Two new hosts required for SBBA Speaks podcast

Banders Iona McVicar and Laura Carter have announced that they are giving up their roles as hosts of the SBBA Speaks podcast at the end of the year.

They are hoping to pass on their microphones to two new hosts in 2023 and there will be application forms available for the roles at the Scottish Youth Championships on Sunday.

Said Iona: “We would like to thank SBBA for allowing us to take on this opportunity in the first place. We are looking for new young people to take over the podcast and myself and Laura will be around all day on Sunday to answer any questions or give you any more information about what it’s like to host the podcast.”

Laura commented: “The podcast has given us so many brilliant skills, both in terms of writing and researching the scripts and podcast content, but also recording, editing and interviewing.

“It has been such a great opportunity but we now feel it is time to pass the podcast on so that other young people can learn and benefit from it as much as we have.”

Iona added: “We encourage anyone who has ever thought about a career in media or journalism to think about applying. All you need is to love brass banding and have the ability to talk. Everything else is easy to learn.”

The duo have produced 11 episodes of SBBA Speaks in the past 12 months.

Laura is looking to complete her BMus music degree, directing community outreach projects and choirs and is thinking about starting her own podcast.

Iona will be working as a music researcher for BBC Radio Scotland.

SBBA education officer John Boax said: “The SBBA Speaks podcast has been one of the most successful projects that SBBA has undertaken with the support of Creative Scotland.

“Iona and Laura are the reason for this amazing success. Producing all aspects of the show from contacting people to interview, choosing interesting subjects to speak about and meeting their monthly deadlines, they have worked tirelessly to make this a regular listen for all brass band minded people in Scotland.

“Theirs will be a hard act to follow, but they are leaving the podcast with a strong fanbase for whoever takes over. A huge thank-you for all of your hard work and dedication!”