Thurso's Community Wind Band Day is 'music with a purpose'
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A Community Wind Band Day in Thurso, which has the twin goals of reviving the wind band scene in the county and raising funds and awareness for a deserving local charity, is looking for musicians to dust down their instruments and join them in a day of joyful creativity.
The free event will be held on Sunday, February 4 at Thurso Royal British Legion and is open to any community musicians who play a wind band instrument. And while there is no charge for participation, the organisers are supporting Arran’s Appeal to raise funds for Anthony Nolan, and awareness of the Stem Cell Register.
On the day, local conductors Susie Dingle and Karen Anderson will lead musicians, from advanced, through rusty, to beginners, in a fun musical repertoire. More advanced players will be stretched with an appropriately challenging piece in the morning before being joined by adult learners and under 16s in the afternoon. The day will culminate in a 3.30pm performance for family and friends.
As well as aiming to revive the local musical scene, which has taken a hit since the Covid-19 pandemic, inspiration for the day is 11-year-old local violin player Arran Macleod, who had a stem-cell transplant when he was a wee boy. Last year Arran got the news that he requires to have a second transplant, a situation which is very unusual.
Thankfully there is a match for Arran on the cell transplant list, but that is not the case for every person in his situation. While he waits for his transplant, instead of focussing inwards and giving in to his fear, the generous lad is hoping to help others who may find themselves needing the same life-saving treatment.
Through his JustGiving page, Arran is looking to raise £6000 for Anthony Nolan, a charity that saves the lives of people with blood cancer. But he also has the ambition to recruit 150 potential new donors to the Cell Transplant List. That’s a tall order; donors need to be between the ages of 16 and 30 years of age. The hope is that as well as members of the general public, some of the young musicians who attend will also register, to help save lives like Arran’s.
Thurso’s Community Wind Band Day has been funded by Jennifer’s Fund, which was established in 2022 by co-directors of The Cairngorm Group, Chris and Scott Dowling and their father David, in memory of their sister, and daughter, Jennifer. The mother of three school-aged children, was diagnosed with cancer in February 2021, and lost her life to the disease in July that same year.
Jennifer’s Fund aims to distribute a minimum of £10,000 to local good causes every year, to keep Jennifer’s name and memory alive. Chris, Scott, and David have vowed to support causes that were close to Jennifer’s heart, and this one fits the bill perfectly.
“Not only will the day help to create memories for those who attend and watch the performance,” said Chris Dowling, Jennifer’s brother, “but by supporting Arran’s fundraising and recruitment drive for stem cell donors, it will also help to save lives.
“We know ourselves how devastating it is to lose a family member to cancer, and anything that prevents even one other family from going through what we experienced, is something that has our full backing and support.”
Speaking in advance of the day, organiser Katrina Gordon from Caithness Music said: "We're excited for the Wind Band Day – we've already had some 'old timers' saying that they plan to dust off instruments they've not played for years, and we've also had interest from children who have never played in a band before, so that's very exciting. The Legion have offered us the venue at a discounted rate and has also offered to make a donation towards Arran's Appeal so that's another win already.”
She added: “Thanks so much to the administrators of Jennifer's Fund for the money to make the day happen. The whole fund has got a real feel-good factor, and this grant has caused such positive ripples of generosity and enthusiasm throughout our community. It’s just brilliant.”
For more information and to sign up for the Community Wind Band Day on February 4, check out the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1690646531464296/
To donate to Arran’s Fund: www.justgiving.com/page/arran-macleod-1701453258573
To join the register as a stem cell donor: www.anthonynolan.org/
