The European Brass Band Association (EBBA) has confirmed details for the introduction of a European Youth Brass Band Contest as part of the 2014 European Brass Band Championship events in Perth.

Finest youth bands

In the words of EBBA, the contest seeks to, ‘provide a platform for Europe’s finest youth brass bands to perform a programme which is musically excellent and entertaining in a competitive environment.’

They also state that it is hoped that the associated benefits will encourage the ‘development of youth brass bands throughout the member countries of the European Brass band Association’, as well as ‘fostering enduring social links between the young people taking part and will help to create a better understanding of the cultural diversity throughout Europe.’

Two sections

Offering a choice of two sections, the event will take place on Sunday 4th May at Perth Concert Hall, commencing with a Development Section, followed by a Premier Section.

Both sections will see own choice programmes (up to 25 minutes for the Premier bands and up to 20 minutes for Development ensembles), including the set work ‘Resurgam’ for the Premier event and ‘Little Suite for Brass’ by Malcolm Arnold for the Development section.

Bands will also have to include an own choice solo item and the inclusion of a piece of music which has a musical link to their country.

Exciting

An EBBA spokesperson told 4BR: "EBBA encourages all EBBA member countries to involve their youth bands in representing their country at this exciting performance opportunity.

To support this enthusiasm, it is opening the contest to accept up to 2 representative bands from each member country and offering freedom in the process for the selection of the band.”

Competitors

4BR understands this allows for existing youth, school, regional, national amalgam bands of players selected from the country to form a band to play in the contest.

EBBA encourages all EBBA member countries to involve their youth bands in representing their country at this exciting performance opportunityEBBA

Great news

The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) is also delighted with EBBA’s positive response to its proposal and excited that it will be launched at the 2014 series.

They added: "It is great news that SBBA should play host to the inaugural event as part of its presentation of its European Festival of Brass 2014 – a Scotland-wide celebration of brass music.

SBBA is looking forward to welcoming the representative youth bands to Perth next year and is elated that EBBA have taken this extremely important step to inspire, recognise and nurture youth involvement."

Further details:

Details will be posted in due course on the websites of:

EBBA: www.ebba.eu.com

The European Festival of Brass 2014: www.EuropeanFestivalofBrass2014.com

Further information can be gained from EBBA’s general secretary Carsten Hering Nielsen on general.ebba@gmail.com