President\'s Award for Alan Edmond
At the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland end of course concert on Saturday 6th August, Scottish Brass Band Association President, George Burt, gave an appreciation of the work and achievements over the past 5 years of Alan Edmond, who on 15th August, along with wife Laura and son Scott, emigrate to Australia. Alan's two daughters will continue their studies in Edinburgh.
George Burt spoke highly of Alan's work as Development Officer of SBBA for the past 5 years; he has been responsible for the increase of new youth bands in Scotland from 8 to over 40. He has also been responsible for a programme of youth band development that is now being used as blueprint in other parts of the UK. George was delighted to honour Alan with SBBA's Presidents Award and wished Alan and the family best wishes for their new life in Melbourne.
In reply, Alan explained the reason for his move: "My wife Laura has been offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to move to Melbourne with one of Australia's top recruitment companies. We will be sad to leave behind all our friends and family in the brass band world, especially this wonderful NYBBS".
Alan has been involved with the SBBA Committee since 1994 and has seen many changes in that time, Alan said "the last five years as the Development Officer has been a fantastic experience, which I have enjoyed immensely. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Office Bearers and all the SBBA Committee for their fantastic support in the last five years and wish them continued success for the future".
Alan started playing at the age of eight with Livingston Brass Band. On leaving school in 1984 he trained in the world of corporate finance working with the Lloyds Bank Group and ultimately became an experienced Business Manager specialising in automotive finance. A change of career in 2000 enabled him to combine his work with his great passion for music which included Sales Management roles with Normans Musical Instruments, Band Supplies and Besson Musical Instruments. During this period he also gained valuable experience whilst working as a Brass Instructor with North Lanarkshire Council. In January 2007 he was appointed as the full-time Development Officer with The Scottish Brass Band Association. He was also President of the European Brass Band Association Music Commission.
Alan has played with West Lothian Schools, NYBBS, CWS (Glasgow) and Whitburn. It was on one of those early visits to Australia with CWS Glasgow Band that gave Alan the idea he would like to return some day.
With modern technology and Skype! no doubt we have not heard the last of Alan Edmond and we wish the family a successful and enjoyable life down under.
An appreciation also appeared on 4barsrest.com from Iwan Fox, says it all.
In praise of Alan Edmond
The imminent departure of Alan Edmond, the Scottish Brass Band Association's Development Officer to a new life in Australia with his family, should be celebrated despite the massive creative hole he leaves behind to be filled.
It is highly unlikely that the banding movement in the UK, let alone Scotland will see his like again.
Passionately committed, outstandingly professional, breathtakingly articulate and almost evangelically inspired to succeed, he has perhaps done more than anyone to provide Scottish banding with a long term foundation on which to build community based youth banding initiatives.
SBBAs support of his work has been unstinting - the results, nothing short of remarkable.
In the last two weeks, he travelled to Wales to offer practical support, advice and inspiration to bands and administrators wishing to implement the Scottish template for success.
Not everyone has shared his commitment and drive to see brass banding flourish, yet no one can deny that he has been one of the most inspired and successful advocates for the benefits of a vibrant brass band movement anywhere in the world.
The Australian banding movement has gained a quite remarkable asset - no wonder the bunting will be out in force when he touches down in Melbourne later this month.
We wish him well. He will be missed.
