DMA Brass Band Project - Music of the Miners' Gala

About the band

The Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band (DMA) is a Second Section band formed in September 2009 by the amalgamation of Broughtons Brass Band and Hetton Silver Band. The name reflects the longstanding association that Broughtons Brass Band had with the Durham Miners’ Association and previously the Durham Area National Union of Mineworkers. We currently have 37 dedicated and active members of the band varying in age, the youngest being 13 years old.

Why are we Crowdfunding?

On average, the band perform at 25 concerts and 5 contests annually.

In previous years, the band has toured Belgium, France and Germany, visiting communities with similar coal mining heritage to that of ours, and have had the privilege of playing at the Menin Gate service in Ypres ...

... and had the rare privilege to have been invited to play in Cologne Cathedral.

2020 started well for the band! In March we qualified for National Finals, due to take place in September at Cheltenham Racecourse. Unfortunately, like most things, the finals were cancelled.

Throughout lockdown, we decided to keep our spirits high and have some fun creating numerous lockdown performance videos which have been shared and viewed far and wide! We even made it onto the radio!

Usually, a highlight of the year is being able to march on behalf of the Durham Miners’ Association at the Durham Miners’ Gala. 2020 was to be the Gala's 149th anniversary but due to the global pandemic, this too was cancelled.

Our Project

Knowing how much joy and entertainment the Miners' Gala brings to the thousands who flock to the streets of Durham, we would like to record a CD filled with Gala classics. This will allow those from far and wide to enjoy the sounds of the day, whilst  also commemorating 150 years of the Gala.

We anticipate that the choice of music will be carefully selected to reflect the different stages of a bands journey through the Gala, from the early morning start at Redhills with a rousing march, entertaining the crowds in Durham Market Place with good old sing-alongs, to remembering those who worked and died in the mines in the reflective Miners Service in Durham Cathedral.

Help us go one step further and make this an inclusive, local community project! 

Due to Covid-19 and multiple lockdowns, our community has seen a rise in unemployment and a lack of available work, especially for those in the arts and entertainment sectors. Therefore, we would like to try and make a difference to some of our local entrepreneurs by offering the opportunity for a local artist, poet and sound technician to be a part of the overall CD production.

All donations are greatly appreciated to try and make this project a success!

Due to minimal fundraising opportunities this year, producing this CD will use a substantial amount of the bands funds. As well as conductor fees and transportation hire for percussion and larger instruments, we anticipate costs to be:

• Professional recording (sound technician and equipment) - £900*
• Artwork design and cover printing - £500*
• Production of 500 CD's - £700

*Opportunity for local artist to be involved 

Never been to Durham Big Meeting? Here is what it's all about ...

Every year, on the second Saturday in July, more than 200,000 people march in Britain’s biggest celebration of trade union and community values – the Durham Miners’ Gala. The Gala is not like a normal trade union march. In fact, it has no start time, no finish time and no one place of assembly. Traditionally, the colliery bands would march through their villages starting early in the morning and then make their way to Durham from all directions and, in the main, that tradition remains today.The procession can take three to four hours to pass the main focal point of the County Hotel due to the huge numbers attending and the frequent pauses at the hotel. However, a wonderful atmosphere of street theatre is created there making the occasion more a fiesta than a march.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, The Durham Miners' Gala was unable to take place on the second Saturday in July 2020. However, we hope it will return in 2021 for its 150th anniversary.

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.