Incorrect Timings Alter Brass In Concert Results

The organisers of the 40th Brass in Concert Championship have announced an amendment to the final result of the event held at Sage Gateshead on 20 November 2016. Brass Band Schoonhoven, the Dutch National Champion, was originally given a two-point penalty for exceeding the 23-minute time limit on musical performance. It has since come to light that an error was made in the timing of Schoonhoven’s first two pieces, meaning that the programme was registered at the time as 56 seconds longer than it should have been.

Speaking on behalf of Brass in Concert, John Woods told A4B: “We go to great lengths to make sure that the timing process at Brass in Concert is carried out as accurately as possible, but in this case the demarcation between Brass Band Schoonhoven’s first two pieces wasn’t entirely clear and, unfortunately, an incorrect time was recorded. We were subsequently contacted by the band and asked to check our timings, which we did using both audio and video recordings.”

John Woods further explained: “As a result of our findings the time penalty initially imposed has been retracted and Schoonhoven has been promoted to fifth place, with Flowers now being placed sixth. We would like to apologise to the management and players of Flowers and Schoonhoven, as well as recognising the professional manner in which both bands have treated the matter. While it may appear small consolation to Flowers, our organising team was unanimous in agreeing that the band should keep the prize money as it was originally announced. We have also agreed to review our timing rules and procedures prior to next year’s event and will make any amendments known to competing bands as soon as this is complete.”

The 41st Brass in Concert Championship will be held at Sage Gateshead on Sunday 19 November 2017.

Amended results: CLICK HERE