The Townsville Citizens Brass Band Association are now able to continue sharing their music with the wider community after receiving $5,250 to purchase four new cornets, thanks to our Queensland Country Good for Good Community Grant.
Conductor Heather Orr said the new instruments would enable the recently formed Beginner Band to provide an affordable way for children to learn to play a brass instrument.
“Brass instruments are expensive, and buying a decent instrument to start learning on is cost-prohibitive to most families with young children,” said Ms Orr.
“The Queensland Country Good for Good Community Grant enabled us to purchase four new cornets, which is the instrument that many beginners will start on, and means that we can give more kids the chance to join the Beginner Band and start learning music.
“In addition to creating music, the children learn other valuable skills such as self-discipline, team work and problem solving, and gives them the opportunity to socialise with other kids with similar interests who they might not otherwise have the chance to meet.”
Ms Orr said that attracting younger members was crucial to the growth of the association and the purchase of the new instruments would contribute to their ongoing growth and ability to perform at community events.
“It’s part of our succession plan to grow the association from grass roots,” she said.
“Our Brass Academy allows students to learn a brass instrument through affordable membership fees and lessons with an instrument provided as part of the program.
“As the students progress, they have the opportunity to move through a series of four levels of banding in the Townsville Citizens Band Association.”
Applications for the 2021 Queensland Country Good for Good Community Grants are open from tomorrow, Tuesday, 20 July 2021. Eligible not-for-profits are invited to apply for a share of $100,000 in grant funding for projects valued between $5000 - $30,000 in areas of sport and recreation, health, education, environment, and arts, culture and heritage.
“We’re looking to support projects that enable people to participate, experience, grow, learn, reach out, connect, make a difference and be safe in our communities,” said Mr Newman.
“This is a great opportunity for community groups to consider what projects or equipment they could really benefit from if they were to obtain grant funding.
“The Townsville Citizens Brass Band Association is a great example of how our Queensland Country Good for Good Community Grant funding can make a positive long-term impact, and as a member-owned bank, we’re committed to continuing to support the communities in which we live and work.”
This is the fifth year that we have run our Good for Good Community Grants program and it follows our long history of supporting the community through grants with over $2.5 million injected into Queensland community projects since 2005.
Applications for the Queensland Country Good for Good Community Grants will close 5.00pm Tuesday, 5 October 2021.
