The Scottish Brass Band Association has announced that its National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) summer courses and concerts that were scheduled to take place at Strathallan School in Perthshire in August have been cancelled.

Speaking to 4BR, SBBA President, Carrie Boax said: "Everyone at SBBA, as well as our key funding and venue providers, agree that the health and wellbeing of all members of our NYBBS family — from students to staff and conductors is our top priority and we do not want to risk this during these extraordinary times."

Staying connected

The courses were due to be held from the 2nd — 8th August, but Carrie and other SBBA officers have been working closely with key personnel and funders Creative Scotland to try to find a way to 'stay connected' during the prolonged period of musical isolation.

4BR understands that they are hoping to announce an exciting project over the next few weeks which will involve as many NYBBS students as possible to ensure that a final concert performance on 8th August will still be feasible, albeit in a virtual environment.

they are hoping to announce an exciting project over the next few weeks which will involve as many NYBBS students as possible to ensure that a final concert performance on 8th August will still be feasible, albeit in a virtual environment4BR

Inspirational videos

In the meantime, students are able to find a series of inspirational videos, prepared prior to the announcement by the NYBBS conducting team, on the SBBA YouTube channel.

Access to the videos over the next few days will be via a unique password which will be supplied by contacting SBBA education officer John Boax at sbbaeducation@gmail.com