The British Federation of Brass Bands launched its latest ‘One Voice’ initiative on the weekend in Birmingham, to try and bring a coherent and hopefully, singular, long term direction to youth development from within the movement.

Seminar

The seminar was open to representatives from various brass band associations throughout the country, as well as leading educationalists in the local government.

It was chaired by Paul Hindmarsh, the outgoing Editor of Brass Band World magazine, and one of the most articulate progressive ‘voices’ in this area of brass band development.

We are trying to ensure that the BFBB and the brass band movement as a whole speaks with a unified voice in respect to youth developmentRobert Morgan MBE

Varied debate

Over 30 delegates attended, to listen and debate with speakers as diverse as Nigel Morgan, Philip Watson and Derek Atkinson from the BFBB, Alun F Williams and Steve Legg from Greater Gwent and Gloucester Music Services, Ian Carter from the Southern Counties Amateur Brass Band Association, Louise Renshaw from Macclesfield Youth Band and Peter Fraser from the Scottish Brass Band Association.

Topics

Topics covered ranged from youth bands and their links to their local communities, to local authority organisational structures, links and developments, the progressive outlook of a local brass band association, the structure and work of the BFBB as well as shorter reports on work in Scotland, the Arts Council and even banding in retirement.

Pleased

BFBB Chairman Robert Morgan was very pleased with the response, and felt that the initiative was well worthwhile.

"We are trying to ensure that the BFBB and the brass band movement as a whole speaks with a unified voice in respect to youth development. It is of immense importance to the long term health of the movement, and the seminar gave us the chance to understand the work that goes in other areas and hopefully start to develop beneficial constructive links."

A report from the event will be published on 4BR.