Driffield Silver Band CIO, which encompasses Driffield Silver Band, Driffield Community Band and East Riding Youth Brass Band, has successfully registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This new status recognises the organisation’s ongoing commitment to advancing musical education and providing opportunities for people of all ages to participate in brass banding across the East Riding.
The charity supports musicians from beginner level through to experienced performers, offering a pathway for young people to develop their musical skills while also providing lifelong opportunities for adults and children to enjoy making music within the local community.
Becoming a registered charity brings several benefits to both the organisation and the wider local community. Registered charity status enables the band to apply to for a wider range of grants and funding opportunities, helping to secure the future of its musical activities and outreach programmes. It also allows the organisation to claim Gift Aid on eligible donations, increasing the value of public support at no extra cost to donors. These additional funding opportunities will help Driffield Silver Band, Driffield Community Band and East Riding Youth Brass Band to invest in instruments, music resources, training and educational initiatives, ensuring that more members of the Driffield community can access high-quality musical experiences regardless of their background or financial circumstances.
The band are particularly interested in forming links with local schools and care homes to provide entertainment for students and residents, the band’s setlists can be tailored to your events to set the tone perfectly. If you have an event which you would like any of the three bands to perform at, please contact the band on events@driffieldband.com where a member of the bookings team will be happy to assist you with your enquiry.
Alongside its new charitable status, the organisation is launching two new initiatives designed to encourage greater community involvement. A new “Friends of Driffield Silver Band” scheme will give supporters the opportunity to contribute to the charity’s work and stay closely connected with its activities, even if they do not play an instrument.
The charity is also establishing a “Volunteers Army”, inviting local people to support the organisation in a non-playing capacity. Volunteers will be able to assist with concerts, fundraising events, transport, administration, marketing, community projects and other behind-the-scenes activities that are essential to the success of the organisation.
The two new schemes aim to make it easier for local residents, former players, family members, music supporters and businesses to become involved and help sustain brass banding in the region.
A spokesperson for the organisation said: “achieving charitable status is a significant step forward for Driffield Silver Band CIO. It strengthens our ability to support musicians of all ages, preserve the rich tradition of brass banding and continue delivering cultural and educational benefits to the communities we serve. We are also excited to launch both our Friends Of scheme and Volunteers Army, creating new opportunities for people to support out work and become part of our brass band family.”
The organisation hopes that its new charitable status will help build on its proud, almost 190-year, history while creating even more opportunities for local people to participate in and enjoy brass band music for years to come.
Anyone interested in joining the Friends of Driffield Silver Band scheme or becoming part of their Volunteer Army is encouraged to contact the organisation for further information. The organisation is contactable on admin@driffieldband.com for all enquiries.