Calling all Band Supporters

We are setting up a social & fund raising group called "Phoenix Friends" who will be working with the band to organise social and fund raising events to raise the profile of the band in and around Crewkerne and to raise some much needed funds.

A Little Background

As with most things at the moment, bands are being hit with everyone "tightening their belts" so less money is being offered to bands for jobs / grants and so forth. Phoenix is a self funding, non profit making community group. Aside fees from engagements and donations from Christmas Carolling, the only other income the band gets is via our own players subscription fees. Our subscriptions have had to be increased to help cover running costs, but with a smaller number of jobs booked (and with less money being offered) we are looking to set up a social / fund raising group to support the band.

Our annual bill to cover the running of the band is in excess of £6,000 and this does not allow for any re-investment in instruments and music. Some of the instruments in the band are older than the players playing them, and we're not a young bunch. Therefore to ensure the band can continue to survive and to grow we're in need of help from any volunteers who have the time and fund raising ideas.

Everyone's Welcome

Phoenix is the only brass band in Crewkerne, and although we've only been running since 1995, Crewkerne has had a band associated with the town since the late 19th Century.

Photograph of Crewkerne Silver Band taken from the IBEW

Anyone is welcome to come along and join and where we can we will help supply an instrument if needed. We rehearse once a week, on a Tuesday evening in our own band room in Crewkerne. We are lucky to have a professional Musical Director, Tom Griffin, who ensures we maintain a high standard of musicianship.

The music we play varies with arrangements of classical, jazz, pop, film & stage scores and traditional brass band music. We can offer background music for fetes / tea parties, we can accompany other musical groups in concert or we can headline a concert ourselves.

We are always looking for new places and new audiences to play for, so if you are interested in having us perform at your event / concert then please get in touch.

Competitions

We are a contesting band, so we represent the town of Crewkerne at a number of competitions throughout the year. Last year (2016) we won our section at the Regional contest in March, so we were invited to compete at the National Brass Band Finals in Cheltenham last September.

Social & Fundraising Aims

We're looking for volunteers to join our "Phoenix Friends" who will meet regularly discuss ideas and to plan fund raising and fun social activities for the band, their friends and the wider Crewkerne Community.

The "Phoenix Friends" will be looking at ideas including:

• Barn dances
• Bingo nights
• BBQs
• Car boot sales
• Coffee mornings
• Raffles
• Quiz nights

Can You Help?

Helpers don't have to be associated with the band, in fact we'd welcome people from outside the banding family to come in and give their support.

This group is very much in it's infancy so we're looking for keen and committed people who would like to get involved, have some fun and help the band along the way.

If you think you would like to be involved, get in touch with Julia on 07710 625200.

Released On 26th Apr 2017