The Scottish Brass Band Association has announced record entries for their forthcoming Youth Championships, due to take place at Perth Concert Hall on 26th and 27th November.
Largest ever
37 youth bands comprising well over 1,000 young musicians make it the largest ever event in its history.
To meet the demand, SBBA has spread the five different youth sections over the weekend, in addition to the senior Scottish Open Championships also taking place on Saturday 26th November.
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Challenge Cup (which caters for bands in Sections 1 to 4) will take place the following weekend on 3 December at the Bonar Hall, University of Dundee.
Even greater growth
Andrew Duncan, Development Manager for SBBA told 4BR: "The record entries are a testament to the immense amount of activity that continues to evolve in the youth brass banding throughout Scotland.
This is a significant increase on last year’s entry and we can foresee that there will be an even greater growth next year."
The record entries are a testament to the immense amount of activity that continues to evolve in the youth brass banding throughout ScotlandSBBA Development Officer, Andy Duncan
Eight new bands
He added: "The Youth Championships has now really established itself as a landmark event.
We are especially pleased to be welcoming Brass Sounds Inverclyde Youth, Galashiels Youth, Irvine and Dreghorn Youth, Kingdom Youth, Kinneil Youth, South Ayrshire Youth, The Big Noise Brass Band (Sistema Scotland) and St John Secondary School (Dundee) – eight bands entering for the first time this year."
Premier increase
Andy concluded: "We are also delighted to see that the increase in numbers is included in the Premier Section too. This year five bands will be performing, including the defending champions Carnoustie and District Youth Band, each offering a short programme to the delight of the audience."
The Youth Championships offer entries in five different categories – Preparatory, Novice, Development, Senior and Premier Sections – enabling bands at various stages of progress to experience a competitive environment playing to an audience of well over 1,000 enthusiastic supporters.
Non stop
Andrew though is determined that the growth doesn’t stop: "The increased demand in the Scottish Youth Championship has been a heart-warming problem. However, we are still in a position to welcome further entries in the Preparatory, Novice and Premier sections."
Further information and interest:
Any interested groups should contact John Gilmour at:
johngilmour@sbba.org.uk
