SBBA Reponse to Scotland on Sunday article on brass bands
The Editor,
Scotland on Sunday
25 February 2011
Dear Sir,
Sound and fury: Scottish Bands reply
The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) and its 110 member bands wish to respond to what we consider to be unrepresentative remarks quoted in Peter Ross's feature Sound and fury: Buckhaven and Methil Miners' Brass Band do battle, in last week's Scotland on Sunday. We do not recognise the picture of Scottish brass banding as painted by his principal contributor, Mr.Jim Hyslop.
Mr.Hyslop's outdated views have little to do with the current positive and forward-thinking approach to brass banding in Scotland espoused by the majority of SBBA members as they seek, with substantial support from the Scottish Government's Youth Music Initiative, to re-invigorate the sector. Through its Youth Development programme, SBBA member bands are pro-active in building new bands and inspiring a new generation of young brass players with values of integrity, team work and co-operation. Indeed contrary to the impression conveyed in Mr. Hyslop's remarks, our bands, including those in Fife, help each other out and co-operate in the running of training workshops for young players.
The Minister of Culture, Fiona Hyslop, saw for herself the genuine face of Scottish banding when she visited the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships held in Perth last November. During an inspirational day's music making, over 1000 young people aged from eight to twenty one were involved in performances demonstrating high levels of skill and musicality.
The work achieved by SBBA and its member bands is recognised in the UK and Europe as an exemplar of leading youth development and organisation.
Yours faithfully,
George Burt
President, Scottish Brass Band Association
