Scottish Government support revives brass bands

The number of brass bands in Scotland has almost doubled over the past five years, following a Scottish Government investment through the Youth Music Initiative which has funded the Scottish Brass Band Association’s youth development programme: 131 brass bands now, compared to just 74 in 2007. Places have been created for an additional 1,700 young musicians and the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships has grown to become the biggest youth brass band event in the world. Held in November in Perth, 45 bands involving 1,400 young musicians took part.