Estimated Price

£1,000

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Project Summary

To encourage everyone to come along and enjoy a musical afternoon with brass band and choir. Music stirs the soul and is uplifting and brings people together, encouraging all age groups to attend and brighten their spirits in our musical Garnock Valley.

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Project Description

A concert is often seen as old-fashioned, but following covid the evidence suggests that older folk in particular are reluctant to venture out, especially at night. Consequently our Musical Afternoon  says it all. We will arrange a concert featuring Irvine and Dreghorn Band (or other band as avaialble), recent winners at the West of Scotland Brass Band Assoication. They will be supported by the talented choir of Kilbirnie New Parish Church. We will celebrate

Hall Hire (£200); Irvine and Dreghorn Band £500; Choir cost: £200;  Purvey at Interval for band and choir and audience: £100 Total: £1,000. Explanatory note on expenditure viz. This event will take place in early Spring or Autumn 2026, depending mainly on availability of band and choir which cannot be finalised at this time.  We know that the cost of the event will be more than £1,000 applied for but the additional expenses involved will be funded by Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club and Beith Lasses and Lads Burns Club and the raffle at our 81st Annual St Andrew's Dinner will go towards supporting this event where expenditure exceeds the £1,000 grant applied for. What is certain is that the cost of the band and choir will be fixed and depending on the venue, the normal charge is £200, but that may increase slightly by the time the concert is organised. It is important in our view to provide the audience with light refreshments at the interval and such costs will be provided by our two sponsor Burns Clubs.

The concert would last for just over 2 hours. featuring the band and choir in the first half and the choir and band in the second half. The last concert was graced by the presence of Provost Anthea Dickson and Kenneth Gibson MSP and various elected members of North Ayrshire Council. All were delighted with the concert and encouraged the organisers, Barrmill Jolly Beggarts Burns Club, to consider holding more. The event organiser, Kathleen Reid, is joint treasurer of the Jolly Beggars and has the required skills and ability to successfully deliver this concert.

Having organised previous concerts there is clearly a demand for them as the comments from attendees was very positive indeed. Last concert comments included: "Fantastic, best day ever." "I didn't realize how versatile a brass band could be." "The concert was truly inspirational and the commitment of the band and choir was very special indeed." I had goose-bumps with the band playing:The Dam Busters theme." "Can you let me know when the next concert is being held please."

The available evidence suggests that getting folk out of their homes - older folk and the younger generation - into a welcoming environment encourages health and well-being and meeting others at such inter-generational events helps build community spirit. We firmly believe that actively encouraging music gives a boost to everyone. Music is often described as a universal language that connects people across cultures and time periods.The old adage remains forever true: Music makes you smile and enriches every aspect of your being.