A recent Tutors’ Workshop, run by the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) in Glasgow, has been hailed as an overwhelming success.

Insight and guidance

Presented by Alan Fernie and Lynda Nicholson, with the assistance of the Gorbals Youth Band, 24 delegates spent a busy day gaining valuable insight, guidance and advice on a range of tutoring techniques and approaches.

Bode well

Lynda told 4BR: "What a great day! Just having the opportunity to exchange ideas and good practice with enthusiastic, like-minded teachers was an invaluable experience and can only bode well for the future of banding in Scotland."

Alan added: "I was honoured to be asked to share my experiences with so many keen musicians, and found their opinions and thoughts both stimulating and enlightening.

The fact that there were so many young delegates was very encouraging and we all benefitted enormously from Lynda’s words of wisdom! I was totally knocked out with the Gorbals Youth Band, and inspired by the dedication of their tutors. It really was an excellent day!"

Enthusiastic

Brian Lambert, who is a tutor at the Dynamica Band from East Kilbride, was equally enthusiastic: "It was a great opportunity to network and share ideas. We can't wait to try some of the new techniques and ideas with our own junior band and share with our other staff.

The practical demonstration with Gorbals Youth Band was helpful to see with Alan and Lynda both using the techniques in practice. We were impressed with another well organised SBBA event!"

Informative

Similarly, John Todd, a tutor at Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative added: "It was a very informative day and it's great that we have people of the calibre of Alan and Lynda who gave their time to help others in our growing youth band sector."

The practical demonstration with Gorbals Youth Band was helpful to see with Alan and Lynda both using the techniques in practice. We were impressed with another well organised SBBA event!Brian Lambert

Benchmark success

Following a successful Conductor’s Workshop in April, this latest event has formed a further benchmark chapter in SBBA’s educational series according to SBBA Development Manager Andrew Duncan.

"We are delighted with the outcome of the event, especially with the positive feedback was have had from all the attendees.

The sessions provided a superb variety of helpful approaches and the members of the youth band were wonderful to see in action as part of the process."