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Original poster

What does MN think of crowdfunding for an instrument?

39 replies

cingolimama · 20/04/2017 11:27

Friend of mine's son (violinist) just got accepted into a junior conservatoire. The kid is seriously talented, but was advised to get a new instrument so he can cope with the demands of repertoire at his level. The family are on a low-income, and already receive a few grants and they would be able to exchange current instrument etc to cobble together some funds. However, a new violin and bow of the required standard would be around £3000, which is way more than they can afford.

I suggested crowdfunding. It's something that personally, I'd be happy to contribute to (I've been asked for various things in the past and usually cough up), but I know that some think it's "grabby". But if it's for education for a young person, as opposed to a holiday or a wedding, would that be okay with you?

MN jury, verdicts please....

OP posts:
Original poster
cingolimama · 21/04/2017 12:21

Thank you all very much - some excellent ideas here!

I consider myself to be pretty sussed about music grants, but I had no clue the arts council matched funding. Will investigate!

Nerk, yes I understand that many professionals don't actually own their instruments - as they can be incredibly valuable. He's not quite in that league yet, but will most likely consider that for the future.

Also, that's a very interesting idea about someone other than the family kickstarting the funding. That's something I could do.

Thanks again!

OP posts:
GaelicSiog · 21/04/2017 09:49

Seconding Natalia. It definitely looks less grabby not coming from the parents. I know a LOT of kids who had to give up expensive hobbies they were good at because their parents couldn't afford it. Of course it's not fair, but you can't donate to all of them.

NataliaOsipova · 21/04/2017 09:26

I'm on the fence on this one. I think it depends how it is worded and how aggressively it is pursued. Might also look better if, say, you started it off rather than the family themselves? Eg I'm trying to raise money for my friend's son. You can obviously email all their family and friends as well, but then it looks like a nice gesture from a friend who has herself contributed, rather than a money grab from the people themselves?

corythatwas · 21/04/2017 09:19

It's the kind of thing that I would like to leave money for in my will if I had money to spare. Crowd-funding sounds fine.

But as pp have said, also investigate other sources: there are funds kicking around out there that nobody knows about.

NeverTwerkNaked · 20/04/2017 21:29

I wonder if the conservatoire could suggest some ideas/contacts?
Or in our village we have a local charity that grants to Children from the village for educational grounds- their local parish council or similar may have contacts?

It's an amazing achievement for him, I am sure out there will be someone who can help.

A media campaign could work too? Someone might have a violin gathering dust that they would like to see played again

NeverTwerkNaked · 20/04/2017 21:26

(I.E. I think it becomes quite normal at a certain level for the owner and player of an instrument to be different people!)

NeverTwerkNaked · 20/04/2017 21:23

It's definitely worth them investigating options.
At a more advanced level, I used to write trust deeds so that a group of people could invest in (and own) an instrument that would be played by a professional violinist.

MrsEvadneCake · 20/04/2017 15:05

If you do crowd fund I suggest you look at the arts council matched funding. They give you half of you raise half. My husbands band have just successfully crowd funded for £4000 with matched funding.

2014newme · 20/04/2017 13:49

Did you see the family whose son won young musician of the year? The whole family are amazing musicians but struggling with the costs. A single string is £75.
I wouldn't contribute, although I see nothing wrong with crowdfunding, because I wouldn't pay for someone's child's hobby. I have enough on paying for my own! so no cut off point it's just not something I would do. If the son is that good parents will find a way as we all do!

Original poster
cingolimama · 20/04/2017 13:38

Thanks for the replies. I've suggested some grant giving bodies (my friend is aware of most of them), but hadn't thought of sponsorship from business, and will research that - thanks nonick.

2014 - why not contribute to a £3k violin? The quality of instrument makes a vast difference to your ability to play certain pieces, extend technique., and of course affects the sound you make. Serious musicians (child or not) have eye-wateringly expensive needs. Why should only the well-off be able to develop their talent? Sorry, I'm not trying to argue with you, just understand your reasoning. Is there a "cut-off point" for you in terms of value of instrument?

OP posts:
2014newme · 20/04/2017 13:24

Nothing wrong with it but I wouldn't personally contribute to a £3k violin for a child 😂
If he's that good, he'll make it even with a less good violin.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 20/04/2017 12:53

i don't personally like crowdfunding but I would like to think that noone is stupid enough to contribute if they don't want to and anyone who does knows exactly what they are doing. If you know any local businesses then it might be possible to get someone to agree to some sort of sponsorship. worth looking into.

whatatod0 · 20/04/2017 11:48

why not? go for it. People will either give or not. Its up to them.
I would also suggest looking at local council sites for grants and talented youth schemes.
Good luck!

GaelicSiog · 20/04/2017 11:45

I might do, depending on my own finances at the time and how well I knew the kid. But the number of crowdfunding links I get sent nowadays, if I donated to them all I would have to set up one so my own DD could go to nationals, which kind of seems a bit ironic.