Support York R I Band

Aim

Please help us raise £5000 so we can represent the North of England at the National Finals in Cheltenham on the 18th & 19th September 2021.

York R I 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. 

Why are we crowdfunding?

In March 2020 the band qualified to represent the North of England at the National Brass Band Finals in September. Because of Covid the finals have been rescheduled to September 2021. The band has lost all its engagement and donation income through 2020 and our opportunity to raise income through concerts and other fundraising will very likely continue to be severely impacted by Covid government restrictions through 2021 which puts at risk the band being able to attend the National Finals.

If the National Finals is postponed again in 2021 because of Covid monies raised from this appeal will be used for the benefit of the York Railway Institute Band Section as a whole for other running costs such as insurance, bandroom rental, instrument maintenance and new music making the organisation sustainable for the long term.

About York R I Band

York Railway Institute Band was established in 1883 by Noah Bruce and is York's oldest and most successful brass band. Originally named Chaucer Street Mission Band and later known as York and District Mission and Temperance Band, York Excelsior Brass Band, York Home Guard Band and Ebor Excelsior Silver Band, it took on the name of York Railway Institute Band after allying itself to York Railway Institute in 1952 - the majority of members being railwaymen at that time.

York R I Band is part of a family of bands with York R I Golden Rail and York R I Development Bands. The three bands comprise of almost eighty members offering opportunities from complete beginners to more seasoned players to perform music together and for the enjoyment of the people of York and the surrounding areas.

The band does not receive any financial support from the national railway companies but is mainly funded by performing concerts  and through public donations in particular carol playing sessions. Because of Covid restrictions the band's income has dried up as we are unable to do any of these activities.

The Band enjoys an excellent reputation for entertaining audiences and has played live on BBC Radio 1 with Lulu, performed concerts with Ken Dodd and was once conducted by Alan Titchmarsh in a rousing rendition of On Ilkley Moor Bar t'at live on Radio 2! The band is particularly proud of its association with the City of York and its participation in annual Act of Remembrance Parades.

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.

This project successfully funded on 24th January 2021