Withdrawals from BrassPass Band of the Year contest
Tredegar, Flowers and Whitburn have turned down invitations to compete at the proposed forthcoming BrassPass.tv Band of the Year contest, due to be held on Saturday July 3rd at the Albert Halls in Bolton. Defending champion Cory, as well as Foden's had already informed the organisers of their decision not to take part in the contest.
A Tredegar Band spokesperson stated, "We believe the event is an important addition to the banding calendar at the mid-point of the contesting season and it is a competition we would be delighted to be invited to once again in the future. However, we are fully supportive of the current Covid-19 approach and decisions undertaken by the Welsh Government, and with the best interests of the health and well being of our players at the forefront of our thoughts we have taken the decision that we cannot accept the invitation to compete."
Flowers has also issued a public statement which reads, "This decision comes following direct correspondence issued to all invited bands advising that the draw for the event will be made on April 7th. We do not wish to cause complications for the organisers, competing or reserve bands by remaining in the draw when we feel we are unable to attend the event. Like all banders we welcomed the recent speculative optimism that musical activities may resume in the near future, but also recognise that there are no guarantees in the current government roadmap. After much thought and review of our own specific circumstances we believe that we are unlikely to return to full unencumbered rehearsals until very late June or July. The past year has been full of disruption and we do not wish to cause further uncertainty to our members, or the organisers, when we know that we cannot guarantee our preparation or even participation in such an event."
Whitburn Band stated, "Unfortunately, although fully supportive of the regulations and guidelines in respect to Covid-19 we are disappointed rules in Scotland will not relax to a level that will allow bands to rehearse. We are also mindful that we in no way wish to jeopardise players health, that of their families nor risk their income in the event they need to isolate. Therefore, we have taken the decision to withdraw from the event allowing a reserve band good time to prepare."
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