Following two years of activity aimed at informing its future strategy, we're developing our Members’ Working Group, which will now be known as The Sounding Board.
The group, comprising individuals with an interest in brass bands and linked to our member organisations, has met quarterly since February 2023, and discussed a variety of topics relating to BBE’s offer and the wider banding culture. With priority subjects having now been identified, plans are in place to implement actionable strategies to support banding nationally.
Chief Executive Officer, Kenny Crookston, commented: “Having got off to a promising start, it's now time to take ideas forward and also expand the group to make room for more voices. We would like to encourage any individual members of BBE, or those linked to a member organisation, who have an active interest in the future of the brass band culture, to consider getting involved. We have already had some fascinating discussions that have informed many areas of our strategy.”
Shaping a positive future for brass bands
Kenny continued: “There is much to celebrate about brass banding and we are looking for people with the potential to add value to The Sounding Board’s work. We are hugely thankful for the efforts of those currently engaged and look forward to their continuing and extremely valuable input, especially as we explore more deeply the pressing matters of player shortages and issues facing contesting, among other hot topics. To the members of the brass band community, this is your chance to get involved in shaping what can be a very positive future if the right decisions are made and the wider community can see the benefits of getting behind it.”
Working group member Jack Capstaff added: “ I’ve got a lot of value out of sitting on the group. It has been a great source of inspiration to review and reflect on the issues we should be considering when creating a roadmap for the bands and organisations I am involved with, but also as a guide for BBE about what issues are pertinent to bands and banders, so that they can target their work, increase awareness in the areas that they are already supporting. All of this is so positive in helping us to strengthen brass bands not only for their own sake, but for the benefits to the community that we all know classical music has more widely.”
The Sounding Board meets four times a year (on Zoom) and is led by Kenny Crookston and Membership Services Manager, Rosie Banham.
Youth Voice working group
Our Youth Voice working group is an alternative option for those under 25s who might feel more comfortable contributing in a different format. For those interested in this group, please email sarah@bbe.org.uk.
How to apply
Full details can be found on the BBE opportunities page along with a Registration of Interest form. The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is 9.00am on Tuesday 6 May.
This opportunity is only available to individual members of Brass Bands England or those linked to a member organisation. Any questions about this opportunity can be emailed to member@bbe.org.uk.