I am organising a fundraising concert at St. Thomas’ in the centre of Stourbridge as it needs to raise a total of c£500k to restore it to its former glory, it being the only Grade 1 listed building in the borough, and at the heart of the local community for 275 years. I have lived in and around Stourbridge all my life and have a passion for music. I heard about the fundraising campaign and knew I had to get involved. I have teamed up with Keith Horsfall, CEO at Leaps & Bounds and RSA Birmingham Network Chair at Royal Society of Arts (RSA), in order to persuade many excellent musicians and singers, both amateur and professional, to come together on the Saturday 3rd December to present a performance of Handel’s Messiah in the church. They are all doing so willingly & enthusiastically!
The event will be of a very high standard – the soloists are all professionals and have an international reputation, including Nathan Vale who is a past chorister at St Thomas’ but is coming back to sing at the concert. All are giving their services for free. The same applies to the orchestra which comprises local musicians & teachers & former excellent local students as well as past players from the CBSO and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
The choir is made of singers both from the local area and further afield.
As we anticipate an audience of 300-350, the aim is to raise around £3k on the night and I would like to arrive at the situation where every penny contributed by the audience goes to the restoration appeal. With that in mind, therefore, I am asking local businesses if they could contribute in some way towards that goal. I think that production expenses will be around £500.
So, the offer is perhaps that your business may consider supporting the venture in one of 3 ways.
• £500 – Sponsorship of the event, with suitable acknowledgement in all publicity, press posters etc.
• £150 – Sponsorship of the programme
• £50 – an advert in the programme
We would also be really grateful for any contributions ‘in kind’ (which would, of course, be acknowledged) and could perhaps be the interval wine, programme printing etc.
I do hope that you feel that can support this event.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should require any further information.
With best wishes
David Herrington
