The Scottish Brass Band Association has announced an exciting development for its flagship National Youth Brass Band.

Innovative

The innovative strategy was agreed at a recent meeting between its Musical Director Richard Evans, NYBBS Director Neil Cross and SBBA officials with the aim of raising performance standards of the band to new levels of excellence.

The new approach will seen the National Youth Band now have a permanent existence, able to undertake performances throughout the year, with its traditional Summer, Easter and New Year courses continuing as bespoke training events.

Distinct

The National Children’s Brass Band of Scotland and the National Youth Reserve Brass Band of Scotland will also have their own distinct identities and separate summer course.

Neil Cross told 4BR: "This will make it much easier to organise the summer course, which was already becoming very large and with YBBS receiving an increasing number of requests for high profile public performances, this more formal arrangement will facilitate us being able to fulfil them more readily."

Support

4BR understands that SBBA will provide the support necessary for implementing and developing the new plans, with SBBA Vice President Carrie Boax, emphasising the benefits for the brass band movement in Scotland.

She added: "It can only be good for all bands to have a stronger NYBBS. It is the pinnacle of youth development, enabling top class young musicians to feed into mainstream bands and raise the standard of brass bands in general throughout the country."

This will place NYBBS firmly on the same level as other national youth companies, such as the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the National Youth Choir of ScotlandAndrew Duncan

Artistic importance

However, SBBA Development Manager Andrew Duncan was also keen to emphasise the artistic importance of the move.

"This will place NYBBS firmly on the same level as other national youth companies, such as the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the National Youth Choir of Scotland," he said.

"We are also looking into increasing the upper age limit in line with Europe-wide standards, as is currently being adopted by the other national youth companies."

New strategy

He concluded: "The new strategy for NYBBS will broaden the benefits to all its members and will provide an innovative and structured development of educational and performance opportunities well into the future."