SBBA receives £100k funding award

Young brass players are among those to benefit from the latest Youth Music Initiative funding announcement (picture courtesy of Drew Farrell).

THE Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) has been awarded £100,000 from the Scottish Government's Youth Music Initiative (YMI).

SBBA was named as one of the recipients of the £1.1 million of funding, receiving the award following an announcement on March 4.

Carrie Boax, SBBA president, commented: "I'm delighted that the Scottish Brass Band Association has been awarded the maximum amount of funding, highlighting the confidence that exists in our youth development strategy.

"The funding award will enable us to widen the opportunities which are available to young brass and percussion players. It will help establish new youth brass bands throughout Scotland and in doing so, give young people an opportunity to learn skills which will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives."

Confirmation of the award came as representatives from a wide variety of arts organisations gathered at The Platform in Easterhouse, Glasgow, where a speech was made by culture secretary, Fiona Hyslop.

She said: “I want culture to be for all young people because all young people deserve to experience the joy and happiness that experience and performance in the arts can bring.

“I know the difference that the arts can make to young people and to their life chances. Access to arts and culture not only give young people a chance to take part in these incredibly important activities, they also help them build skills and open the door to a better future.

Picture courtesy of Drew Farrell.

“Participation in arts and culture can help young people realise their ambitions, wherever they lie. This can have huge benefits, and must be a priority, even in difficult financial times.

“This government supports young people and recognises the role youth arts play both as a platform to develop skills for the future and to tackle inequalities."

Raymond Black, youth music manager at Creative Scotland, said: “Creative learning underpins Creative Scotland’s commitment to ensuring that everyone can access and enjoy artistic creative experiences whoever they are, wherever they are from and at any stage in their life. YMI has given thousands of young people across Scotland the opportunity to learn about and enjoy music making activities.

"Taking part in musical activities can make a real difference to the lives of children and young people, as well as being fun and enjoyable, communications skills, confidence and self-esteem are developed and enhanced whilst also creating career pathways for Scotland’s young talent.

"Our continued strong partnership with all thirty two of Scotland’s local authorities enables the YMI to have a truly national reach. This partnership working ensures more children from all backgrounds, in all parts of Scotland, have an equal chance to develop and achieve their potential.

"None of this would be possible without the hugely talented and dedicated music practitioners working in communities across Scotland, increasing young people’s awareness of music, arts and culture from Scotland and across the world."

Other recipients of £1.1 million YMI funding include Sistema Scotland, the National Piping Centre, Reeltime Music, Sound Waves and Hazelwood Vision.