Jean Coates, guide dog user, started playing at Kirkby Stephen Brass Band last year "As a carer and with my sight-impairment, going to band has given me a new lease of life. It's affordable, local and loads of fun"
CumbriaBrass at Lowther Castle is a family day out in a fabulous setting aimed at engaging new audiences in brass bands.
With a 200 history of engaging communities in music and performing at high levels, brass bands may be our most invaluable community asset.
CumbriaBrass at the Castle marks a new network of bands across Cumbria which is securing the amazing skills and lifelong benefits of banding for coming generations.
But it won't happen without funding for marketing and travel. The event requires a strong digital marketing campaign and bands need help to transport their players and instruments to Lowther Castle on the event day. To ensure all bands can take part and minimise carbon footprint we need to fund 2 coaches.
What we'll deliver:
- Live - Brass at the Castle event at Lowther Castle - an inclusive celebration of music, community and heritage
- Digital marketing to enable bands in Cumbria to work together and pool resources
Why it's a great idea:
There is an increasing recognition of the mental, physical and social benefits of earning a musical instrument. Access to music-making locally however is often restricted by cost and opportunity. Brass bands offer an unrivalled, affordable, lifelong route into music-making for families and older people alike.
Bands are akin to small enterprises. With administration of members, libraries to catalogue, valuable instruments which need maintenance and regular events to manage, bands offer amazing skills-development and volunteer opportunities. Bands are part of the local economy - local solutions for e.g. social isolation, rural isolation, local economy.
The event will deliver these key messages to new audiences highly effectively. The network will get off to a strong start.
Steps to get it done:
- CumbriaBrass network is formed with an accompanying website - January 2024
- CumbriaBrass at the Castle - a family day out in glorious surroundings 29th June 2024
We are working with the Lowther Castle Estate and Brass Bands England's Brass Foundations team to ensure the smooth running and success of the event.
