength to strength.

Further information:

To gain further information about help that is available, please contact: Rachel@brassbandsengland.co.uk