Scottish Government announces another year of Youth Music funding at the Scottish Brass Band Festival in Perth
Despite cuts being made to Government department budget across the United Kingdom, Scottish Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop announced during her visit to the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships in Perth Concert Hall (21 November) that the Youth Music Initiative(YMI), which offers young people opportunities to get involved in music projects, is to continue for another year. The Scottish Government currently has a funding commitment until March 2011 and a further £10 million for YMI was included in the draft budget for 2011-12 announced on November 17, 2010.
During the result ceremony in Perth, Ms Hyslop, who confessed to having been "blown away by brass" from what she had heard, said: "I am delighted to announce that the Youth Music Initiative will be continuing for another year. Since its inception in 2003, it has been a great success, providing numerous opportunities for children and young people across Scotland to get involved in music. The Scottish Government is committed to increasing learning through the arts and culture and offering opportunities for young people to develop creative skills - as demonstrated by the Youth Music Initiative, which puts creativity at the heart of learning. By unlocking the creative potential of our young people, we are teaching them to be innovative, resourceful, confident and responsible and equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in the new global economy."
Responding to Ms. Hyslop's announcement, the distinguished brass band conductor and educator Howard Snell, who was one of the judges for the weekend, was effusive in his praise for SBBA's innovative work on behalf of youth brass in Scotland, which he praised as leading the way in the UK.
The Youth Music Initiative, delivered by Creative Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, supports more than 300 projects each year covering all musical genres, age groups and teaching methods. Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, said: "This investment in young people will create opportunities across the whole of Scotland. Through the Youth Music Initiative we are already seeing a new generation of young talent and this major commitment will further enhance Scotland's reputation as a creative nation."
Through the support of the Initiative, SBBA's Youth Development workshops and events, under the dynamic direction of Youth Development Officer Alan Edmond, have led to a significant growth in the numbers of young people playing in brass bands. In five years the number of bands taking part in the annual Youth Championships has risen from eight to 32. This year there were three brand new bands making their first appearances at any competition and more have requested a place for next year.
Speaking on behalf of SBBA, Alan Edmond said: "I am extremely proud of what SBBA has achieved and the way in which hundreds of young people and their families have been encouraged to make the brass band an important part of their lives. It says a great deal about how successful SBBA has been in using the Youth Music Initiative investment that the Culture Minister took the opportunity to announce such a major Government investment to the public at the Scottish Youth Championships."
