European Youth Brass Band Contest Celebrates a Great Response
Published in Events on 2014-04-07 by Empty Chairs
More news from SBBA
On May 4th 2014, at Perth Concert Hall
The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) and The European Brass Band Association (EBBA) are delighted to announce a positive response from across Europe with 8 youth bands coming to Perth, Scotland on 4th May to participate in the European Youth Brass Band Contest. The event, newly introduced by SBBA this year, has attracted 8 representative youth bands from 5 different European countries, making this an exciting addition to the European Brass Band Championship series of events taking place in Perth.
The European Youth Brass Band Contest is split into two sections – Development and Premier – and will be part of the European Youth Day on Sunday 4th May at Perth Concert Hall, Perth, Scotland, commencing at 12.00 noon with the Development Section, followed by the Premier Section. The participating bands are as follows:
Development Section:
• Rochdale Borough Youth Brass Band (England)
• 1st Old Boys Youth Band (Northern Ireland)
• Manger Skulemusikklag (Norway)
• Moray Concert Brass (Scotland)
• Dalmellington Junior Band (Scotland)
Premier Section:
• Carnoustie and District Youth Brass Band (Scotland)
• Liberty Brass Band Junior (Switzerland)
• Northamptonshire Youth Brass Band (England)
Bands in both sections will enjoy the flexibility of an own choice programme (up to 20 minutes for Development Section and up to 25 minutes for Premier Section), a number of parameters have been set to ensure the contest meets its inspirational rationale. These include that each band will perform: a set work (‘Little Suite for Brass’ (Arnold) for the Development Section and ‘Resurgam’ (Ball) for the Premier Section); an own choice solo item (with a prize for the best soloist); and also a piece which has a musical link to their country. All combining to create an exciting musical opportunity for players and audiences alike.
Andrew Duncan, SBBA’s Development Manager commented: “It has been fantastic to see such a positive response to the introduction of the contest this year. With such a variety of countries being represented in this inaugural event, it really is a reassuring indication of the active growth and support that exists for youth brass bands – the foundations upon which the bands enjoying the European Brass Band Championships in the future will have been built.”
Ulf Rosenberg, President of EBBA continued: “We are delighted with the number of bands taking part and believe that SBBA and EBBA’s desire to meet the rationale of the contest (to “provide a platform for Europe’s finest youth brass bands to perform a programme which is musically excellent and entertaining in a competitive environment.”) has been fully embraced by the enthusiastic response from the variety of bands attending.”
The European Youth Brass Band Contest forms part of the dedicated European Youth Day, and will follow an enthralling morning concert from the 2014 European Youth Brass Band and the outstanding Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag from Norway, a former European champion and one of the most innovative and exciting combinations in the world of brass bands. On completion of the contest performances, the special day will then be brought to an equally special close, when the King’s Division Brass Band of the British Army perform an entertaining concert programme prior to the awards ceremony.
Tickets for the European Youth Day Morning Concert and the European Youth Brass Band Contest are on sale from Perth Concert Hall Box Office (Online: www.horsecross.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0)1738 621 031), with special discounts for those aged 16 or under, and combined ticket offers to ensure audiences can make the most of this unique day which will celebrate youth brass band music so effectively.