The recent launch of the Gorbals Youth Band has been hailed as a great success, with the event attracting a great deal of local as well as national publicity.

Going the distance

The 20 young musicians from the local Blackfriars and St Francis schools launched their band in style at a celebration party, performing the PLC work ‘Going the Distance’ to a delighted audience, who included a number of prominent representatives from leading Scottish Arts organisations.

Founders Helen Douthwaite and Lauren McCormick publicly acknowledged the assistance they had received from many sources, including the initial start-up guidance and support from the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) through its Youth Development Programme.

Fantastic day

Helen and Lauren commented: "It was a fantastic day for everyone involved with the band. The youngsters have all worked so hard, right from the first rehearsal when we didn’t even have instruments, so it’s been great to celebrate their achievements of the last 10 weeks with our launch party."

The youngsters have all worked so hard, right from the first rehearsal when we didn’t even have instruments, so it’s been great to celebrate their achievements of the last 10 weeks with our launch partyBand founders

Radio spotlight

The young players also had an opportunity to take the spotlight, enjoying the chance to be interviewed by presenter of SBBA Radio, Mark Good

Since their first fledgling rehearsal the band has performed in public at the Kelvingrove Museum, has attended a special invitation concert in Stirling by the brass section from the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, and have now provided a celebration mini-concert of their own.

Radio interview:

SBBA Radio interview: http://www.sbba.org.uk/sbba-radio.