Brass Bands England (BBE) is launching a new working group to support its climate-related environmental responsibility.
Applications are now open with the group to be made up of six independent members and supported by BBE staff, who will scrutinise the organisation's work from a climate perspective.
It is hoped that learning from the working group will help inform resources, training and advice that will be available to the BBE membership to support their own work to become increasingly environmentally sustainable organisations.
Affect everyone
Speaking about the new initiative, Alex Parker, BBE Membership Development Manager, said: "The climate and our response to how it changes in the decades to come is going to affect everything in our lives — and banding is no exception. We need to be aware that we might need to modify what we do as the climate changes."
He added: "Funders are becoming ever more focused on the climate and how the arts can be a tool to support changes in society. This group will help ensure that bands have the tools and resources able to make that change."
The group is officially launching at this year's Brass in Concert Festival, two weeks before this year's COP 28 climate conference in Dubai.
Launch survey
A launch survey is available for members of all bands across the UK to input by sharing how the climate crisis is already affecting them.
To take part:
The group's founding members, Kate Lock and Stuart Young, have already begun mapping out the aims of the group.
Kate works as a climate policy communicator based at Leeds University and Stuart's architectural practice focuses on green developments and building resilience as well as developing climate tools and advice as part of the Sheffield Brass Network.
Both will be available at the BBE trade stand at Brass in Concert to answer any questions about completing the climate survey or joining the working group.
The group is looking for BBE members from across the UK who have a strong background in environmental awareness and want to bring that experience to the benefit of bandingBBE
Join the working group
The group is looking for BBE members from across the UK who have a strong background in environmental awareness and want to bring that experience to the benefit of banding.
The group will meet four times a year and each meeting will look at BBE's own work alongside resources for the sector.
One of the spaces has been dedicated for a member under the age of 25 to ensure the next generation is represented amongst the group.
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To apply to join the group please fill out the application form by Monday 11 December. Informal chats will take place with selected applicants in December, with successful applicants announced in the new year.
