Saturday, July 31, 2010

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Support NYJO


In addition to the many concert performances and educational workshops around the country that NYJO undertakes each year, we also rehearse 2 bands – NYJO 1 & 2  – and a singing class each week. So how do we manage financially?

In the past, we’ve had financial support from WH Smith, C&A, British Gas, NatWest bank, Serco, the Worshipful Company of Musicians and Unison, plus regular sup­port from Arts Council England.

But three years ago we lost a tranche of government funding worth about £25K per annum, and have been losing money ever since. We have now exhausted our reserves. In addition, as Bill Ashton hands on the torch, the many subsidies that he and his family have given to the organisation will disappear, and must be replaced if NYJO is to continue. Our estimate of the external funding required is an additional £35,000 per annum.
 
Our Chairs Appeal (see below), launched on 16 February 2010, has already received pledges of support worth £20,000 per annum. So we are more than halfway to our target – but we do need to cover the remaining shortfall. Below are details of the various ways in which you can provide this much needed support – please help if you can.

  • Funding Partners:

NYJO currently receives a certain level of support from Arts Council England, the Musicians Benevolent Fund, and, for its annual appearance at Ronnie Scott’s Club, British Petroleum. This welcome support however is insufficient in itself to enable NYJO to fulfil the comprehensive educational and young musician development remit that is the reason for its existence.

  • Friends Of NYJO:

You can become a Friend of NYJO, and provide valuable practical assistance in the day-to-day running of the band that will enable NYJO to continue to provide a unique platform for young musicians to develop their skills. If you feel inspired to support one of the best big bands in the country and the young people who play with it, you can:

1)      Commission music – for yourself or a loved one. E-mail info@nyjo.org.uk to find out more.

2)      Come to a NYJO gig – and make an effort to bring a friend who’s never been before. Mention our gigs to friends and work colleagues and display posters in your workplace. Promote us on your local radio and with the local press – we can supply tracks to give to your radio station to play.

3)      Set up a regular order to receive NYJO albums, DVDs or CDs. E-mail info@nyjo.org.uk and we’ll ensure you receive new albums and so on as they are released.

4)      Above all, make sure you don’t miss any concerts in your area!

  • Covenants/Donations:

You can become a Partner in Excellence, and provide valuable financial assistance that will enable NYJO to continue to provide a unique platform for young musicians to develop their skills, via Gift Aid.

As a registered charity, there are tax advantages to both NYJO and its Partners. There are other benefits too. E-mail info@nyjo.org.uk to find out more about covenanting.

But it is vital that NYJO continues to receive the large number of smaller annual donations that so many supporters have generously given over the years, not least because they demonstrate the wide support for NYJO in the jazz community – we need as generous a donation as you can give.

To make a donation, just print off this Donations Form, complete it and send it with your donation to the address provided – just 1,000 donations of £25 would see us over two-thirds of the way towards our annual target.

     
  • ‘Chair’ Appeal:

This is a new Appeal to coincide with NYJO’s 45th birthday – sponsorship of individual ‘chairs’ in the Orchestra.

We’re looking for a small number of individuals and organisations to commit to support a specific ‘chair’ (e.g. second tenor, third trombone, drums) for 3 years, at a target rate of £1000 – £2000 per year.

Lords (Melvyn) Bragg, (David) Puttnam, (Tim) Clement-Jones, and (Anthony) Colwyn are Patrons of the NYJO Chair Appeal – so is the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, in the persons of MPs Michael Connarty and Bob Blizzard.

Dame Cleo Laine is a long-term Patron of NYJO, and the Wavendon Foundation is also providing support.

The ‘Chair’ Appeal launched in February – this chart shows the ‘chairs’ that have so far received support, but there are still un-funded positions. Please e-mail info@nyjo.org.uk if you are interested in sponsoring one of the remaining ‘chairs’.