Friends and Patrons
Why we need your support
The charity receives no public funding and is run entirely by volunteers. Two thirds of our income comes from ticket sales, with the remainder from Friends, Patrons and Sponsors. In 2023 there was a £7,000 gap between total costs and ticket sales and we expect this to be greater in future years. We believe we have to raise £10,000 a year from Friends, Patrons and Sponsors.
Some valuable features of the festival are particularly difficult to resource. These include the Festival Gala Concert, the Singing Competition and the educational activities. The Gala Concert involves a small orchestra and rarely covers the costs of the venue and musicians. The ticket income of our Singing Competition is very low. Tickets for young people are heavily subsidised at all concerts. We therefore need additional revenue to continue to bring high calibre musicians and valuable educational opportunities to a wide audience in a rural location at affordable prices.
Support us by becoming a Friend or Patron
By becoming a Friend or Patron you will help the charity to continue to bring amazing music to this part of the Cotswolds. You will receive advance opportunities to buy tickets, and if possible reserved seating, however the main benefit you will receive is the knowledge you are making a huge contribution to our work.
If you are a UK tax-payer we will be able to increase the value of your support by 25% through gift aid. It means that for every £1 that you donate, we can claim an extra 25p back from HMRC.
Friend - donations from £30 (single Friend) / £50 (couple) a year
Our Friends are our most loyal supporters, and some have been Friends since our inception. By being a Friend you receive:
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Friends and Patrons newsletters
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An invitation to attend a Friends, Patrons and Sponsors launch event
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Opportunities to meet other Friends
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Reserved seating (where possible)
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Priority booking one week before general sales
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Friends who donate £100 or more are acknowledged in the Festival programme and on our website
Patron - donation in excess of £1,000 a year
Since the Festival started, we have been extremely fortunate in having a small number of people who have supported us very generously through significant financial donations. In 2024 we hope to attract a small number of new Patrons as well. By being a Patron you will receive:
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Friends and Patrons newsletters
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An invitation to attend a Friends, Patrons and Sponsors launch event
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Reserved seating (where possible)
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Super priority booking period
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4 complimentary tickets for an event of your choice
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Acknowledgment as a Patron in the Festival programme and on our website
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An opportunity to meet artists during the Festival
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An opportunity to meet the Festival team and trustees at least once a year