Listen to the new Gorbals Youth Brass band on SBBA Radio
Click here to Listen to Mark Good's report on the launchof the new Gorbals Youth Brass Band
Twenty young musicians celebrated the formal launch of The Gorbals Youth Brass Band in style at a celebration party on Wednesday 20th June. Guests were treated to a stunning performance by the band of ‘Going The Distance', whose members come from the two local primary schools St Francis and Blackfriars. They had been preparing the piece for their inaugural public performance which took place the previous week at the Kelvingrove Museum as part of the Olympiad initiative ‘Brass The Baton', so they were delighted to be given another chance to demonstrate how much they had learnt in such a short time.
The event was also attended by enthusiastic parents and supporters, including representatives from The Scottish Brass Band Association (Tom Allan), The National Youth Choirs of Scotland (Jennifer Martin), The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (John Logon) and The Givin It Laldie Choirs (Shelley Coyne). As part of the launch, the founders of the band Helen Douthwaite and Lauren McCormick offered heart-warming presentations which explained the journey they had travelled to turn their initial idea into the reality that was evident at the celebration.
This was also an ideal opportunity for them to publicly acknowledge the assistance they had received from many sources, including the initial start-up guidance and support from The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) through its Youth Development Programme in Scotland. In response, Tom Allan, Secretary and attending representative of SBBA congratulated the band members, leaders and other supporters for all that had been achieved and the important role such youth music projects are playing in Scotland's communities.
Co-founders, Helen Douthwaite and Lauren McCormick commented: "It has been a fantastic day for everyone involved with the band - attending the special Simon Bolivar Orchestra brass section concert earlier today, along with our neighbours, Coatbridge Youth Band, was inspirational for the members, and now they're enjoying their own performance success playing to their parents and friends of the band. The youngsters have all worked so hard, right from the first rehearsal when we didn't even have instruments, so it's been great to celebrate their achievements of the last 10 weeks with our launch party."
The young players also had an opportunity to take the spotlight, enjoying the chance to be interviewed by presenter of SBBA Radio, Mark Good (programme now available at https://www.sbba.org.uk/sbba-radio), where many of them recounted the busy times they've had since turning up to their first rehearsal. Without any instruments available, the members were given a few weeks of valuable lessons in core musicianship skills. When enough funds were raised and the instruments arrived, all their preparation was put straight into practice. Since then, they've performed in public at the landmark venue of Kelvingrove Museum, have attended a special invitation concert in Stirling by the brass section from the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, and were now providing a celebration mini-concert of their own. Already, they have experienced first-hand the fun, opportunities and benefits that can be achieved through their participation in music.
It's safe to say that The Gorbals Youth Band has now been launched, has full lift-off and can set its sights high on an exciting future, with the enjoyment of making music and building community spirit being at the heart of its ongoing success.
