The Scottish Brass Band Association will be playing a leading role in the development of a showpiece initiative in the heart of Glasgow this week, with the launch of the Gorbals Youth Brass Band.

Primary schools

The band has been created from an intake of school children of two local primary schools — St Francis and Blackfriars, and will be run by two inspirational musicians, Helen Douthwaite and Lauren McCormick.

They told 4BR: "It’s been an amazing three months. From having just an idea, we now have a band, instruments and a wonderful collection of young players who are showing an impressive level of commitment to their new hobby!

The Scottish Brass Band Association have been extremely helpful in getting us up and running, as have the two local primary schools who have enabled us to go in and recruit through demonstrations.

It’s so good to see how much has been achieved in such little time and the launch celebration on the 20th of this month is a lovely way to mark the start of even greater things to come."

Huge steps

The Gorbals area has a long history of social deprivation and so the launch is seen by SBBA as being a considerable achievement.

Already, instruments, music and necessary accessories have been distributed to the group of excited and inspired children, and after just a few weeks of training they are already making huge steps, with an inaugural performance recently given at Kelvingrove Museum with the band playing their part in the ‘Brass the Baton’ initiative.

This is a tremendously positive story about the work SBBA has pioneered. The initiative has already engaged around 18 youngsters into its membership, with more showing an interest each weekSBBA

Positive

A SBBA spokesperson told 4BR: "This is a tremendously positive story about the work SBBA has pioneered. The initiative has already engaged around 18 youngsters into its membership, with more showing an interest each week."

Bolivar boost

The band has also revealed that they have been invited, together with neighbouring Coatbridge Youth Brass Band, to attend a special concert on 20th June by the brass section from the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, offering them an inspirational experience and to see first-hand the opportunities that can be achieved through music.

Upon their return and to finish up the term in style, the players will then enjoy an early evening celebration to formally launch the band, marking the occasion with a short concert demonstration to supporters, parents and friends.