Nov 23rd 2010
Lothians MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the continuation of the Government’s £10m Youth Music Initiative, despite a £6.7m cut in the Scottish Government Culture Budget. This means that the highly successful music delivered in West Lothian to school children can continue.
Fiona said:
“I was delighted to attend the Scottish Youth Brass Bands Championships on Sunday Nov 21st, to listen to such bands as the West Lothian Schools Brass Band.
“A few years ago there were only 8 such bands competing, now there are 26 and organisers were clear that the Youth Music Initiative has helped the growth of young brass bands in Scotland.
“The Youth Music Initiative has funded the Scottish Brass Band’s Youth Development Programme and the championships are testament to the fantastic work that goes on in local brass band associations, schools and communities.
“I am particularly impressed by West Lothian Schools Brass Band, one of the most successful youth brass bands in the UK.
“It is also great to see that hundreds of people have been employed through the Youth Music Initiative investment – a welcomed change in the current climate.
“Band Culture in West Lothian is so important and I am pleased that the Government is maintaining this initiative despite the current constraint on public finances.”
Extra info:
The West Lothian Schools Brass band was formed in 1975 to encourage young musicians from West Lothian Council’s schools instrumental music tuition programme. In the early 1980’s, Nigel Boddice was invited as a guest conductor to lead the band for a weekend course, and this led to his appointment as musical director – a post which Nigel holds to this day.