Members of the Welsh banding community will once again attempt to draw agreement from its disparate individual and organisational elements to form a unified representative body to help secure a sustainable future for the movement in the country.

Latest initiative

Previous attempts have proven unsuccessful, although the latest initiative hopes to build on the encouragement gained by an initial meeting that took place in March in Cardiff just before the Coronavirus pandemic stopped banding activity in Wales.

The initiative is to be discussed at a mixed attendance/online meeting to be held in mid-Wales in September, once again led by the Andrew Jones, a respected figure in the Welsh banding movement.

Partnership

He told 4BR that he believes that people are determined for such a body to be set up to be able to access potential Arts Council funding to work in partnership with the existing structures within Welsh banding.

"Understandably concerns have been focussed on other areas of life over the last few months, but after talking to a number of people it was felt that now was the time to revisit the topic and see if we can build on the initial encouraging signs and start to build foundations for the future."

Complement

Andrew was also keen to point out that the aim will be to create an organisation that is able to complement the existing banding structures in each area of Wales.

It's mission will encompass the ability to access long term funding streams to promote initiatives and projects that can be utilised by bands, bodies and associations to become proactive musical hubs in their communities.

He hopes that this will help to invigorate community banding with knock on benefits for the profile and success of Welsh banding on the concert as well as contesting platforms.

Andrew was also keen to point out that the aim will be to create an organisation that is able to complement the existing banding structures in each area of Wales4BR

Realistic

"I think we have to be realistic about what steps can be taken — but Welsh banding needs to be able to gain long term, sustainable funding that benefits all corners of the nation.

A national body can do that and should be able to work in partnership with existing bodies for their benefit.

It's a complex issue with many elements to draw together, but now is the time to get it right to safeguard and build for the future — working together and working for the greater good of Welsh banding."

Further information and enquiries

For further information for those interested please go to:
https://musicforyoublog.com/2020/08/23/open-letter-to-welsh-brass-band-colleagues-no-2/