Reminder: Scottish Youth Championships 2015
YOUTH bands across the country have been reminded to get their entries in ahead of the 2015 Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships.
The deadline to enter the event, which takes place on November 21, is the end of September. This year's championships will feature preparatory, novice, development, percussion, senior and premier sections:
- Preparatory section: for bands with upper age limit 12 years on August 1, 2015. Bands in this section may use four over age players and will present a programme of 10 minutes playing time.
- Novice section: for bands upper age limit 14 years on August 1, 2015. Bands in this section may use two over age players and will present a programme of 10 minutes playing time.
- Development section: for bands with upper age limit 16 years on August 1, 2015. Bands in this section will present a programme of 15 minutes playing time and may use two over age players.
- Senior section: for bands upper age limit 18 years on August 1, 2015. Bands in this section will present a programme of 15 minutes playing time.
- Premier section: for bands upper age limit 22 years on August 1, 2015. Bands in this section will present a programme of 20 minutes playing time.
There is no upper or maximum limit on the number of players in each band. With the encouraging number of area bands now entering, and in a bid to encourage young players, players may play in more than one band per section. Due to the success of the contest and number of bands participating, the change over time between bands must be used as efficiently as possible. To accommodate this SBBA provides an experienced stage crew who will work with one nominated adult representative from each band in setting the stage. As a guideline bands will be expected to be ready to play six minutes after the previous band.
Adjudication will be open in all sections, with champions and runners-up in each section. No other placing will be awarded but all bands will be graded with gold, silver and bronze awards in each section. It is considered important that no band taking part should feel any sense of failure and that every band should gain an award and be able to use the contest as a positive experience in the musical development of its members.
As adjudication will be open, the event will be pre-drawn three weeks prior to the event, which will assist bands in making their arrangements for the day of the contest.
The same dispensations which apply in junior solo and quartet contests will apply to these championships. While recognised and accepted brass band instruments are preferred, other instruments may be used as per score.
The entry fee for Scottish bands will be £40 which includes the annual SBBA membership registration fee of £10. (Bands entering for the first time are exempt from this registration fee). No registration will be required.
All competing bands may purchase entry wrist bands for their own band members at the price of £2 each. Tickets for audience members from Perth Concert Hall box office cost £12, (concessions £10) each. However, parents and supporters of the youth bands may purchase concession price tickets for £5 if ordered through the band before November 1, 2015. Audience members of primary school age may purchase £2 wrist bands.
These will be uplifted from the SBBA stand on arrival at the hall.
Please complete and submit the enclosed order form as early as possible along with the appropriate remittance to John Gilmour. As there are limits on the number of bands which can be accommodated, please submit your entry as soon as possible and certainly not later than September 30, 2015. Any entries received after this date will only be accepted at the discretion of the contest controller.
Please note, your wrist band order form may be submitted later and you should not delay submission of your entry form pending completion of your wrist band order form. Bands receiving this information who do not intend to enter the championships please notify the contest controller ASAP. Thanks.
Two copies of music scores must be provided. The scores for bands drawn number one in the opening section both days must be sent to John Gilmour one week before the contest. All other bands must hand in scores to control desk on arrival at Perth Concert Hall. However, programme notes and stage plans for all sections must be sent to John Gilmour one week before the contest. Any band who wishes to use Powerpoints, special lighting or any other staging requests to enhance their performance, must contact Julie Sanderson on 0791 779 8655 as soon as possible and certainly no later than two weeks before the contest. It may not be possible to accommodate any requests received after that date.
An official SBBA photographer will take photographs at the event and also the event will be filmed for public sale as well as SBBA promotional work. Please inform SBBA if you do not wish your band to be photographed.
Further information regarding photographs is available from Linda Cairns: lindaacairns@yahoo.co.uk
All cheques should be made payable to SBBA.
SBBA Bank : Bank of Scotland Sort Code 80-08-85 Acc. No 00797191
Further information and entries should be sent to: John Gilmour. 5 Northbank Drive. Bo'ness West Lothian. EH51 9TP. Tel: 01506 824109. Email:john.gilmour1@blueyonder.co.uk
All correspondence relating to the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships should be sent to John Gilmour, not SBBA secretary Tom Allan.
