NYBBS students bring Perthshire hills alive with music

The Perthshire hills will be alive with the sound of music from Sunday as a record number of young instrumentalists descend on the small village of Forgandenny for their week-long National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) summer course.

Some 185 players and 35 musical and pastoral staff will be based at the Strathallan School until Saturday for the 65th annual course in which they will participate in practice sessions, master classes and full band rehearsals.

As well as enjoying some serious music making, the students will avail themselves of ‘extra curricular’ events which will bring a more lively element of fun and games to their stay.

The attendees will be split into three bands according to their age and experience. The Children’s band, which will have a much increased membership of 64 this year, will have as its musical director Alan Fernie. The Reserve band, comprising 57 players, will be conducted by John Boax and the Senior band, with 64 members, will have Ian Porthouse in charge.

Following the success of last year’s initiative, there will also be an Open Day on Thursday from 10.30am to 2.00pm for parents and young people who wish to know what goes on at a summer course and who may be contemplating signing up in the future.

The occasion will give potential new NYBBS members the opportunity to become immersed in the summer school experience, meeting pastoral and music staff, joining a sectional rehearsal and exploring the Strathallan campus. Attendance at the Open Day can be booked via Eventbrite.

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

Scottish Brass Band Association president Carrie Boax is the course coordinator and she and her team have been working hard to finalise the timetable of activities for the young musicians.

She commented after a recent family holiday in Spain: “Every one of us is looking forward to next week. I personally can’t wait  – and I do hope we can have some of the Spanish sunshine shining down on us!”

On the Saturday the three NYBBS bands will be appearing in Perth Concert Hall for two end-of-course concerts. The Children’s band will be performing at 3pm in the venue and the Reserve and Senior bands will be on stage from 6.30pm.

Admission to the Children’s band performance can be booked here and the joint Reserve/Senior bands concert is bookable here. Tickets can also be purchased on the door, priced £5 and £12.