Frequently Asked Questions

• I’m a teacher. How do I hold a 123sing! event?
• I'm a school pupil or student. How do I hold a 123sing! event?
• I’m a member of a choir, singing or music group or society. How do I hold a 123sing! event?
• I’m an individual. How do I hold a 123sing! event?
• I’m an individual. How do I join a 123sing! event?
• I’m arranging a small informal event with friends and family, do I need to “create an event” on the 123sing! website?
• Do I have to hold my event on 30 September, 1 October or 2 October 2011?
• How do I raise money at my 123sing! event?
• Do I have to raise a minimum amount?
• Where do I send the money I raise?
• Will I receive an acknowledgment of my donation?
• What is Gift Aid?
• There’s a mistake in my 123sing! event listing. How do I fix it?
• I am unable to hold an event this year
• Can you help me find out more about singing and choirs?
• What materials can you give me to help promote my event?
• Do I need a licence?
• Do I need insurance?

I’m a teacher. How do I hold a 123sing! event?

It’s very easy to get your school involved.  

 Here’s what to do:
1.    Schedule a special 123sing! assembly or lesson on or around 30th September 2011.
2.    To make sure your school is entered into the prize draw, tell us you’re holding your event by clicking on “Create an Event” and adding the details.
3.    Download your event pack, which includes curriculum-linked lesson and assembly plans, posters, invitations and other materials.  We’ll also send you stickers for the children and a certificate to say they’ve taken part.
4.    Ask the children to bring £1 to school that day, or choose other ways to fundraise – see Fundraising Tips for ideas.  We can also lend you collection buckets and tins and offer fundraising advice – simply call The Classic FM Foundation on 020 7344 4899 or email 123sing@classicfm.com
5.    Send in your donations to The Classic FM Foundation
6.    Share your pictures and stories from your 123sing! event on our Share page.

I’m a school pupil or student. How do I hold a  123sing! event?

By taking part in 123sing! your school can keep 25% of the funds you raise. Here’s what to do:
1.    Talk to your teacher about holding a special 123sing! assembly, lesson or event on or around 30th September 2011.
2.    You or your teacher can Download an event pack, which includes curriculum-linked lesson and assembly plans, posters, invitations and other materials.  We’ll also send you stickers for the children and a certificate to say they’ve taken part.
3.    To make sure your school is entered into our prize draw, make sure you tell us you’re holding your event by clicking on “Create an Event” and adding the details.
4.    Ask your teacher to arrange for some fundraising on the day – perhaps by asking everyone to bring £1 to school that day, or by choosing other ways to fundraise – see Fundraising tips for ideas.  We can also lend you collection buckets and tins and offer fundraising advice – simply call us on 020 7344 4899 or email 123sing@classicfm.com
5.    Send in your donations to The Classic FM Foundation
6.    Share your pictures and stories from your 123sing! event on our Share page.

I’m a member of a choir, singing or music group or society. How do I hold a 123sing! event?

It’s very easy for your group to get involved and your group can keep 25% of the funds you raise.   It’s also a great opportunity to recruit new members.  Here’s what to do:
1.    Dedicate a concert, performance or open rehearsal on or around 30th Sept – 2nd October 2011 to 123sing!.
2.    Tell us you’re holding your event by clicking on “Create an Event” and adding the details.  You can use this page to promote your event to the public.
3.    Download your event pack, which includes posters, invitations and other materials.  
4.    Choose a way to fundraise at your event – our Fundraising tips can help here.  We can also lend you collection buckets and tins and offer fundraising advice – simply call us on 020 7344 4899 or email 123sing@classicfm.com.
5.    Send in your donations to The Classic FM Foundation
6.    Share your pictures and stories from your 123sing! event on our Share page.

I’m an individual. How do I hold a 123sing! event?

It’s very easy to hold your own event for 123sing!  You can make a huge difference for vulnerable children just by getting your friends together.  Here’s what to do:
1.    The official dates are 30th September – 2nd October, but you can pick whatever date is best for you.
2.    Choose what kind of event you’re going to hold, large or small – see Fundraising tips for inspiration
3.    Download your event pack, which includes invitations, posters and other materials.  
4.    No matter what you’re planning, tell us about it by clicking on “Create an Event” and adding the details. You don’t have to make your event open to the public and by creating an event on the website we’ll include you in our prize draw.
5.    Send in your donations to The Classic FM Foundation
6.    Share your pictures and stories from your 123sing! event on our Share page.

