It’s now exactly 5 years since SBBA embarked on its Youth Development Programme, implemented by former SBBA Development Officer Alan Edmond.

Then, Scotland had just 6 youth bands — now there are 56.

Funded

Funded by the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative and SBBA’s own contribution, the five year programme has cost £240,000 — a return of under £5,000 for every new band created.

Excellence

It’s no wonder that the Minister for Culture holds up SBBA’s programme as a flagship of excellence.

"And that’s not the end of it," says Andrew Duncan, SBBA’s current Development Manager.

He told 4BR: "I’m working with another 10 fledgling bands from the very north to the very south of Scotland, and in the Western Isles. With further expressions of interest coming all the time, I can see no end to it for quite some time to come yet."

The development methodology itself is fairly standard and works in many contexts. All it takes is vision and a willingness to grasp new ways of workingSBBA President, George Burt

Success

Adopted by the SBBA AGM in 2006, the development plan persuaded the then Scottish Arts Council (now Creative Scotland) to invest a modest £40,000 in the first year.

The success has led other bodies and countries to ask for SBBA's advice. Before leaving for Australia, Alan Edmond was transferring some of his experience in Wales, whilst Andrew Duncan has already made a presentation to the Danish Amateur Orchestral Board and is planning a similar presentation in Norway in April.

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George Burt, President of SBBA, emphasises that there is no reason why other parts of the UK cannot achieve the Scottish success.

"The development methodology itself is fairly standard and works in many contexts. All it takes is vision and a willingness to grasp new ways of working. We have been greatly fortunate in Scotland to have a membership and its representatives ready to look to the future."