AGM looks to the future after a ‘roller coaster’ banding year

Representatives of Scottish bands gathered at Falkirk Stadium today (Sunday) for the first in-person annual general meeting of the Scottish Brass Band Association in three years.

Delegates were welcomed to the meeting by SBBA president Carrie Boax who told them that 2022 had been something of a “roller coaster year” as far as banding had been concerned.

The start of the year had seen the Covid pandemic still affect the work of the organisation and so the SBBA executive made the right decision to hold a virtual AGM and Learning Festival in the January.

“This was despite a glimmer of hope in December 2021 when some of our bands did manage to perform live music, in small pockets around the country, some at carolling outdoor events, some even delivering bespoke concerts to much appreciative audiences,” she said.

“Whilst it seems in many ways a distant memory now, the impact on our membership took its toll, with some of our players unable to return to rehearsals due to poor health and some bands sadly unable to compete in March at the Scottish Championships in Perth.

“Restrictions that were still in place – physical space, mask wearing, cleaning and sanitising all aspects of the facility as well as the stage and still finding ourselves distanced from our bandsmen during the performances – made it still a very surreal, stressful and strange experience.

“Despite all of this, three of our 4b community bands along with 47 competing bands competed to be crowned Scottish Champions and we were delighted to meet again in person and catch up with those that we had not seen in over two years.”

Carrie Boax addresses the AGM

However, there was a dark cloud that hung over the competition. Carrie said: “SBBA as an organisation strives to always provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all those who I proudly call ‘family’.  Whether winners or losers at our 2022 championships, the tragic loss of Beth Damer, much loved member of the Coalburn Band Family, was felt by all that weekend and reinforced how precious and fragile life truly is.”

She continued: “Our young people as always, continue to inspire us and affirm the sustainability of our movement. Our events and education sub-committees continued to work hard in 2022 to keep music live and, as the restrictions eased again and funding was awarded from the Scottish Government’s YMI initiative, we held our Scottish Solo and Ensemble Finals in March and our Easter NYBBS course in April with over 90 young players showcasing their skill and talents at both events.

“The NYBBS Easter course was filled with much excitement as our three MDs Ian Porthouse, John Boax and Alan Fernie prepared our members of the Reserve and Senior Band for a virtual concert, achieving over 1000 views, and even more exciting for those youngsters, preparing a programme for The European Brass Band Youth Championships in Birmingham later on that month.

“I was bursting with pride as every one of them truly did Scotland proud at the contest, dealing with the devastating news in Whitburn’s band hall at our only rehearsal after the Easter course that our conductor emeritus, our number fan, dear friend and very much the driving force, Richard Evans had sadly passed away.

“My congratulations to the cooperation band on two superb performances and thanks to SBBA executive members, our NYBBS families and to EBBA and BBE and all of the participating bands for making the event happen.”

The summer and autumn 2022 events started to have more of a pre-Covid feeling to them. The NYBBS Summer course in Strathallan, Perthshire, built upon the success of a much restricted course in 2021 and the three bands with over 170 players and 35 staff hosted a superb summer concert series in August.

“We were encouraged to see the West, the Borders and Fife Area Association contests return against all of the odds, Creative Scotland funding saw new youth bands emerge and in the Northern Counties area we even welcomed existing bands into the association.”

Scottish Bands competed successfully at the British Open in Birmingham in September, the National Finals in Cheltenham and London, not forgetting a welcome return to the Scottish Open, Challenge and Youth Championships in Perth in November 2022.

“Bands and players I have spoken to during this past year have suggested how much more connected they feel with, not only the organisation, but with other local bands and players who are happy to help whether at contests, concerts or even a carolling gig on a cold December evening,” Carrie said.

“Maybe we now appreciate what life is like when banding’s gone, giving the phrase Keep Music Live post-pandemic in 2022 much more meaning and value than it ever had before.”

Carrie paid tribute to SBBA’s sponsors and partner organisations, officers, committee members, area representatives and volunteers for their tireless support of the association and added: “If you are in need of any advice, support or motivation, reach out and connect with any member of the team as keeping connected is what has helped us all to grow and develop as we strive to be stronger and better bands in the weeks, months and years ahead.”

During her presentation of the SBBA financial statement, treasurer Julie Nicoll revealed that SBBA committee members, volunteers and helpers had given almost 4000 hours of their own time to the smooth running of the parent organisation, area associations and band events during 2022, a figure on which future funding from Creative Scotland would depend.

Carrie Boax and Julie Nicoll were re-elected to the posts of president and treasurer unopposed and the following committee members were appointed:

Danny Harrison (Dunfermline City), Jim Wishart (Brass Central Strathearn), Grant Brown (Clackmannan District), Brian Hutchison (Buckhaven & Methil Miners), Lesley Crumlish (Brass Sounds Inverclyde), Elaine Roxburgh (Dunaskin Doon), Reece Gordon (Bon-Accord Silver), Jim Milligan (Annan Town), Lorraine Quinn (Penicuik) and Steven Gray (MacTaggart Scott Loanhead).

A poignant moment followed when an In Memoriam segment featured those musicians who had been lost to Scottish banding during the past year, culminating in a special mention for Nigel Boddice MBE and Richard Evans, conductor emeritus of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland for over 20 years.

Presentations were made to the 2022 bands of the year: Whitburn (Championship), Bo’ness & Carriden (1st Section), Campbeltown Brass (2nd Section), Dysart Colliery (3rd Section) and Brass Sounds Inverclyde (4th Section).

Bo'ness & Carriden won the Band of the Year title for the 1st Section

Dysart Colliery was the 3rd Section's Band of the Year

The 4th Section Band of the Year was Brass Sounds Inverclyde

Finally, Carrie announced her President’s Awards. Whitburn was given a Special Recognition award for the organisation and execution of its virtual brass festival in June 2021 during the continuing Covid pandemic. After having to wait a year to attend the National Finals in Cheltenham, Kingdom Brass was awarded the Performance of the Year accolade for its Championship victory in the 1st Section.

Iona McVicar and Laura Carter received an Innovation award for their launch of the SBBA Speaks podcast during 2022. And the Outstanding Achievement award went to Campbeltown Brass for its 2nd Section National Finals winning performance in Cheltenham after completing a daunting 12-hour road journey to reach the championships!