Trinity Arts Awards foster creativity in NYBBS musicians

Aside from the rehearsals and social activities taking place at this week’s National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) summer school in Perthshire, many of the young musicians will be broadening their understanding of the arts and improving their communication skills and creativity.

The course has integrated the Trinity College London Arts Awards into the curriculum for all members of the Children’s and Reserve bands.

New Children’s Band members will undertake the Discover Arts Award while returning members and those in the Reserve Band will complete the Explore Award.

Gareth Bowman, Scottish Brass Band Association project officer, commented that the scheme emphasised NYBBS’s commitment to providing diverse skill development opportunities and encouraging reflection on the arts' impact on daily life.

Carole Ednie, SBBA’s Trinity Arts Awards champion, highlighted the additional hands-on workshops available to the students which go beyond performance including:

• Jewellery making (pictured below)

• Crafts

• Keyring making

• Photography

• Composing

• Improvising

• Dance and choreography

• Canvas painting

• Mono printing

Renowned musician and composer Paul Lovatt-Cooper is a special guest at the course throughout the week and his banding journey as a musician and composer is the chosen subject for this year’s Trinity Arts Awards (cover photo).

In addition, he has led a composing workshop and worked with percussionists as well as adjudicating the coveted Richard Evans Senior Solo competition.

Carrie Boax, SBBA president and NYBBS course director, is proud of Paul’s long-standing support for Scotland’s young instrumentalists, praising his motivating and charismatic presence.

Gareth Bowman with Trinity Arts Awards champion Carole Ednie (left) and advisers Hayley Dickson and Ailsa Bell

NYBBS now boasts four trained Trinity Arts advisors who have been instrumental in planning and delivering the Discover and Explore Arts Awards. Further training for Bronze and Silver levels is planned, offering future accreditation opportunities for NYBBS ambassadors to acknowledge their dedication and skill development.

The Scottish Brass Band Association is now an accredited exam centre for the Trinity Arts Awards

The NYBBS summer course is supported with funding from Creative Scotland through its Youth Music Initiative.

The course culminates in two concerts at Perth Concert Hall on Friday. Tickets for these performances are available via Ticket Source at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/nybbs