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The fund exists to help players and staff of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in times of bereavement or ill health. The Orchestra is in constant demand, performing and rehearsing on a daily basis, recording and travelling as cultural representatives all over the world. Each member of the organisation has his or her own vital role to play and players have to be in the best mental and physical condition to discharge the often extremely exacting performances demanded by composers for their music.
Having a long established Benevolent Fund enables the Orchestra to fulfil its obligations to an ever more challenging schedule of performing to the public, secure in the knowledge that individual health problems will keep a member off work for the shortest time possible. Not only does this keep the orchestra team working together without much interruption but the individual doesn't have such a difficult time getting out of practice and then getting back in practice again.
Woodwind and Brass players need the best dentistry in order to maintain the mouth shape that they have perfected their technique with. String players and percussionists are often troubled with 'repetitive strain injury' in their wrists or back and shoulder problems. Unfortunately these problems are rarely dealt with by the N.H.S. and if they were it might well take too long. The Fund contributes to, or pays for, whatever treatments or therapies are necessary to get the member back to work.
So where does the money come from? Each member of the fund pays an annual subscription - 8% of weekly tutti salary, not a prohibitive amount; everyone in the CBSO at present is a member. The main source of income is our annual fund-raising concert, which we perform on a 'free day' (unpaid) and we somehow always manage to find a conductor and a soloist who will perform for expenses only. This concert is also an opportunity to invite our growing number of retired members, who after giving most of their lives to performing or promoting classical music in Birmingham, can sit and enjoy listening to us working hard for them. A small but committed group of medical, legal and financial 'friends from the audience' are also invited to the concert in appreciation of the help and advise they give us.
Some people for whom the CBSO has meant a great deal in their concert-going lives show their gratitude to the players and staff by leaving a small legacy to the Fund, or just sending a donation. If you might be one of these people yourself, please get in touch with our Treasurer of the CBSO Benevolent Fund at the CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham B1 2LF.
From the financial point of view, the CBSO Benevolent Fund is completely independent from the CBSO Society Ltd. Please visit the main CBSO site for information on all other concerts and activities of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.