Bandamonium Celebrates Funding Success and New Patron Appointment
- Liv Appleton
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Bandamonium Celebrates Successful Arts Council Funding and Patron Appointment
Brass Bands England's Fundraising Service have announced that a popular event in the banding calendar, Bandamonium, has secured Arts Council england funding. This comes shortly after the organisation announced the appointment of one of the community's most beloved composers to the position of patron.
What is Bandamonium?
Bandamonium is a free, open-access festival taking place in rural Devon. The Bandamonium Festival bring together bands and musicians from across the UK for a weekend of live music in village squares, pubs and community spaces. After four years of organising the festival, Bandamonium has become a fully-fledged charity who are committed to relentlessly pursuing the objective of getting brass bands back in the public eye and to reinvigorate the movement.
Alongside their Devon-based event, which is hosted by Hatherleigh Silver Band the organisation has now founded a Bandamonium Festival in Yorkshire, which is hosted by Kirbymoorside Town Band.
Successful Funding Efforts
Alongside training band showcases and audience participation opportunities, this year's event will, for the first time, provide digital access through professional recording and lifestreaming. The project also includes significant organisational development activity, helping Bandamonium to strengthen governance, volunteer structures and long-term sustainability, ensuring the festival can continue to grow whilst remaining rooted in the communities it serves.
The Arts Council funding application was supported through Brass Bands England's Fundraising Service led by Beth Lambert, which provides bespoke advices, training and bid-writing upport to member bands and organisations.
Speaking about the successful fundraising initiative, Bandamonium founder, Tim Williams said:
"Beth was the driving force in our successful Arts Council England bid. She guided Bandamonium through a highly complex process with sage advice and a friendly, encouraging approach. Most importantly, she truly believed in our vision and project - we couldn't have done it without her."
Beth Lambert, BBE's Fundraising Service and Development Manager, added:
"We're absolutely delighted to see Bandamonium secure Arts Council England funding. Grassroots events like this are vital to the brass banding sector, creating welcoming opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to take part, whilst helping to widen and diversify audiences, particularly in rural areas, where access to art and culture can be limited. This project shows what's possible when community ambition is matched with the right support."
Bandamonium Appoints Philip Sparke as Patron
This news was announced after the organisation shared the appointment of respected composer, Philip Sparke, as their new patron earlier in the month.
Speaking about his appointment, Philip said:
"It is a great honour and privilege to be invited to serve as Patron of the Bandamonium Brass Band Festivals. These festivals offer a distinctive and inspiring vision of the brass banding world, presenting it in a modern, uplifting and engaging way, and bringing exceptional musical experiences to communities and audiences who might otherwise not encounter them.
The massed bands are a powerful highlight, revealing the rare magnificence of hundreds of musicians united in performance, playing together with purpose, passion and pride. Bandamonium stands as an invaluable force in securing the future of brass banding across the country, and its ongoing commitment clearly affirms why this charity holds such significance and merit
Bandamonium 2026, which will take place from the 24th to 26th July, will build on the festival's rapid growth and welcome over 900 musicians for a weekend of free cultural experiences.
If you're interested in finding out more about this incredible organisation and their festivals - check out the Bandamonium website.
Support It's Not a Trumpet
If you've enjoyed this post, please consider supporting It's Not a Trumpet. Your donation helps to keep the site free to access, funds our features, event coverage and will go towards creating opportunities for the banding community in the future!
If you'd like to help support the blog - please donate via the button below. Every penny goes back into the blog and creating new future opportunities to progress brass banding.
