Under the title ‘Winds bring Changes’ the Lithuania Brass Band Association recently organised a successful three day event in which representatives from 12 countries took part.

The event was hosted to showcase youth and educational programmes from different countries from Western and Eastern Europe, with a number of EBBA member countries in attendance.

Enthusiastic response

Sweden, The Netherlands and Lithuania gave presentations on their innovative programmes, Mini Brass (Sweden), the Yamaha Class ‘Band Method’ and repertoire development, whilst former Scottish BBA President, George Burt, gained an enthusiastic response to his presentation showing how SBBA had helped to create 60 new youth bands in a period of just six years.

The audience was also very impressed to learn about the system of music education in Belgium where children get three lessons a week, whilst parents only pay €62 per year.

80 participants

In total 80 participants from the Baltic countries, Poland, Kaliningrad as well as the USA came to the well organised event where the key speakers were also invited to the Academy of Music in Vilnius where they were welcomed by the Government Minister of Culture.

After the introductions the delegates discussed the theme; “Are 21st Century Kids still interested in Band Music?”

For the LBBA it was a very important weekend, as agreements were signed with the Music Academy and the City of PalangaLBBA

Important weekend

A spokesperson told 4BR: "For the LBBA it was a very important weekend, as agreements were signed with the Music Academy and the City of Palanga. The Lord Mayor of Palanga visited the conference and some of the concerts which were given in the famous Kurhaus.

In his speech he also gave the kick-off of a five year banding programme called ‘Amber Brass’ which should lead to the hosting of the 2019 European Brass Band Championships in Palanga."

2019 European Championship

During the visit, the delegates were able to see the work that is underway on the construction of the new Palanga Concert Hall which will have a capacity of 2200 seats.

It is hoped that the hall will be finished in 2015, with the board of the European Brass Band Association visiting in early 2016.