The music charity responsible for Symphony Hall on Westside is asking the public to support its festive fundraising campaign to enrich the lives of the young and vulnerable through music.
The donations will enable B:Music, which also runs the Town Hall, to create 10,000 musical memories by supporting talent development, providing rehearsal and performance spaces, facilitating workshops, and making music accessible to all.
Many young and vulnerable people across Birmingham and the West Midlands are currently missing out on life-changing opportunities to make their own musical memories.
B:Music said it recognises that there aren’t enough dedicated spaces for local artists to access music and talent development opportunities.
Access to music in schools has also significantly dropped due to lack of funding, with fewer children benefiting from the many advantages that come with being actively involved in music-making from a young age.
As part of its December to Remember Christmas campaign, the charity is asking audiences, staff, artists and local businesses to show their support by making donations, purchasing memberships, or dedicating a seat to a loved one or a friend in the world-renowned Symphony Hall.
In recognition of all donations, B:Music are placing a named bauble in dedication on their Christmas tree in Symphony Hall.
These supporters are then invited to share their musical memories from Symphony Hall or Town Hall, to make December a time of reflection of the impact music can have.
With the money raised, B:Music will champion local talent such as critically acclaimed saxophonist, flautist and composer, Xhosa Cole, who joined the free-to-attend Jazzlines Ensemble sessions at Symphony Hall as a teenager and went on to win BBC Jazz Musician of the Year in 2018.
Xhosa, who was born in Handsworth, said: “Alongside many of the great community organisations that have supported young people in Birmingham, B:Music has been an integral part of my development as a musician in this great city. I’ve seen some life-changing gigs at Town Hall and Symphony Hall, learned some amazing lifelong musical lessons, played some of the best gigs of my life and made some great memories there.”
Louise Arnold, head of development and impact for B:Music, added: “The rising cost of living is affecting many people across the West Midlands, and we want to make sure every penny donated to our December to Remember campaign counts.
“A £7 donation will enable a child with complex needs to enjoy our annual Families Together at Christmas performance, or £10 will give an unpaid carer 90 minutes of
musical rest and relaxation (and a cup of tea!) at our Musical Meet Ups or will give a school child in Handsworth their first live music experience.” For more information, and to make a donation, visit: https://bmusic.co.uk/december-remember
