Beginnings
Music Box Wealden is the brainchild of local pianist William Hancox. After many years performing, recording and teaching throughout the UK and around the world, he became convinced of the importance of developing a model which makes it easier to bring together musicians and concertgoers in their own communities.
Localism
Localism and sustainability are central to the Music Box vision. We provide a varied programme of classical music to all kinds of venues across the area, with many performers drawn from the wide pool of talented professional musicians who live locally. At a time when travelling impacts both the planet and your pocket, it makes sense to bring music into the heart of communities as part of the shift towards strong, circular local economies. Cut your culture miles with Music Box!
The subscription option
Tickets to all our concerts can be booked on the Music Box Wealden website. But we also offer a membership scheme which is an integral part of the Music Box concept. In exchange for their monthly subscription, Music Box members are entitled to free access to our entire programme and will also have priority booking rights. Most importantly, they will become part of a growing community which actively supports its own music and musicians and encourages the development of young artists. All Music Box Wealden concerts are free to under 18s.
Not just a product
Music is such an essential part of being human that seeing it as a commodity and audiences as consumers doesn’t begin to tell the whole story. We seek to create a community which serves the needs of listeners, learners and performers alike. If classical music is to retain its vitality, we need to break down barriers, both real and perceived – so rather than happening in huge halls with distant performers, Music Box concerts will be held in smaller local venues where you can see and hear the music making at close quarters and meet and chat to the artists.
The right time
After the restrictions of the pandemic, there is a ready audience for live music once again. Performers of all kinds have had a tough time – we hope to help them get back to work in their own back yard. Subscription schemes for a wide range of goods and services are becoming more and more familiar. Travel costs and the rising tide of localism make quality music closer to home a more and more attractive prospect. All in all, we believe that the time is ripe for a project of this kind.
Keeping it local, keeping it live
We’re looking to make a contribution to the musical health of our community and help to make sure that this vital part of our culture is still alive and well for future generations to enjoy. We’ll be learning as we go and who knows – if it’s a success, the Music Box concept may spread! Nothing would please us more.
Music Box Wealden was founded in 2022 as a Community Interest Company. Instead of serving the interests of private shareholders, Community Interest Companies exist to provide benefits for their communities. They have to make a Community Interest Statement to demonstrate to the Regulator that they are eligible for CIC status and provide an Asset Lock which ensures that, should the company be wound up, any assets are transferred to another CIC or other organisation with charitable aims – in our case, that’s Hailsham Choral Society.
We currently have three directors all of whom have strong backgrounds in music making in East Sussex – as we progress we may add more, to benefit from new areas of expertise and to make sure that all stakeholders in the community are represented as we grow and develop.
Music Box Wealden’s registered office address is:
Elim, Tilley Lane, Boreham Street, East Sussex, BN27 4UX
Our directors come from different backgrounds, have different skills and different musical specialisations – but they all share a passionate commitment to music making in their local community.
Once we’ve got our core activities established we want to roll out Music Box Wealden’s offering towards two main groups, the old and the young. We hope to work with care homes in our area to bring more live music to some of the elderly residents of Wealden. And, in partnership with local education providers we will develop a schools programme.