The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) is currently undertaking a major exercise which it hopes will seek to halt and possibly reverse the slow but steady decline in both numbers of brass bands and numbers of playing members which has affected the movement in Scotland.

Aim

It's aim sees SBBA wishing to assist bands to create stronger and more sustainable units and provide a regulatory framework for band contests with a modern and efficient framework which meets the requirements of its member bands.

This exercise provides an opportunity to help shape the future direction of brass bands in Scotland. Don’t miss this opportunity to play a full part and to have your saySBBA

Co-operation

The SBBA Executive has requested the co-operation of its member bands in considering a range of topics where rule and organisational changes are under consideration.

Concerns

Concerns have arisen in the field of youth development where SBBA believe many young players leave brass banding when they reach the 16 -18 age group. As a result youth development initiatives often fail to produce the new adult players which bands require to ensure survival in the future.

There is also a general awareness on the part of SBBA of the problem of a lack of players which is affecting many bands and which is making it increasingly difficult for bands to undertake their traditional activities including participation in contests.

Changes

In an attempt to address these various issues the SBBA Executive, through its Development Committee, is considering changes to existing structures and rules.

The ambitious aims are to make it as easy as possible to introduce young players into adult bands, to assist in the retention of young players, in appropriate circumstances to encourage successful youth bands to become senior contesting bands and to assist existing senior bands at all levels to participate in and gain benefit from an involvement in contests.

In making any changes they hope to balance the potential benefits with the need to ensure that the regulatory framework remains fair to all bands.

Reflect wishes

SBBA also state that changes will only be made if they reflect the wishes of the bands and their members. All band members are therefore being given an opportunity to participate in the decision making process.

SBBA state that it is anxious to ensure that as many people as possible have an opportunity to express their views on the various topics under discussion and that the views expressed by each band reflect the opinions of the majority of its members and not just those of the band Secretary or a small group of officials.

Submit response

Each band is asked to submit its response to the various questions which are being posed using a form issued to each band secretary by 29th February.

The various responses will be collated and analysed and SBBA’s Development Committee will then frame final proposals for rule and other changes in line with the views which have been expressed by a majority of the respondents.

As SBBA has clearly stated: "This exercise provides an opportunity to help shape the future direction of brass bands in Scotland. Don’t miss this opportunity to play a full part and to have your say."

http://www.sbba.org.uk/download/CONSULTATION_PAPER_FOR_BAND_MEMBERS.pdf