I’m an individual. How do I join a 123sing! event?

There will be hundreds of organised 123sing! events organised by singing groups across the country.  Here’s how to take part:
1.    Use the interactive map to find events near you.
2.    Tell us you’re taking part by filling in the join an event form.

I’m arranging a small informal event with friends and family, do I need to “create an event” on the 123sing! website?

You don’t have to add your event, but there’s no reason not to!
You can choose for your event to be private so it’s not open to the public.
By adding your event to our map you’ll be showing your support for 123sing! and The Classic FM Foundation. 

Do I have to hold my event on 30 September, 1 October or 2 October 2011?

No – you can hold your event at any time to suit you.

How do I raise money at my 123sing! event?

We have a wealth of fundraising tips for schools, choirs/groups and individuals. Remember schools and voluntary groups taking part can keep 25% of the money raised.
If you want to talk to someone about your fundraising you can contact the Classic FM Foundation team for advice on 020 7344 4899 or email us at 123sing@classicfm.com.

Do I have to raise a minimum amount?

No.  There is no minimum.
However, we would encourage you to think about ways that you can raise more at your event - remember schools and voluntary groups taking part can keep 25% of the money raised. We have a wealth of fundraising tips for schools, choirs/groups and individuals.
Find out more about how the money you raise will make a real difference to vulnerable children in need of music therapy.

Where do I send the money I raise?

You can pay in the funds you’ve raised online, by phone or post.  Here’s how.

Will I receive an acknowledgment of my donation?

Yes.  If you would like an acknowledgment please ensure you include your postal or email address with your donation.  Schools will also receive a certificate showing how much they have raised.

What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid is a government scheme that enables charities to claim the tax that supporters have already paid on their donations. To allow us to claim this back you must be a UK taxpayer and have paid sufficient income and/or capital gains tax to cover the amount The Classic FM Foundation will reclaim in each tax year.  This means that The Classic FM Foundation is able to reclaim tax on voluntary donations made at your 123sing! event.  It may sound complicated, but in simple terms once your guest has:
1. Made an individual donation.
2. Filled in all the spaces on your Gift Aid sheet (found in your 123sing! pack).
3. Ticked that very important Gift Aid box.
...we can increase their donation by 25p for every £1 without costing them another penny!
* Gift Aid does not apply to non-UK tax payers, Isle of Man and Channel Islands residents.

There's a mistake in my 123sing! event listing. How do I fix it?

Just let us know at 123sing@classicfm.com and we'll try to fix it for you.

I'm unable to hold an event this year

You can still take part in 123sing! by going along to one of hundreds of 123sing! events organised by singing groups across the country.  Here’s how to take part:
1.    Use the interactive map to find events near you.
2.    Tell us you’re taking part by filling in the join an event form.

Can you help me find out more about singing and choirs?

Singing with other people is good for your mind, body and soul. If you are interested in finding a local choir to join, visit the Making Music website and search over 1,600 choirs all around the UK who would love to hear from you. If you would like private singing lessons, you can search the Incorporated Society of Musicians online database of professional music teachers.

What materials can you give me to help promote my event?

Plenty! Download our toolkit, find a printer and publicise to your heart's content!

Do I need a licence?

To perform in a public you may need a Temporary Event Notice (for events of up to 499 people) or Temporary Public Entertainment Licence in Scotland, which you can get from your local authority. They cost a flat rate of £21.
A licence is needed for any public performance of live or recorded music in copyright. The promoter of the event is responsible for paying the licence fee. You should check to see if the venue you are using already has a PRS for Music licence. If they do, they may pass on the cost of the licence fee for your event to you. If they do not have a licence, you can get a licence directly from PRS for Music, 0800 068 4828, musiclicence@prsformusic.com. Making Music members using an unlicensed space can submit royalty payments to Making Music with your annual renewal as normal.

Do I need insurance?

If your event is open to members of the public, you may be required to provide your venue or local council with a public liability certificate. Cover for one off events can start anywhere from £30 upwards from companies such as:
Insure My Event
Event Insurance Services
Ecclesiastical
If you are an amateur or voluntary music group that performs regularly, it may be more cost-effective to consider joining Making Music, which offers an annual insurance scheme to groups for events at a very competitive price.