Chapeltown Silver Prize Band at Christmas 2021

Chapeltown Silver Prize Band are part of a national initiative launched by Brass Bands England in conjunction with Crowdfunder, to help support UK brass bands this festive season following the Covid-19 pandemic. This also provides a chance for more people to enjoy a brass band this Christmas. #BrassBandsAtChristmas

During the Coronavirus pandemic, all our engagements for 2020 and early 2021 were cancelled, this resulted in the loss of our main source of income, whilst we still had our ongoing running costs such as insurance and storage at our regular rehearsal facility.

Once restrictions eased, we were able to get back rehearsing in a COVID safe environment, but this required additional expenditure to temporarily move to a larger venue that allowed us the space to maintain social distance and the purchasing of sanitising consumables and PPE to ensure the safety of all our members. We were very fortunate to receive some support from the local community, our Patrons and additional grant funding from Ecclesfield Parish Council, the Co-op local community fund and our local Asda and Jack's supermarkets through their token giving schemes. 

During December 2020, when Government guidelines allowed, we were able to perform outside in small groups. Christmas is traditionally a time when we, like many other brass bands are busy fundraising and the money we raise over the festive period helps to cover our running costs until our summer programme begins. Last year we provided a Crowdfunding reward of 'Carols on your Street' these rewards were very well received by the members of our local community who purchased them and demand far exceeded availability. One of the rewards was purchased by a company, who asked us to perform outside a Nursing home, we approached a local Nursing home and a small group played on their car park, we also performed outside a residential apartment block that is occupied by more senior members of our community.

About Chapeltown Silver Prize Band

Chapeltown Silver Prize Band, now based in High Green, North Sheffield, was formed during the 1870s and have always had our roots planted firmly in the community whose name we carry.

Pre COVID-19 the band was extremely active in the local community, performing self-promoted formal concerts at the Newton Hall, Chapeltown four times a year and performing, annually, on the bandstand in the park. On behalf of the Royal British Legion, we would lead the village Remembrance Day service and parade and participate in the community carols in the Memorial Gardens and The Wagon & Horses (Wetherspoons) each December. Despite there not being a parade in our community this year, some of our members, still paid their respects by playing the last post at St Saviour’s Church and laying a wreath at the ceremony at the Cenotaph. We hope that by November 2022 we will be able to return to the Remembrance Day services and parade that our community had in the past.

We are a family orientated band, with the players’ ages ranging from 15 to 70+. We are a self-funding band with our income coming from fees from engagements and fundraising, alongside generous donations from the local community and the loyal support of members of our patronage scheme. We are one of only a handful of bands playing at this level that survives without any form of commercial sponsorship. 

Local members of the community and our supporters all come together to attend our events, including those who are disabled or normally live in care homes. Live music can be therapeutic, and we believe musical events are a vital part of any community. We feel that following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, our supporters and local members of the community will be in greater need of the therapeutic benefits that live music can provide, especially the elderly, who may have been so isolated during the last 18 Months. We feel this could increase demand for our services and will benefit the health and wellbeing of both our players and members of our community.

How can you help? 

• Please make a donation if you are able to, or take a look at our fantastic range of rewards and consider purchasing one.
• Please spread the word and share our Crowdfunding page with your friends/family either on social media or by email or word of mouth. 

All the members of the band really do appreciate any support you are able to give. As a non-profit organisation, all the money we raise from fees for engagements, donations and fundraising projects like this is re-invested into the band to ensure its future.