The Scottish Brass Band Association and the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland recently took part in the ‘Music for Youth Perth Prom’ at the Perth Concert Hall.

Significant step

This is the first time Music for Youth has held such an event in Scotland and the invitation is viewed as a significant step in SBBA’s quest to build wider awareness of its youth music development work.

Its President, George Burt, Development Manager, Andrew Duncan and NYBBS Director, Neil Cross represented the Association at the showcase event for a concert that included performances from a select collection of just five youth music groups from across the country – from folk/fusion music to brass bands.

New work

Conducted by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, NYBBS performed two pieces – ‘Pound The Street’ composed by Paul, and ‘Carpe Diem’ a new work written by the band’s own bass trombone player, Josiah Walters, which received its premiere at their recent 2011 summer course.

Awareness

SBBA Development Manager Andrew Duncan, told 4BR: "Music for Youth has achieved so much in its work for young musicians over the years.

It was a huge honour for SBBA and NYBBS to be invited to participate in the first ever Perth Prom event – a really significant marker on the growing success of our projects the external awareness of our work."

It was a huge honour for SBBA and NYBBS to be invited to participate in the first ever Perth Prom event – a really significant marker on the growing success of our projectsAndrew Duncan

Growing links

Andrew added that SBBA’s growing links with the organisation had been established through another project undertaken by Music for Youth in their new focus on Scotland.

SBBA had previously been invited to nominate young Scottish composers to participate in a residential project held in Ullapool as part of a music collaboration with Feis Rois the promoters of Gaelic arts and culture, and included NYBBS members Gregor Beattie and Michael Iles.

Success

Andrew concluded: "Our active association with Music for Youth, has been immensely helpful in building important links. NYBBS, Gregor and Michael have been fantastic ambassadors for Scotland’s youth music community and we look forward to getting involved in similarly successful future projects in Scotland."