The Scottish Brass Band Association has announced that Development Manager Andrew Duncan is to leave his full time post at the end of July after three years in the role.

No replacement

It was also announced that SBBA will not be immediately advertising for a replacement until it hears the outcome of a current application to Creative Scotland under their recently announced core-funding programme.

Great job

SBBA President George Burt told 4BR: "Andrew has done a great job in further progressing, extending and strengthening our Youth Development Programme, with more youth bands being created every year.

Of particular note has been his involvement in the creation of new bands in the more remote areas of Scotland, in Scottish universities and in the lower sections.

Andrew has also been instrumental in generally increasing the profile of brass bands in Scotland as a serious musical genre in the Scottish arts scene."

Pleasure

Meanwhile, Andrew Duncan added: "It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to be the SBBA Development Manager for the last three years.

These have been very busy years with the continued growth both of youth bands and new senior bands, and being involved with the organisation of the recent European Brass Band Championships in Perth.

My musical activities have understandably taken a back seat whilst I was working full time for SBBA, and I am now keen to return to conducting, writing and playing the tuba.

I know that the growth of brass bands in Scotland will continue with the on-going work of SBBA’s youth development programme."

No surprise

The news of his departure will not come as a surprise to many in Scottish banding, despite Andy Duncan’s profile within SBBA being maintained by both writing the set work and adjudicating at the forthcoming Scottish Open Championship.

My musical activities have understandably taken a back seat whilst I was working full time for SBBA, and I am now keen to return to conducting, writing and playing the tubaAndrew Duncan

Plaudits and Critics

Supporters state that SBBA can now to point to an increased geographical spread of youth bands and higher education involvement throughout the country, especially in remote areas, although critics counter with claims of a lack of substantive development in overall youth numbers and initiatives.

It is also claimed that there has been a lack of communication and leadership throughout his tenure in the post — highlighted by his decision to tour India with a professional orchestra just weeks before SBBA hosted the European Championships and his failure to attend some events in Perth.

Meanwhile, SBBA itself faces a period of stiff financial constraint and re-evaluation following their hosting of the recent European Festival.