New youth band ready to hit the high notes
Youngsters on Arran have become the latest recipients of a start-up kit from the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) to help them form a brand new youth band.
The funding boost of £2,500 saw the new community youth outfit receive 16 new brass instruments and a drum kit to help get the project up and running. Consisting of primary school pupils from across the island, the new band will rehearse in Arran High School.
John Boax, SBBA education officer, commented: ‘This is very exciting and it was a delight to travel to Arran to deliver instruments bought with the SBBA start-up kit. The benefits of playing a brass instrument are wide-reaching and have a tremendous impact on a young person’s musical and social development.
‘We would like to wish the new youth band in Arran all the very best and look forward to welcoming it to SBBA events in the years to come. Hopefully this is the first of many more new youth bands in our commitment to developing young players of the future.’
The Arran project successfully received funding following contact made by May Murray, music service co-ordinator of North Ayrshire Council, and David Lambert, depute headteacher at Arran High School.
Mr Lambert said: ‘This project is very exciting and will make a real difference to our young people.
‘The SBBA start-up kit has allowed us to purchase instruments which means we can now start working with the young people and begin what I am sure will be a lifetime of music-making.’
SBBA start-up kits are open to anyone looking to set up a new youth band which is not affiliated with an existing organisation. Anyone looking to apply or find out more information should email Tom Allan, of the SBBA executive at: TomAllan@sbba.org.uk