Support Blackley Brass Band

Blackley Band is part of a national initiative launched by Brass Bands England to save the many UK brass bands who are struggling to survive through the COVID-19 pandemic. Brass bands are a core of their local community, and many risk disappearing altogether without your help. 

We are a Manchester based brass band who regularly perform 30-40 concerts a year. This year we have managed 1 concert, 1 contest and a number of socially distanced videos. We are crowdfunding to ensure that when we return to the band room we can continue to rehearse and perform safely whilst doing what we love. We would be grateful for any donations no matter how small to help us get back out in to the community and bring music and joy back to the churches, parks and halls around North Manchester. We will be offering some rewards for donations and if any of our friends and followers have anything they wish to offer for a donation to the band we will be eternally grateful. 

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are a 4th section band who prides ourselves on performing excellent, entertaining and unique concerts throughout the year. On an average year we perform across the North West in 30-40 concerts every year before Covid-19. So far in 2020 we have performed 1 concert and at 1 contest. We have been lucky enough to create some socially distanced performances and release a number of videos across our social platforms. However we are desperate to get back together and play as a band and perform to the community. 

We are crowdfunding to raise funds to survive, without the concerts this year every band has taken a hit, we are no different. The funds we raise through this campaign will go towards helping us survive, paying our room rent, MD fees, insurances etc that we have commitments to. We also want to offer the community something to look forward which is why early in the lockdown process we decided to do a free concert for all as soon as we could once we were back as a full band. As we have been away so long we need to make that concert even more special so we are looking to make a larger event and bring something amazing to Manchester. We have had very little opportunity to raise any money this year so anything we raise will be a massive help and bonus. 

We also want to get back to rehearsing in person, to do this we want to purchase some 'covid secure' products that will help us do this. From hand sanitiser to music stands we are reviewing everything to make it as safe as possible. 

About Blackley Band

Founded as a Home Guard Band during World War 2 the Blackley Band has served North Manchester for over 75 years. With a rich and successful history we have performed across the North West and even visiting the Royal Albert Hall on a couple of occasions. In recent years we have moved with the times and started to share our music making and entertainment values across Europe with performances in France and Germany. 

Under the musical direction of Adie Smith we have transitioned quickly in to the online world during this pandemic with videos being produced since the start of lockdown. We took part in the virtual Manchester VE Day service with our first distanced video of Abide With Me, since then our confidence and skills have evolved and we recently placed 5th in the Cory Online Entertainments Contest with a 10 minute programme of lockdown inspired music. We have grown our presence on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter which has allowed us to continue to feel part of the community but we can't wait to be back together and performing as a band. 

About Save Our Brass Bands

Brass bands exist in every corner of the UK, with over 30,000 people of all ages and standards taking part in weekly activity – rehearsing, performing and providing entertainment for their local community.

But we risk losing this forever.

Brass Bands saw their main source of income disappear in an instant when they ceased being able to perform in March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Months later, we still don’t know when normal performances will be able to take place. A significant loss in income over the Summer months, paired with necessary expenditure needed to make rehearsal spaces Covid compliant means that many Brass Bands are in a perilous financial situation.

Without urgent support, we could lose our nation’s amazing Brass Bands. Please help us to make sure they survive this crisis and will be there to be enjoyed by future generations.

#SaveOurBrassBands

Please donate, share this page widely and do what you can to help us to make sure our Brass Bands survive this crisis.