Starter grant success for Strathearn

John Boax, SBBA education officer (far left) with Jim Wishart, band manager of Brass Central Strathearn (far right) and young brass players who benefited from the SBBA start-up kit.

THE future is bright for a Perth and Kinross brass band after it secured a funding boost to help nurture the next generation of musical talent.

Brass Central Strathearn, based in Crieff, celebrated after it received a starter grant from the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA), with recruitment plans now well underway.

The funding award has been used to purchase instruments for the group, which will be tutored by qualified tutor, Clare Haddow, who is also principal cornet player of Brass Central Strathearn.

Jim Wishart, band manager, commented: “The starter kit is a tremendous boost for the band. We are contacting all schools in the area and have a number of young players who are benefiting from the opportunity to learn a brass instrument.

“We are self-funded through donations from local businesses and subscriptions from band members so we are extremely grateful to the Scottish Brass Band Association for helping us play a part in looking after the future of the brass band movement in Perth and Kinross.”

John Boax, SBBA education officer, commented: “It gave me great pleasure to meet with the organisers in Strathearn, where the potential for young talent to flourish is clear.

“The benefits of playing a brass instrument are wide-reaching and have a tremendous impact on a young person’s development.

“I know the young players taking their first steps in their brass band careers will enjoy a lifelong involvement with the movement and I look forward to welcoming them to SBBA events in the years to come.”

Anyone looking to apply or find out more information about a SBBA starter kit should email Tom Allan, SBBA secretary: tom.allan@ntlworld.com.