The Parish Council of Shotley Low Quarter successfully applied to the The RWE Innogy UK Kiln Pit Hill Windfarm Community Benefit Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland for £2,300 to help fund the first year start up costs of a Community Band.
The aims of the project were as follows:
The money provided helped buy music scores, music stands and some much needed instruments plus pay for an experienced band master to guide our musical journey.
Following the recent refurbishment of Whittonstall Church, it seemed appropriate to use this space for rehearsals and potentially concerts in the future.
Following the success of our first year; The RWE Innogy UK Kiln Pit Hill Windfarm Community Benefit Fund very kindly provided a further £1895 which is being used to continue to pay for our bandmaster fees and to support an adult "have-a-go" event, where adults can try out different instruments. We have recently received further money for bandmaster fees for a third year along with £5000 from County Durham Community Foundation to enable us to purchase instruments to support musicians, particularly those who play more unusual instruments.
Since 2014 we have continued to be funded by the RWE Community Fund and continue to practise in the church and play concerts in the local area. However, during the colder winter months (usually from October to Easter) we have started to rehearse at Broomley First School in Stocksfield.
The aims of the project were as follows:
- To create an all age concert band for instrument players of all standards
- To encourage inter-generational opportunities within the community
- To encourage more young people to continue playing an instrument at High School and beyond
- To encourage older residents who used to play an instrument in their youth to re-start
- To encourage adults to have-a-go at playing an instrument
The money provided helped buy music scores, music stands and some much needed instruments plus pay for an experienced band master to guide our musical journey.
Following the recent refurbishment of Whittonstall Church, it seemed appropriate to use this space for rehearsals and potentially concerts in the future.
Following the success of our first year; The RWE Innogy UK Kiln Pit Hill Windfarm Community Benefit Fund very kindly provided a further £1895 which is being used to continue to pay for our bandmaster fees and to support an adult "have-a-go" event, where adults can try out different instruments. We have recently received further money for bandmaster fees for a third year along with £5000 from County Durham Community Foundation to enable us to purchase instruments to support musicians, particularly those who play more unusual instruments.
Since 2014 we have continued to be funded by the RWE Community Fund and continue to practise in the church and play concerts in the local area. However, during the colder winter months (usually from October to Easter) we have started to rehearse at Broomley First School in Stocksfield.