Scottish Brass Band Association President, Carrie Boax has said that a priority of "passion and tireless hard work" will ensure that the 130th anniversary of SBBA will be a memorable one for the Scottish brass banding movement.

Setting the time

And despite financial challenges for the arts sector as a whole in Scotland over the next 12 months, Carrie told delegates at SBBA's recent AGM that its dedicated trustees and committee members have already set the tone in seeking support for its activities through sponsorship, partnership working or funding opportunities.

"One thing that is certain,"she said. "The passion, positive contributions and selfless, tireless hard work put into making the brass band movement a great one to be a part of here in Scotland will not diminish, and will ensure we make 2025 another special one."

Successes

The AGM and Learning Day was held in the Bellshill Salvation Army Community Centre, with Carrie leading a review of 2024. It highlighted the successes of the Scottish Championships and the Scottish Festival of Brass, the Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championships, and the Easter and summer residential courses for the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland.

The latter included a memorable 'Brass at the Park' tribute to former NYBBS Conductor Emeritus Richard Evans at Strathallan School in Perthshire.

The support of funding partners and sponsors such as Band Supplies, Besson, Perth and Kinross Council and the Scottish Government's Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative Programme was noted

Thanks

Special thanks were paid to fellow SBBA trustees, the executive committee, volunteers and supporters, who Carrie said were, "the core of our amazing organisation who make SBBA what it is — now and for the future."

On a more poignant note, an 'In Memoriam' segment paid tribute to those musicians who had been lost to Scottish and UK banding during the past year.

The encouraging level of competitive playing talent was also marked by the Scottish 'Band of the Year' awards to the cooperation band, Kirkintilloch, Clackmannan District, Perthshire Brass and Buckhaven & Methil Miners.

Special thanks were paid to fellow SBBA trustees, the executive committee, volunteers and supporters, who Carrie said were, "the core of our amazing organisation who make SBBA what it is — now and for the future"SBBA

Awards

The President's Award went to Whitburn Band for its collaboration with Ivor Novello winner Martin Green on the stage production of Keli, with the 'Performance of the Year' accolade going to the cooperation band in coming fifth at the Royal Albert Hall National Final.

The 'Outstanding Achievement' accolade was awarded to John Wallace CBE in recognition of his incredible musical career.

New Executive committee members were also elected before the rest of the day was given over to a series of presentations on performance technique, librarian stewardship, fund raising and workshop performances of the 2025 Second Section test piece 'Friendly Takeover' and Third Section work, 'Arkansas', given by Whitburn Band.