The Scottish Brass Band Association has informed 4BR that it believes it has created an unrivalled opportunity for new and aspiring brass band conductors to develop their skills and raise their ambitions.

Conductor shortage

As SBBA Development Officer Alan Edmond told 4BR: "Now that SBBA’s Youth Development Programme is growing, there is a shortage of conductors with appropriate skills and experience. Many well established players in brass bands take on the conducting role almost by default. We want to provide the means for those with conducting aspirations to enrich enthusiasm with expertise by learning from the best."

40 applicants

The new initiative, supported by the Scottish Arts Council, has been developed in association with Alliance Education and the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Securing a substantial grant from the Scottish Arts Council will enable 40 successful applicants to benefit from the experience and skills of a quintet of leading tutors for a single fee of £30.

Webster lead

The course designer is Dr. Roger Webster, the distinguished cornetist, trumpeter and authority on performance psychology.

He told 4BR: "The aim of the course is to help raise the skill levels of brass band conductors on a number of fronts. Approaches to band training, musical interpretation, the motivation and management of players as well as concert presentation will be covered."

Roger added: "SBBA has identified that the need for more conductors with appropriate musical and leadership skills will grow, as its youth development programme continues to expand. This course offers a range of introductory modules that may lead to further focussed study."

The aim of the course is to help raise the skill levels of brass band conductors on a number of frontsDr Roger Webster

Delivery

The course will be delivered by Alliance Education from Perth College UHI.

Dr. Sheila Lodge, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for UHI told 4BR: "I am delighted that we are working with SBBA to make this exciting and innovative course available. UHI already offers a variety of degrees and diplomas in popular and traditional music, but this is the first time we have engaged with the Scottish brass band community, which is growing rapidly across the Highlands and Islands.

We look forward very much to welcoming Roger, the tutorial team and all those taking part in what I am sure will be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience."

Two part course

4BR has been informed that the course is in two parts.

A modular introduction, delivered on-line, will be followed by an intensive weekend of contact sessions in Perth College UHI (16th & 17th October) with five of the brass band community’s most distinguished high-achievers.

Webster, Withington, Porthouse, Sparke, Renton

The weekend’s conducting coach will be Allan Withington, widely acknowledged to be one of the brass band community’s most inspiring developers of conducting and rehearsal technique.

He will also be focussing on aspects of concert and contest preparation.

Ian Porthouse, conductor of the succesful Tredegar Band will be leading sessions on conducting and motivating younger players.

Meanwhile, composer Philip Sparke will be on hand to share with course members a range of approaches to musical interpretation, while conductor and presenter Frank Renton will be offering his expertise in concert presentation and adjudication.

Roger Webster’s sessions will cover aspects of performance anxiety, motivation and player management – how to maximise the full potential of a band and the conductor’s own performance.

Application details

There are 40 subsidised places available on the SBBA Conducting Course. Applications are invited from conductors and players of all SBBA member bands.

If the course is over-subscribed, priority will be given to those involved in SBBA’s Youth Development Programme projects.

All applications are subject to a single £30 registration fee. The cost of the course is £280 of which £250 will be met through the Scottish Arts Council subsidy.

Application forms

Application forms are available via the SBBA website www.sbba.org.uk
or direct from

Alan Edmond,
SBBA Development Officer,
16 Golf Course Road,
Livingston,
West Lothian,
EH54 8QF.
alanedmond@msn.com