Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band
Trustees Annual Report
&
Annual accounts for the year ending March 2021
Aims of the charity
To promote the education of brass band music to any interested person, regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin or physical ability, in order to maintain the tradition of brass banding into the future. We take our organisation out to perform to the general public as often as practical in order to entertain and keep them aware of our existence.
The band is run entirely by unpaid volunteers, with the exception of the Musical Director who receives payment for expenses. Band members and non-playing volunteers give their time free of charge and meet their own expenses in attending rehearsals, events and concerts. Membership of the band does not require subscription and where required; instruments are provided free of charge removing any financial barriers to membership.
The trustees recognise the contribution of all these volunteers, without whom the charity would not function.
Management Team and Charity Trustees (as of 4/1/22)
Management Team
Thomas Burns (Chairperson) Heather Ward (Secretary/Band Manager) William McDonald (Assistant Secretary/Grants) Julie Carmichael (Treasurer) Glenis Smith (Band Sergeant) Julie Peel (Librarian) David Peel (Committee member) Kath Price (Committee member) Helen Douglas (Committee member) Philippa Smith (Committee member) Catherine Alderson (Committee member) Lucy Harris (Committee member)
Charity Trustees
Thomas Burns Heather Ward Julie Carmichael
Band Activities
Competitions
The band began the contesting season well with a 2[nd] place in the Regional Contest in March 2020 and qualification to the National Finals that was due to be held in September 2020. However just 2 weeks after the contest the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to all in person contests for all bands for the rest of the year. We took the band “on line” and produced some “lockdown videos” which involved learning new recording techniques by all players and a sharp learning curve in editing techniques by one of the players. It meant that we were in a position to enter an online contest organised and funded by The Cory Band who had received funding from the Arts Council to do this.
The Regional contest in March 2021 was cancelled but band did eventually get to the finals in September 2021 and came a creditable 6[th] .
Concerts and practices
Following discussion between Brass Bands England and the Department of Digital,Culture,Media and Sport, brass bands were able to meet outside in 6’s to practice during the summer of 2020 then afterwards inside playing 2m apart with stringent risk assessments. The band were one of the first in County Durham to return to practices thanks to engagement with Brass Bands England and the DCMS. In July 2020 the band helped to put together the online Miners Gala and engaged with other local bands to organise recordings of 6 players playing outside, these were then shown as part of the day’s celebrations online through the social media channels of the Friends of the Miners’ Gala. There were a number of local lockdowns which curtailed being able to play together again, but the band were fortunate to be able to be invited to take part in “A Very Country Christmas” which was recorded in the early autumn and shown on BBC1 at Christmas 2020. The band also recorded a Christmas Concert at that time which was then streamed at Christmas 2020 through our sponsors social media and also that of Durham Cathedral, where the band usually play on Christmas Eve. The only public performance we were able to give was carolling in our local neighbourhood.
Support and Fundraising
Throughout the year the management team have continued to ensure that the band’s finances are in order and money has been spent wisely during lean times. During the year March 2020 to March 2021 our paid concert program was reduced by over 95%. The local community again supported the band at Christmas with our caroling efforts which brought in much needed income.
As the band was unable to raise money through performance we applied for and were fortunate to receive grants from the Government (administered by the Local Council).
As our MD was unable to receive his normal expenses as we were unable to practice for much of 2020, we were able to give him a contribution on an ad hoc basis for his work and expenses raised while producing our lockdown videos.
A local councillor offered us a grant which we used to add to our savings to buy a new trombone for the 2[nd] trombone player as their instrument needed replacement.
Development Activities
Throughout the lockdowns we created opportunities to keep all associated with the band involved but also providing goals to aim for in attempt to maintain motivation. We’ve had Covid secure rehearsals (when allowed),
Arban challenges, quizzes, zoom management / band meetings. It has been important for us to keep active as a band and to support our players in maintaining good mental health.
During the first lockdown, 2 members of the band kept the Safeguarding requirements up to date by attending an online training session run by the Safeguarding lead at Brass Bands England.
The band took part in the fundraising project organised by Brass Bands England and the fundraising platform Crowdfunder, which was a national campaign to help bands raise money and we were pleased to be able to raise sufficient funds to make a CD, the sales of which will bring in extra funds in the future. A wider aspect of making the CD was that we could plan to pay a local sound engineer to record the band, run a poetry competition, which had a huge amount of engagement amongst both local people and people who had moved away from the area, but still considered the Northeast “home”. 3 poems were chosen which will be recorded on the CD. A local artist was also engaged to produce original artwork for the CD cover.
Summary and plans for 21/22
The Covid pandemic has meant that many of our plans had to be put on hold. We look forward to completing our CD and taking part in many more Contests and Concerts (Covid permitting).
The band are looking forward to playing at events associated with the Notting Hill Carnival in August 2022 and welcoming our “exchange” band to the Miners’ Gala in July 2022.
We will continue with our efforts in promoting Youth Development and providing opportunities for youth players to play alongside experienced players and the band will strive to play at the highest possible standard at contests and concerts across the region and country.
Accounts – see next page
Durham Miners Association Brass Band Annual Accounts year ending 31$1 March 2021 Re¢elpts 2019120 2020121 Concerts Grants Donations CD Sales Inieresl Pri7.e M()Ii¢y Crowd Fui)din Sale ol. Insirumenis AmazonlPaypal D(Jnations Coniesi fee r¢fund 5750.12 351X).(X) 1490.03 445.35 23.19 350.(KI nil 75.(K> 21836.71 1060.03 9.57 125.(K) 3093. 5IN>. 47.22 275.00 1163.7.69 26946.53 Payments CnnduLior PlayLr HirL' Room Hire Tronspc)rt ConiL'st Fees Insurance CJills/Enienainineni Of]iL¢ supplieCleanP0sI Instrumcnis/lnsi. Repairs MusiLISiands Unilonns PRS Regisiry Sundries Web.%itc Hosting CD Pn)duciion Vid¢0 PrcKIuLtion Donation Duruni BYBB Cheltenham 4?1 O.(Kl 1.270.(MI 1.025.00 285.(K) 658.00 896.50 53.20 85.14 I fAO.73 423.19 165.(K) 71.94 295.(X) 287. 1975.(K) 40.(10 896.50 80.(K) 67.11 3304. 161.20 247.50 150.00 145. 235.00 440.00 66.(K) Nil 1420.40 (11666.70) (8926.71)
Net Receipt5 (Paymellts) (33.01) 18019.82 Instruments 139909 Insurance Valuation Music & Unifornis 17069 Insurance Valuation Photocopier 480 157458 THAT Tb 5efT OF TF4E F>c 2ol.)ILI A TLve Airtfyk( ) AAT .3oT4 Ser[et£ JoJi