SBBA Appoints new Press Officer
Scottish Brass Band Association
SBBA APPOINTS NEW PRESS OFFICER
The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) is pleased to announce that Paul Hindmarsh has accepted an invitation is to become its Press Officer with immediate effect. Although he comes from the South of England and has lived in Greater Manchester for 25 years, Hindmarsh's varied professional life began in Glasgow in the 1970s, combining a singing career with the management of the Scottish Music Information Centre. In 1985 he moved to Manchester and spent 21 years as producer for BBC Radio, during which time he founded the Festival of Brass, now promoted by the Royal Northern College of Music. In addition to his work as a music producer, Hindmarsh is an active music consultant, editor, journalist and researcher.
SBBA President George Burt views the appointment as beneficial for banding in Scotland: In recent years brass bands have been neglected in the media and the arts establishment. With Paul's knowledge of bands and his experience as journalist and broadcast producer, coupled with the great progress we are making, particularly in youth development, I have no doubt that the message of the value of brass bands to society will be put over strongly to decision makers and public alike. In common with the rest of the UK, the brass band community in Scotland has gone through some tough times and a decline in membership. So while there are bands still playing from Campbeltown to Kirkwall, feeling part of a flourishing community is challenged by basic geography. There are positive signs of revival in the seeding of new groups and in the enterprising workshops and performance opportunities that SBBA and the local Associations have already promoted. Hindmarsh views the message as a positive one: I am happy to use my professional experience of working in radio and in print, plus my own life-long passion for the brass band medium, to help spread the good news story that brass bands are bouncing back in Scotland.
24 May 2010, for immediate release
SBBA PRESS OFFICER: Paul Hindmarsh
Tel.: +44 (0)7860 707780
email: pehindmarsh@btinternet.com
