SBBA Conducting Course
PRESS RELEASE: 2 June 2010
SCOTTISH BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION CONDUCTING COURSE,
16 & 17 October 2010
The Scottish Brass Band Association has created an unrivalled opportunity for new and aspiring brass band conductors to develop their skills and raise their ambitions. As SBBA Development Officer Alan Edmond observes, 'Now that SBBA's Youth Development Programme is growing, there is a shortage of conductors with appropriate skills and experience. Many well established players in brass bands take on the conducting role almost by default. Inspired by the world-renowned coaching scheme set up by the Scottish Football Association, we want to provide the means for those with conducting aspirations to enrich enthusiasm with expertise by learning from the best.'
This new SBBA initiative, supported by the Scottish Arts Council, has been developed in association with Alliance Education and the UHI, the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands. Securing a substantial grant from the Scottish Arts Council will enable 40 successful applicants to benefit from the experience and skills of a quintet of world class tutors for a single fee of £30.
The course designer is Dr. Roger Webster, distinguished cornetist, trumpeter and authority on performance psychology: 'The aim of the course is to help raise the skill levels of brass band conductors on a number of fronts. Approaches to band training, musical interpretation, the motivation and management of players as well as concert presentation will be covered. SBBA has identified that the need for more conductors with appropriate musical and leadership skills will grow, as its youth development programme continues to expand. This course offers a range of introductory modules that may lead to further focussed study.'
The course will be delivered by Alliance Education from Perth College UHI. Dr. Sheila Lodge is Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for UHI: 'I am delighted that we are working with SBBA to make this exciting and innovative course available. UHI already offers a variety of degrees and diplomas in popular and traditional music, but this is the first time we have engaged with the Scottish brass band community, which is growing rapidly across the Highlands and Islands. We look forward very much to welcoming Dr Webster, the tutorial team and all those taking part in what I am sure will be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience.'
LEARNING FROM THE BEST
The course is in two parts. A modular introduction, delivered on-line, will be followed by an intensive weekend of contact sessions in Perth College UHI (16 & 17 October) with five of the brass band community's most distinguished high-achievers.
The weekend's conducting coach will be Allan Withington, who is widely acknowledged to be one of the brass band community's most inspiring developers of conducting and rehearsal technique. He will also be focussing on aspects of concert and contest preparation. Ian Porthouse, conductor of the Tredegar and Hepworth bands, will be leading sessions on conducting and motivating younger players. Composer Philip Sparke will be on hand to share with course members a range of approaches to musical interpretation, while conductor and presenter Frank Renton will be offering his expertise in concert presentation and adjudication. Roger Webster's sessions will cover aspects of performance anxiety, motivation and player management - how to maximise the full potential of a band and the conductor's own performance.
APPLICATION DETAILS
There are 40 subsidised places available on the SBBA Conducting Course. Applications are invited from conductors and players of all SBBA member bands. If the course is over-subscribed, priority will be given to those involved in SBBA's Youth Development Programme projects. All applications are subject to a single £30 registration fee. The cost of the course is £280 of which £250 will be met through the Scottish Arts Council subsidy.
Application form 
Send to:
Alan Edmond,
SBBA Development Officer,
16 Golf Course Road,
Livingston,
West Lothian,
EH54 8QF.
