Earlier date and change of venue for AGM and Learning Festival

The date and venue of the next Annual General Meeting and Learning Festival have been announced by the Scottish Brass Band Association.

The event is slightly earlier and at a different venue from recent years, taking place on Saturday 11 January at the Bellshill Salvation Army Community Centre on Gladstone Street, Bellshill ML4 1AT.

Secretary Tom Allan has sent out an invitation letter to all member band secretaries, explaining that delegates’ registration is from 9.15am, followed by the AGM at 10.00am.

Although up to four delegates per band may attend the AGM, only two will have voting powers.

Nominations are requested for the posts of president and treasurer. All nominations – including those for the executive committee – should contain the details of the proposer and the seconder, and be received by the secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.

Any proposed alterations to the constitution must be with the secretary no later than Saturday 14 December 2024.

SBBA is planning to run a Page of Remembrance at its AGM and on its website in tribute to those bands people who have passed away during 2024.

Is there anyone in your band you would like to be remembered this way? If so, please send Tom Allan a photo and personal details of the deceased to be included in the memoriam:

· Full name

· Name of the band of which a member

· Which instrument played or position held

· If possible, dates of birth and death.

Please let Tom have your response by Monday 6 January so that the details can be prepared for inclusion in time for the AGM.

At the conclusion of the meeting, there will be a Learning Festival with the following timetable:

• Session 1A (11.15am-12.00 noon) EITHER Carole Ednie delivering a workshop on performance technique OR Session 1B “I have handed that out already!” Observations on brass band librarianship with Robert Fraser.

• Session 2 (12.00 noon-12.45pm) A workshop performed by the Whitburn Band on the 2025 2nd Section test piece Friendly Takeover by Oliver Waespi.

Lunch

• Session 3 (2.00-2.45pm) A workshop performed by the Whitburn Band on the 2025 3rd Section test piece Arkansas by Jacob de Haan.

• Session 4 How to fundraise for your brass band. A workshop led by Lynsey Mcilwraith.