Kingdom Brass is celebrating a substantial grant award from the Scottish Arts Council to launch their 'Kingdom Brass Percussion Academy'.

The organisation already runs a successful youth band, which was started in 2007 which currently has nearly thirty young musicians, aged from 8 to 13.

Teaching

Youth Band Chairman Lee Bathgate told 4BR: "Percussion is such an integral part of the modern brass band, and Kingdom Brass recognises the need to teach percussion alongside brass. We’re launching our percussion academy to give young people the chance to learn how to play drum kit, as well as tuned percussion such as xylophone, vibraphone and glockenspiel."

Places to be filled

He added: "Lessons will be given in our bandhall on Monday evenings by our percussion tutor, and we’re currently looking for 10 young people in the local area to take up the initial places."

The Kingdom Brass Youth Band recently performed at the ‘Brass in the Park’ event in Newtongrange, gaining a Silver Award in the Novice Competition.

The next event for the youth band is at the Scottish Youth Championships, in Perth Concert Hall later this month.

This is yet another exciting development in the continuing growth of brass banding in ScotlandSBBA Development Officer, Alan Edmond

Exciting development

SBBA Development Officer, Alan Edmond told 4BR: "This is yet another exciting development in the continuing growth of brass banding in Scotland.

"Percussion education within brass bands is an aspect that has suffered from a lack of attention in years gone by, but it is very encouraging that Kingdom Brass has recognised this and set up its Percussion Academy, both for its own benefit and to assist other bands in the wider Fife region."

Alan added: "The Scottish Brass Band Association applauds this initiative and encourages other organisations throughout Scotland to follow the fine example being set by Kingdom Brass."