Report on SBBA Annual General/Conference on 28th October
George Burt welcomed approximately 75 attendees to the 2012 SBBA Annual Conference with an uplifting address to highlight the unique approach of the Association which provides support and involvement for brass band music across the full spectrum of ages and abilities.
Andrew Duncan, Development Manager then followed with a positive review of 2011/12, identifying the many new initiatives and developments which have taken place throughout the previous 12 months. Once again, there has been a significant increase in the creation of youth bands throughout Scotland during this period and SBBA's new responsibility for The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland introduced a number of new initiatives to their 2012 Summer Course together with the creation of a development plan for its future. Additional funding is being sought in support of this significant growth in the youth arena, together with the introduction of part-time Regional Development Officers to assist bands across the country with their youth development plans in a more localised manner.
Andrew reflected on the success of the series of the support workshops held by SBBA for conductors and tutors, highlighting exciting plans to expand this series with additional topics including percussion tutoring, band administration and advancing stages of youth band development. He also announced the intention to set up a series of master-classes, pulling on the wide variety of high-profile instrumentalists available to the Association through its network of sponsors.
Lynsey Paterson, Child Protection Officer, then presented an introduction to the updated legal requirements and obligations for child protection policies, helping to unravel this sometimes complicated, yet absolutely critical element for bands to implement into their day-to-day running of their organisations.
This was followed by presentations from John Hamilton, Sponsorship and Project Management and Clair Tomalin, Press & Publicity. Both speakers explained the objectives and significant achievements of their relatively new roles within the Association. John provided attendees with an insight into the prolific activity and strategies that are taking place to secure on-going funding and associated opportunities, as well as the successes in gaining sponsorship to complement the grants from Creative Scotland. Clair then identified the many developments taking place to establish a more professional profile for the Association, nurturing a greater awareness of SBBA and NYBBS to a wider audience, and highlighting the many ways member bands can work together towards this common goal, to the benefit of all.
Following Professor Wallace's remarkable keynote presentation, George Burt, Andrew Duncan, John Hamilton and Clair Tomalin then took to the podium to discuss the forthcoming European Festival of Brass 2014 (incorporating the 2014 European Brass Band Championships). Attendees were fully updated on the exciting prospects of this world class event which, amongst the many planned events to be based in Perth, will involve bands and communities across the whole country in outreach projects and performances as part of a nationwide celebration of brass music.
The conference then led into the official matters of the SBBA 2012 Annual General Meeting and included the formal presentation of an official medal to Peter Fraser as Honorary Vice President of SBBA, in recognition of his many years of outstanding work.
The newly elected Executive Committee include:
President: George Burt, Vice President & Events Manager: Carrie Boax,
Secretary & Registrar: Tom Allan, Treasurer: Karla MacPherson, Press Officer: Clair Tomalin,
Development Manager: Andrew Duncan, Fundraising & Marketing: John Hamilton.
Minute Secretary: Raymond Thomson.
Executive Committee: Robert Burns, John Gilmour - Youth Championships Event Manager.
Steven Gray, Robert McCorkell, Lynsey Paterson, Child Protection Officer.
Andrew Smith, Julie Sanderson, Alan Douglas, John Muir, John Martin,
Seven Honorary Vice-Presidents, David Cunningham, Peter Fraser MBE, Ian Gordon
Hugh Johnstone MBE, Alex Denholm, James Stewart, Alan McLaren.
In addition there are 5 Area Associations represented.
Following the event, the re-elected SBBA President, George Burt, said "Today has been a fantastic opportunity to illustrate the consistent and progressive achievements of SBBA. We have a great team, working with a clear focus on a wide range of aspirational, yet achievable objectives.
Our development strategy will ensure that the future of our member bands is secure. Conversely, bands have the most important role in creating a positive public profile by changing the emphasis more on performance than on competition.
We'd also like to think that our record of delivering the most successful and cost-effective arts development programme in Scotland will be recognised by achieving the longer term funding that is accorded to other arts organisations."
