In 2009, all-female barbershop chorus The White Rosettes received a Choral Ambition grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund to put on a masterclass event at Leeds College of Music. This year they’re doing it again, only this time they’re funding it themselves from the proceeds of selling their first album. Beth Daley tells us about the recording process.

“Everybody knows that funds are hard to come by – whether for your hobby, a charity or a business – and especially for arts organisations. As a singing group, fundraising is difficult. We’re effectively asking people to give us their hard-earned cash to perpetuate our hobby, which can be quite uncomfortable when there are so many great causes to support and so little spare money to go around. Last year we decided that we needed to give people something in return for their money and came up with the idea of making a CD. In March this year, we had it in our hands.



We needed to make the CD as cheaply as possible in order to make the maximum profit but, with the prestigious title of European Ladies Barbershop Champions and a national reputation in the barbershop world to uphold, we didn’t want to skimp on quality or professionalism. In the end, it came down to teamwork, hard work, and the ability to call in help from some great contacts.

The first task was to coordinate the diaries of sixty five chorus members and Musical Director (MD) Sally McLean, with long time friends of the chorus husband and wife team Andy and Christine Milner who had the equipment and expertise to look after the technical side of recording the album for us. We recorded the CD in our usual rehearsal space (a school gym) one weekend in November and just prayed for good weather. If it rained, the noise of the rain on the flat gym roof would have ruined the entire plan. Thankfully, and as usual whenever we spend all day inside singing, the weather outside was fine!

The weekend in question did not, however, go without a hitch. Our usually mobile and energetic MD arrived on crutches and wasn’t able to stand as long as she normally would. But with the hall booked and the technicians’ and chorus members’ diaries cleared for the whole weekend, there was no way some crutches were going to stop her. Perhaps it even helped the chorus, making us focus on getting things right in two or three takes, not four or five.



After each take, Sally and the music team gathered around the sound desk and listened back. If it wasn’t good enough -we’d do it again.



By Sunday afternoon, exhausted but happy, the tracks were all down. Now the hard work would really begin."

Starting a career in music can be daunting and finding the money you need to see your projects through can sometimes hold you back. James Hannam, Applications Manager for the PRS for Music Foundation, offers his advice on applying for funding to help develop a career in music.



"I joined PRS for Music as an individual artist in 2003 and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Tracks I wrote five years ago are still generating royalties all over the world. If you write your own music and it's being performed – anywhere from local gigs to national radio – then you can start earning money from your creativity. You don't even need to have a contract with a music publisher or record company.



I now work for the PRS for Music Foundation. Our main income is derived from PRS for Music itself, but we also work in partnership with other organisations. Since 2000 we have given more than £14 million to over 4,000 new music projects across the UK.



Having worked for the PRS for Music Foundation and two other funding organisations over the past five years, I’ve read hundreds of applications. If you’re thinking of applying for grants in the future, then there are several points to consider if you want to increase your chances:





Read the questions properly.

It may seem obvious but so often applicants write what they want instead of what has been requested by the funder. Consider all your answers carefully and ensure you respond as clearly as possible.



Check that your project fits with a potential funder’s priorities.

Always look at their website closely first to find out if what you have in mind is eligible. Doing this at an early stage will save everyone time.



Make your application stand out.

You need to tell funders exactly why you need support. Why does the public need your project? Are you definitely meeting a need? Funders receive so many applications that you need to be both passionate and clear when asking for help.



Make a good first impression.

Your application is likely be read by many people, including assessors who may freelance for several funders. It’s therefore essential to make a good first impression. The best way to do this is to do your research. Make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve before getting in touch.



Think about your capacity to deliver.

Are you truly sure that you can run a project to the best of your ability? If you have a lot on your plate, or don’t feel ready to manage a large grant yet then it may be best to wait until you are better prepared.





Don’t be disheartened if you don’t receive a grant the first few times. Applications to funders are on the increase due to the financial climate, so it’s a very competitive process. However, if you consider the points above you’ll greatly increase your chances of success."



Visit our music page for links to other organisations that could potentially help you with your music career.