The Scottish Brass Band Association is putting the final touches to preparations for its forthcoming 2019 SBBA Learning Festival.

Live broadcasts

The first part of the innovative festival will take place on Saturday 26th January and will incorporate performances by Scottish champion Whitburn Band and Scottish European Challenge Section representatives Annan Town broadcast live for brass band lovers around the world to enjoy.

Fresh from the exciting news that they will represent the nation in Montreux in April, the 2018 Scottish Second Section runner-up Annan Town will showcase the Fourth Section set-work, Ray Steadman-Allen's 'Stantonbury Festival', at noon.

It will be followed at 3.00pm by Whitburn, who will perform the Scottish Championship Third Section set-work, 'First Suite in Eb' by Gustav Holst, live from its bandhall.

Brass band lovers and supporters are welcome at both broadcasts although spaces are limited. Anyone wishing to attend should contact SBBA Education Officer John Boax at johnboax14@gmail.com or on 07966486088.

Workshops

The following day the Learning Festival will move to Falkirk Stadium, where the SBBA Annual General Meeting (10.00am) will be followed by a series of workshop masterclasses.

The inspirational percussionist Sarah Naish will lead a fantastic workshop from 11.00am in Room 1.

Sarah runs 'SN Percussion', a highly successful company which provides a huge range of percussion instruments to bands and orchestras across the country. Sarah will deliver a workshop session on the maintenance and general upkeep of percussion instruments.

Whitburn's celebrated principal cornet Chris Bradley will pass on his wealth of experience and performance knowledge in his workshop sessions in Room 2 from 12.00pm — 1.00pm and then again from 1.45pm — 2.45pm4BR

Experience and fun

In addition Whitburn's celebrated principal cornet Chris Bradley will pass on his wealth of experience and performance knowledge in his workshop sessions in Room 2 from 12.00pm — 1.00pm and then again from 1.45pm — 2.45pm.

Meanwhile, there is also the chance to learn from talented percussionist Lynsey Paterson, as she returns to pass on more of her expertise about all things that must be hit, stroked, beaten, crashed, banged and walloped! It's a great opportunity in Room 1 for young players in particular, with two sessions in the afternoon.

All this and there is a great opportunity for players and conductors alike to hear from one of the most inspirational educators in the brass band movement, as Helen Minshall will deliver afternoon sessions from Room 3 entitled 'Band in a Box — Recruiting and inspiring the next generation of brass players'.

Helen runs the highly successful music teaching company, Minshall Music Limited, which delivers high quality brass tuition in a growing number of schools in Salford and Bolton.

Find out more

To find out more go to: https://www.sbba.org.uk/news/5580/live-streams-and-special-guests-at-2019-sbba-learning-festival