The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) has gained yet another major endorsement of its work in supporting, developing and promoting all aspects of youth brass banding throughout the nation, with the news that it has been awarded £70,000 for the Access to Music Making stream of funding from Creative Scotland.

The announcement was made as part of the Scottish Government's annual Youth Music Initiative Funding (YMI) of £1.5 m to 52 organisations for 2024/2025.

The amount is the maximum that can be awarded to organisations who enable children and young people to access high quality music making opportunities.

Impact

Speaking about the awards, YMI Manager at Creative Scotland, Morag Macdonald said: "The impact the YMI has on children and young people's lives cannot be understated.

Not only is it providing high quality music opportunities focused on those who wouldn't normally have the chance to participate, but the community spaces created develop social connection, technical skills, confidence and the ability to express themselves in new ways."

Positive difference

Minister for Culture, Christina McKelvie added: "We're pleased to see the investment in the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) continuing to make a positive difference to young people's lives across Scotland.

"Every year, the YMI provides hundreds of thousands of young people with music-making opportunities, and I've seen first-hand how impactful the projects are.

This continued investment highlights our ongoing commitment to ensure children and young people have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities."

We're pleased to see the investment in the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) continuing to make a positive difference to young people's lives across ScotlandMinister for Culture, Christina McKelvie

Delighted

Responding to the news, a delighted Carrie Box, President of the Scottish Brass Band Association told 4BR: "I'm delighted that SBBA has been awarded £70,000, the maximum amount of funding for our ongoing youth development projects for 2024-25.

I cannot thank enough Paul Wood, former SBBA business advisor, for supporting us to secure this vital funding which will focus on new band start up and development, NYBBS development, festival delivery opportunities, further education outreach, ICT expansion and initiatives and training opportunities for our membership here in Scotland."