Celebrity backing for BBE Crowdfund appeal
TV and radio star to back Brass Bands England’s national Crowdfunder campaign
Brass Bands England has announced that celebrity and longtime baritone player, Melanie Sykes, is to back its national #SaveOurBrassBands Crowdfunder appeal, launched in tandem with other national bodies to raise existential funding for bands through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bands can set-up a free page and add a range of unique rewards, ranging from personalised Christmas performances, to online lessons at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-brass-bands
Speaking about the #SaveOurBrassBands campaign, Melanie Sykes commented: “I’ve been involved in brass bands since I was about eight years old and, going to band as a child, was a very good education on teamwork, sticking to rules, discipline of practice, communication and listening, but mostly it was fun! My father, Robert Sykes, is a brass bandsman, like his father before him, who was also a composer and conductor. My dad plays euphonium and conducts, and he taught me the basics on an old trumpet we had at home. He actually taught my whole family and did private lessons for others too.”
Expressing delight about Melanie Sykes’ backing, BBE’s CEO, Kenny Crookston, said: “We are delighted to welcome Melanie Sykes on board, to help us do this, and hope that every band in the country will consider the benefits of getting on board to help both themselves and each other raise as much cash as possible!”
Save Our brass bands is open to all bands in the UK and access to the online platform is free-of-charges for the duration of the campaign, and resources are provided by Crowdfunder to help bands maximise the return on their efforts. BBE believes that the real benefits of the campaign will be seen when as many bands as possible get involved and to raise the profile of the existential issues facing them at the current time.
The campaign runs from 17 November - 18 December.
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