An all-women brass band concert shone a light on violence against women and girls has raised more than £700 for York-based charity, Survive.  

At the sell-out concert in Acomb Parish Hall, an occasional band of 50 brass and percussion players from more than 20 brass band organisations across Yorkshire and beyond took to the stage, under the banner name of Femmes Fortissimo. They delighted the audience and after a presentation about the life-changing work conducted by Survive a further £161 was donated on the night.

Musical Director Clare Winter put together a programme based around the York International Women’s Week theme of ‘Solidarity’. The ‘Music Can Do This’ theme was taken from a poem by Tony Walsh which inspirational line ​”You can do this, get through this, you proved this, you knew this. The proof is, the truth is, just music, can do this.”

The concert held in April, also featured guest soloist Rebecca Lundberg, principal trombone with the internationally renowned Fairey Band.

Says Chief Executive Officer Mags Godderidge: “It was an incredible, uplifting and joyous event that really shone a light on the issue of violence against women and girls. After another year of unprecedented demand for our specialist services, we were delighted to once again be the chosen charity partner for the Femmes Fortissimo concert. The £900 raised from ticket sales and donations will help us help more survivors rebuild their lives after sexual violence and abuse”.