The Brass Bands Emergency Fund 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. 

Why are we crowdfunding?

Brass Bands have been hit very hard by the crisis which has meant that brass band activity has been almost totally stopped in 2020. As the Covid-19 emergency continues to escalate, The Brass Bands Emergency Fund's priority is to support the brass banding community at this time of crisis. We know that for many bands this will result in a significant loss in income from concerts, contests and gigs that were planned in the two busiest times of year, summer and Christmas. 

Your donations will be used to support Bands who apply for help with ongoing costs such as rent, payments to teachers and conductors, and payment committed to ongoing projects. 

About the Brass Bands Emergency Fund

This crowdfunding is designed to help bands that are most in need, so that these lost earnings do not result in banding organisations collapsing altogether. 

Bands are able to apply directly for access to the funds raised to support them, with any of the following costs.

• Assistance with rent payments the band are committed to
• Assistance with payments for contracted conductors
• Assistance with payments for ongoing projects (i.e. set payments for commissions)

The fundraising campaign is organised by Brass Bands England. Funds will be distributed by the Charity to bands that apply and meet the criteria specified. BBE will not keep any of the funds raised, which will all be distributed to bands in urgent need of funds.

In addition to funds we will support bands with funding and governance training and support  them with writing applications to help them flourish once again. The Brass Bands Emergency Fund has already successfully supported several bands during the crisis but there are many others struggling still.  

The more we raise, the more we can help banding organisations survive to keep on making music on the other side of this pandemic. We need YOU, the people who are passionate about the importance of brass banding to support the community at this challenging time.

Documentary evidence will be requested to support all applications, which will be subject to approval by designated Brass Bands England Trustees, whose decision will be final. Details of how to apply will be available at www.bbe.org.uk/brass-band-emergency-fund

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.

About Brass Bands England

Brass Bands England is a membership organisation for brass bands made up over 400 bands, events, associations and traders. We are funded by Arts Council England as the Sector Support organisation for brass bands with our activities include advocacy for bands, negotiating deals for members, running workshops, events and training.