*
banner

Scottish youth shines in Final push

Over 60 young players took the opportunity to qualify for the Scottish Youth Solo Festival later this month.

sbba
  Young players from all over Scotland took part in the online event

The future of Scottish banding seems to be encouragingly bright after hearing the performances of over 60 talented youngsters who took part in the qualification rounds for the Scottish Youth Solo Festival later this month.

Over the weekend the players from the six Scottish Brass Band Association areas took part in live-streamed events on the SBBA YouTube channel.

Qualifiers

As a result, 15 qualifiers from the Fife, East of Scotland, Northern Counties and South West Scotland Associations will be joined by 19 finalists from the Borders and West of Scotland areas in three age categories: 12 & under, 16 & under and 21 & under.

The mentors for Saturday's regional qualifying event were Jamie McVicar and Sandy Coffin — both of whom were extremely impressed, not only by the way the soloists performed, but by the way they mastered the technology to capture their quality of their musicianship.

Well done

"It has been brilliant to see so many young people still practising and playing their instruments during these difficult times we are all living in,"said Jamie.

"Thank you and well done to everyone who took part and to SBBA for making this all possible."

On Sunday, Craig Anderson and Chic Keenan were the mentors, with Craig praising the performers for keeping music alive and vibrant, and the parents and teachers who supported and encouraged them to enter.

"The playing had been of an incredibly high standard,"he said, mentioning in particular the 12 & unders for filling him with "hope and joy for the future".

34 qualifiers

All 34 qualifiers will be advancing to the Youth Solo Festival final which will be broadcast on the SBBA YouTube channel on Saturday 13th March, when the Scottish Championships would normally have been held in Perth.

The following day, senior players will be showcasing their talents by taking part in their own Open Solo event.

The playing had been of an incredibly high standardCraig Anderson

Enjoy the performances

The young musicians' performances can be viewed on the SBBA YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVpZc1a4iZE (Saturday)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgZATfyNPno (Sunday).

The event was made possible through funding from Creative Scotland.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Music for isolation

Svalbard isolation inspires new CD release

July 3 • The forthcoming CD release from the acclaimed tuba and saxophone duo of Gideon Jukes and Rie Takeuchi is inspired by one of the world's most northern settlements.


Tone Halo

Tone Halo makes sound impression on global customers

July 3 • CalderpipsMusic's 'Tone Halo' makes a mark on the brass accessory market place.


Brass Band week

Nationwide span for Brass Band Week

July 3 • You can enjoy bands in the north, south, east and west of the country for the Brass Band Week of performances.


Cory

New President at Cory

July 3 • Long term supporter Ken Price has accepted the Band President role with Cory Band.


Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Haverhill Silver Band

July 3 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Chinnor Silver

July 3 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meet fortnightly on a Monday morning (next rehearsal 7th) and we welcome any players who want an extra blow.. We require no allegiance just come and enjoy the friendly blow with coffee and cake thrown in.(Its all free)


Hathersage Band

July 2 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd