14th September 2008
YMI Funding for Kingdom Youth

Kingdom Brass Youth have secured major funding from the Youth Music Initiative.

The five figure sum from the Scottish Arts Council will allow the Youth Initiative to expand much further over the next two years, with the formation of two full youth bands to complement the training currently being given to the band's young players

The project will also cover a series of workshop weekends, over the next two years, with some of the finest brass musicians, teachers and clinicians in the country. One welcome area of development will be that of low brass, with funding made available to purchase tubas and more euphoniums for the bands.

Additionally, funding will be made available for promotional and merchandising material for the band, as well as other areas such as administration costs, tutoring and participation at events.

30th August 2008
Kingdom Brass Youth Compete at Brass in the Park

Kingdom Brass Youth took part in the 'Brass in the Park' event.

This was the band's first competition, in the 'Novice' section (players up to 14 years of age). A confident performance at the event showed exactly how far the band has come in such a short space of time, and everyone can now look forward to the Scottish Youth Championships in November.

3rd August 2008
First Concert for Kingdom Brass Youth

Kingdom Brass Youth performed their first concert, as part of the Aberdour Festival.

The youth band, conducted by Lee Bathgate, performed a short concert to open the second half of the evening, which was met with rapturous applause from the packed house inside St Fillan's Church.

29th June 2008
Kingdom Brass Youth Support FY:NG Workshop

The young Kingdom Brass players took part in their first FY:NG workshop.

17 players from Kingdom Brass attend the Fife Youth:Next Generation workshops, forming the bulk of the Fife Youth 'C' Band.

Conducted by Alan Fernie, the young players enjoyed their day and performed in the short concert given by the three regional bands to assemble parents and tutors at the end of the day.

8th April 2008
Kingdom Brass Youth Registered with SBBA

"Kingdom Brass Youth" is now officially registered with the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA).

The young players receiving weekly lessons have progressed so much in only 4 months that they're now performing together as an ensemble, so the natural next step is to develop that ensemble into a small youth band.

It's hoped to now enter that ensemble into some of the youth events which take place in Scotland.

23rd January 2008
Financial Support for KBYI

The Youth Initiative has been boosted by a fantastic donation from Aegon UK, as well as grant aid from Fife Council.

With our allocation of instruments for Year 1 of the KBYI completed after the recent workshops, we're now looking to raise funds for the next intake after the summer holidays, and the next set of instruments needed for that.

This financial support will go a long way to financing those instruments, but much work is still needed to be done to meet our targets for Year 2.

12th December 2007
Horn Star Pays Visit

Tenor horn star Melvyn Bathgate, solo horn with the world famous Brighouse & Rastrick Band, payed a visit to the young Kingdom players, lending his support to the Youth Initiative.

Melvyn's nephew, Lee Bathgate, is of course one of the Principal Tutors with the KBYI, and Lee was thrilled when his Uncle Melvyn decided to pay a vist. "Youth Development is so important for the future.", said Lee. "It's great to see established players supporting schemes like this, and giving up their time to lend a hand."

29th November 2007
KBYI Holds Parents Evening

The first Parents Evening for the KBYI has been held in the Co-op Hall, Cowdenbeath.

The parents and children from St Brides and Lumphinnans Primary Schools were treated to an informative presentation from one of the KBYI tutors, John Hamilton, supported by Alan Edmond (Youth Development Officer for the Scottish Brass Band Association), as well as Alison Hall, Lee Bathgate and Lynsey Paterson (principal KBYI tutors) and Gillian Garvie (Child Protection Officer for the KBYI).

Kingdom Brass then entertained all the attendees, performing three pieces of music from their concert repertoire.

Following that entertainment, and the buffet which was on offer, the parents and young people had a chance to look at the instruments which are on offer to the students.

2nd November 2007
Youth Masterclasses Held

Members of Kingdom Brass delivered two masterclasses today, in Lumphinnans Primary School and St. Brides Primary.

The masterclasses were a fantastic success, with over 300 children watching the small group of players perform.

Alan Edmond, Youth Development Officer for SBBA, was there to oversee the masterclasses, and provided an insight into each of the instruments being used.

The enthusiastic response from the children was fantastic, and the future for brass playing in the region looks very bright indeed.

September 2007
Grant Funding Awarded

The Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative has been awarded a grant from the Scottish Arts Council "Awards For All" fund. This award will enable the KBYI to purchase the inital instruments - cornets, horns and trombones - and begin to tutor locally in the Cowdenbeath area.

April 2007
5 Year Plan Put Forward

The Committee of the Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative have finalised the direction of the band's youth development for the next 5 years.

The proposals include the formation of a tiered development structure, as well as a full youth band. The funding requirements for this are very ambitious, with ?100,000 the target amount required.

February 2007
Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative Proposed

A meeting has taken place between Alan Edmond (Youth Development Office for the Scottish Brass Band Association) and members of Kingdom Brass to come up with a proposal to develop the band's youth policy.

The meeting identified the need for a major investment in youth, and the benefits local children will receive from brass tuition.

An initial Committee was formed with the purpose of developing the idea further, putting together short and long term goals, and seeking funding for the project. Lee Bathgate was appointed Chairman, with Bill Sandell as Vice Chairman. Alison Hall was appointed Secretary, with John Todd Treasurer.

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