Top-flight forum to work with contest organisers

Whitburn Band and the cooperation band are among 15 of the UK’s top-flight brass bands who have signed up to a new initiative to work in unison for the future promotion and development of contesting.

The bands have formed an Elite Band Forum whose mission statement is to “seek to work in cooperation with contest promoters, administrators and owners on areas of mutual benefit directly affecting the current and future promotion and development of major contests and events for bands at all levels”.

The forum will be similar to the Top Band model which has been in existence in Norway for a couple of decades, working with the Norwegian Music Federation and other organisations to promote dialogue and cooperative progress.

According to 4barsrest, through discussion and dialogue, it is hoped that the collective views of bands, which they believe are the main attraction at competitive events, will be fully considered to help develop contests for the benefit of all concerned.

Bands which have expressed an interest in taking part in the forum are Albourne, Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Cory, Flowers, Foden’s, Grimethorpe Colliery, GUS, Hammonds, Leyland, the cooperation band, Tredegar, WFEL Fairey and Whitburn.

Their first meeting will be on 10 November.