A group of young musicians from West Lothian have taken part in Scotland’s biggest brass band school.
The local musicians joined 150 other young instrumentalists in attending the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland residential summer course at the Strathallan School in Forgandenny in Perthshire.
The students - from both Whitburn and Kirkton Brass Bathgate bands – spent a week at the summer course until last Saturday (August 6).
Featuring players aged nine to 22, the players will be split into three bands – Children’s, Reserve, and Senior.
The young local students chose to go to the annual residential summer course to develop their skills as instrumentalists.
They were joined by players from locations as far afield as Shetland and Stranraer.
Students got involved in sectional practice sessions, master classes, and full band rehearsals provided the opportunity for music making.
Extra curricular activities included swimming, rounders, treasure hunts, movie nights, football, ‘NYBBS has got talent!’, and a silent disco.
The NYBBS summer course is supported by funding from Creative Scotland through its Youth Music Initiative.
On Thursday, an open day was held for young brass players who may be considering joining the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland.
The event enabled potential candidates to meet each other and speak with and network with first class musical directors and tutors.
Then the players’ hard work during the summer school was showcased at two end-of-course concerts at the Albert Halls in Stirling on Saturday afternoon.
Course coordinator and SBBA president Carrie Boax commented: “It is a real honour and privilege to know that, at the end of the week, our musical directors, tutors and pastoral staff will have made a small but positive difference to the musical journey of every youngster that attends our summer school and helped them make memories and friendships that I know will last a lifetime.”
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