YOUNG SCOTS HEAD FOR LINZ
Young Scots head for Linz
Four young Scottish players are relieved that the Eyjafjoell volcano in Iceland is beginning to subside and flights are getting back to normal as they are scheduled to fly to Linz, Austria this Saturday to take part in the European Brass Band Championships.
Hayley Edmond, Eoin Tonner and Nicole Waddel are all going to join the European Youth Brass Band who commence their week long course on Sunday culminating with a performance in the gala concert on the final night of the championships next Sunday. This will be a fabulous experience for the talented trio. Eoin who plays cornet recently won the best instrumentalist at the British Youth Brass Band Championships and is sure to feature in the top cornets. Hayley, a talented flugel horn player with Whitburn Band, West Lothian Schools Brass Band and an accomplished soloist. Nicole, a trombonist with Bathgate Band and West Lothian Schools Brass Band who will soon commence study at Birmingham Conservatoire.
This will be a great opportunity for the young Scots to play alongside some of the best young European players and to savour the atmosphere of the sell out European Championships. Hayley said, "It will be a great experience playing with the EYBB and meeting other players from all over Europe. Some of my friends have played with EYBB in the past and had a brilliant time and I am delighted to be representing Scotland in the band this year".
Ross Knight from Carnoustie is travelling to Linz on a different mission. He was invited and part sponsored by SBBA to represent Scotland in the European Solo Championships which is a knock out competition held over a four day period with fifty eight competitors entered. Ross who won the Scottish Solo and Slow Melody as well at the 21 and under solo titles at this year's Besson Scottish Solo Championships is fast becoming an established soloist. Ross who is seventeen said, "I can't wait to get to Linz, I am really looking forward to competing against the top solo players in Europe and hope that I can do Scotland proud".
One other Scot travelling to Linz later in the week is Ailsa Russell. 18 year old Ailsa, tenor horn with Cory who is in her first year at the Royal Welsh College of music is going along with Cory to defend their title. Ailsa is a member of the Carnoustie and District youth brass band, ex member of Arbroath Instrumental and a member of NYBBS. Ailsa is 1st horn with the band and this is quite an achievement for someone so young.
