The City of Birmingham Brass Band (CBBB) 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. The City of Birmingham Brass Band is no exception. 

Dating back to the second world war, the band has a proud history within our great city. As a charity our only income is raised through performing concerts throughout the year. We get no funding from the city council or any other corporate bodies. Unfortunately, due to the COVID restrictions, we have not been able to perform and, therefore, have not had any income this year. With our normal expenditure still being paid out we are now in dire financial need. We have launched this crowdfund to help us out through this period and allow us to continue serving our great city. Donors will be offered rewards to thank them for their generosity!

(Stratford Band Stand)

Why are we crowdfunding?

The City of Birmingham Brass Band were soon to embark on a five year strategic plan which should have seen this small community based group grow beyond recognition. Although in the very early stages of the plan, we hope to develop our offering to people of Birmingham. It is hoped that the plan will include greater youth engagement, cross cultural projects and huge expansion of our banding.

Sadly, due to COVID restrictions, we are now in financial difficulties having to maintain our outgoings during a 12 month period where we have seen no income. 

Your donations will be used to help us pay our rehearsal venue costs, uniform and instrument maintenance. It is also hoped that the funding will also help launch the new 5 year plan to secure the band for generations to come. 

About The City of Birmingham Brass Band

The City of Birmingham Brass band are a young-minded, progressive, friendly band with levels of energy and drive to develop rarely seen within the Brass band world. Our members come from many different backgrounds and experiences. The members are extremely proud of its achievements over the last couple of years and have had the privilege of being part of many exciting projects. These have included playing at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year; representing Birmingham at the WW1 'Godmother' celebrations in Albert, France; and, opening the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Markets with a fanfare from the balcony of the council house, to name but a few!

The band also worked extremely hard in the preparation for the national championships and were rewarded with an outstanding second place! Due to this we were promoted from the fourth to the third section of the national brass band league tables. This is testament to the dedication and commitment of the players and a sign of the great things to come!

Socially the band is extremely important to its members. It has helped a number of players through the last year with anxiety and mental health. Live music is well known for emotional well being and this is an area we are keen to develop our offer for the communities of Birmingham through our new 5 year project.

 Sports Personality of the Year staging:

Performing at the Sports Personality of the Year:

Final rehearsal in France prior to main performance:

Band Socialisation - essential for mental and emotional well being:

Frankfurt Christmas Market:

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.