New strategy for the development of NYBBS
The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) and its parent body, the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA), are pleased to announce a new strategy for the development of NYBBS. The strategy was agreed at a meeting between NYBBS Musical Director Richard Evans, NYBBS Director Neil Cross and SBBA officials. Richard Evans welcomed it as an excellent strategy which would raise the standard of performance of the band to new heights.
Instead of being a summer course-based band, NYBBS will now have a permanent existence, able to undertake performances throughout the year. The summer course will continue as a training event, as will a new Easter and possibly New Year course (though shorter). The other bands incorporated into the NYBBS family - the National Children's Brass Band of Scotland and the National Youth Reserve Brass Band of Scotland - will also have their own distinct identities and separate summer course.
"This will make it much easier to organise the summer course, which was already becoming very large" says Neil Cross, Course Director "and NYBBS has been receiving an increasing number of requests for high profile public performances, so this more formal arrangement will facilitate us being able to fulfil them more readily."
SBBA will provide the support necessary for implementing and developing the new plans, and its Vice President responsible for NYBBS, Carrie Boax, emphasised the benefits for the brass band movement in Scotland "It can only be good for all bands to have a stronger NYBBS, the pinnacle of youth development, enabling top class young musicians to feed into mainstream bands and raise the standard of brass bands in general throughout the country".
But it is the artistic status of NYBBS that is the most important aspect of the move. "This will place NYBBS firmly on the same level as other national youth companies, such as the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the National Youth Choir of Scotland" says Andrew Duncan, SBBA's Development Manager. "We are also looking into increasing the upper age limit in line with Europe-wide standards, as is currently being adopted by the other national youth companies".
The new strategy for NYBBS will broaden the benefits to all its members and will provide an innovative and structured development of educational and performance opportunities well into the future.
Clair Tomalin
Press & Publicity
The Scottish Brass Band Association &
The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland
Mob: 07949 123 069
Email: ClairTomalin@sbba.org.uk
Web: https://www.sbba.org.uk
