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EBBA and Besson Statements |
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PRESS RELEASEfrom the European Brass Band Association
Besson Musical Instruments have informed the European Brass Band Association (EBBA) that they have decided to terminate and not renew its contract with EBBA for the organisation of the European Brass Band Championships in the future. Besson will also withdraw its future financial commitment to the festival and championships organised by EBBA.
Besson have stated, after many years of partnership with EBBA, that the company have decided to hand over the championships to a private promoter, Kapitol Promotions, based in England.
The Executive Committee of the EBBA has now taken in unison the following decisions:
EBBA see Besson's decision as an unwanted re-privatisation of an event owned by the bands, the national associations and the European band movement.
Over the last few years the European Championships have grown to a week-long festival, in the spirit of development of the band movement and the European band community. In Bergen (2003) and Glasgow (2004) the enthusiastic audiences and players attended concerts, seminars, master classes, outdoor concerts and events. They were able to attend premier performances of new contemporary compositions for brass band, the European Youth Brass Band and gala concerts.
EBBA has established side events with an excellent reputation (i.e. European contests for composers, conductors and soloists). EBBA, the bands and the national organisers have together, made substantial investments over many years to develop this most prestigious band event, one of the best of its type in the world.
EBBA was informed by Besson and Kapitol Promotions, that in the future they will not organise the important side events for the young composers, soloists and conductors. The side events will continue in the future without Bessons support.
EBBA will also host the B-Section in the EBBC to develop the brass bands in the countries such as, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Finland, Faeroe Islands and Ireland.
The Executive Committee of EBBA thinks that the title of the EBBC must belong to the European member countries and to the different National Brass Band Associations with their hundreds of bands. The member countries of EBBA are: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Switzerland.
EBBA’s Executive Committee unanimously believes in a democratic organisation with elected members through the national Federations and Associations. The EBBC must not be owned or controlled by a private company or a private concert promoter.
EBBA also believe in close cooperation with private sponsors to secure some of the organisational costs and the prize money. EBBA would like to thank and congratulate our sponsors SP&S World of Brass, Doyen Recording Ltd., Majestic Percussion, British Bandsman, Brass Band World, Roger Handley Ltd., 4barsrest.com and also many music publishers in Europe for their long and outstanding sponsorship and support. EBBA will continue its work to find more sponsors, and already have several new contracts, to secure the future of the whole event.
The management contracts for 2005 and 2006 were signed a long time ago. The organisers in Groningen and Belfast have already signed the contracts for the necessary halls and for the bands and supporting musicians for the gala concerts. The contracts with the composers of the test pieces are also signed and the jury members are already engaged.
For the years 2007-2010 the EBBA has already applications from Luxembourg, Birmingham (England), Stavanger (Norway), Brussels (Belgium), Linz (Austria) and Glasgow (Scotland) on the table. The General Meeting in Groningen 2005 will elect the organising countries for 2007-2010.
PRESS RELEASE From Besson Musical Instruments Ltd
Following the announcement by EBBA on 27 October, Besson Musical Instruments Ltd has confirmed that as from 1 January 2005, management of the European Brass Band Championships will be undertaken by Kapitol Promotions Ltd and the existing contract with EBBA which is due to terminate on 31 December 2004 will not be renewed.
This is a decision which has not been reached lightly and in no way reflects the high opinion held by Besson of EBBA members and the tremendous accomplishments they have achieved in furthering the success of the brass band movement within Europe.
The European Brass Band Championships, in the hands of EBBA, have grown into a week long festival and whilst this is to be applauded, an event of such magnitude requires an increasingly high level of funding and has often necessitated a greater financial commitment from the bands in order to participate over a longer period. It is our opinion that the event would be more manageable and less diluted if the Championship itself reverts to a stand-alone event, benefiting from the experienced organisation of Kapitol Promotions. EBBA is, of course, at liberty to continue to organise and run events, such as composers and conductors competitions, under the EBBA banner.
Besson Musical Instruments Ltd. (and formerly Boosey & Hawkes) founded the official European Brass Band Championships 27 years ago and has always been proud to own the title, rights and trophies to them. During this time, the Company has provided the Championships with unerring economic stability as the main sponsor, which represents a considerable financial investment. The Besson European Brass Band Championships remain an extremely important part of Besson's promotional portfolio, both inside and outside the brass band world, and it is the Company's intention to continue to own and promote the event in its name. We are confident in the ability of Kapitol Promotions to produce an event worthy of the high status of the official European Brass Band Championships and one that will be embraced by the bands and enjoyed by all.
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