My tuba quartet the Primo Tuba Quartet has recently been invited to play at the schools proms at the albert hall in november. Unfortunately two of the quartet are leaving the town we rehearse to go to study at music college in september. Therefore, as they as so far away from each other and us it is going to cost us more money than we have just to rehearse (ie travel expenses).

Does anybody have any ideas for funding for us as we are running desperately out of time and have not received any positive letters back from places we have written to.

Any ideas? Your help will be hugely appreciated.

Also - check out our website PrimoTubaQuartet.co.uk for more details on us.

Thanks

My first port of call would be the Educational Grants Directory. You can usually find it in the reference section of your local library or at your local Connexions Centre. It is a mine of useful information about local organisations that support educational endeavours.

Alternatively, ask your local Connexions service about local funding through the Intergrated Youth Support Service. In many areas youth services have funding to support young people with projects that they have started. You never know until you ask!

I hope you manage to raise the funds you need.

Good luck,

Lis

The directory is certainly a good starting point. I knew such a thing existed but didn't remember its name. It would probably also be worth asking the organisation that issued the invitation if they can suggest any sources of funding.

Good luck with your search and best wishes for the performance.

I have asked the organisation (music for youth) for their suggestions I didn't receive any positive responses from the companies they suggested. I have sent out over 50 letters to various organisations (mostly funders) with requests for small amounts over the last month. I was really hoping for atleast one or two good responses.

I will definitely look into what you suggested and I think I will probably call back Music for Youth today to say what is happening.

I've now had a chance to look at your site, which is very informative. I liked the un-fussy layout and it was easy to navigate. As you have been building a public profile with the concerts you have done so far I'm wondering if you have thought of contacting the local papers in the areas where you have played. You could remind them of your earlier concerts and ask if they would be interested in featuring the group's latest achievement, along with a mention of the problems caused by the expense of rehearsing together now you are going to be so far apart.

If you are still able to rehearse reasonably easily before the start of the college terms would it also be practical for you to contact local radio and see if they would like to do the same, with a little demo performance? Nothing venture, nothing gain... What could be better than a thoroughly positive local interest story about teenagers and endangered instruments! It would tick lots of boxes at once.

This might sound really random but have you tried anywhere like national express to see if they would give the other two free tickets to travel back or anything? sure they could milk it in advertising
I know that sounds really random, am just thinking off the top of my head
good luck with it hope you manage to find someone to help
xxx