Although it may have been his intention to spark debate, Steven Mead has acknowledged that his article, ‘Time for Change’ has caused offence.

Apology

As a result he has offered his apologies and has made a number of significant, what he calls, ‘clarifications’ to the article on his website.

No desire

The euphonium star believes that his intention was to ‘spark debate’, following the British Open Championship last weekend, although he also says on his website — "I had no desire to see this matter thrust so forcibly into the band world headlines, others have done that. I wanted to simply express a personal point of view."

He adds: "Clearly my original article has caused personal offence to some. I wish to apologise to those who have been personally offended by this."

ABBA has come in for criticism itself, with many people, including Bram Tovey, expressing their dismay that it took the organisation close on 36 hours to offer their own support for the three adjudicators involved4br

Disquiet

The ground swell of support for his opinions has been offset by the disquiet over the manner in which they have been expressed. The conductor of the Whitburn Band was witnessed expressing them to Martin Mortimer on the stage of Symphony Hall after the announcement of the results.

Own hand

From that moment on, and with his subsequent publishing of his opinions within 24 hours of the contest ending, the matter was very much, "…thrust into the band world headlines" by his own hand, rather than by ‘others’ as he rather cryptically says.

ABBA response

Since publication, the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators have released three statements concerning the matter – the latest appearing on their own website in which they strongly object to him ‘casting doubts on the competence of the adjudicators’.

Criticism

ABBA has come in for criticism itself, with many people, including Bram Tovey, expressing their dismay that it took the organisation close on 36 hours to offer their own support for the three adjudicators involved.

The latest statement to appear on the ABBA website homepage reads:
"Further more we have every confidence in Mr Ball, Mr Read and Mr Relton, three highly qualified and distinguished musicians. We are deeply upset that Mr Mead has responded to their result in this way."

Amended

The amended article has seen Steven Mead retract a number of his more contentious opinions.

For instance, the original statement: "With the greatest respect the results on the minor placings at today's British Open were nothing short of incompetent," has now been replaced by; "With the greatest respect the results of the 'minor' placings at today's British Open were 'surprising' and left many confused and disappointed."

Taken out

Other parts of the original article have either been amended or taken out completely – including references to Whitbun’s eventually placing being deemed ‘nothing short of incredible’, and his contentious opinion that, "…you cannot go on with allowing the oldest in our movement, some with hearing disabilities to continue to judge."

That has been replaced by the slightly less contentious, "..you cannot go on allowing some in our movement to continue to judge with the regularity they currently do. They are too set in their ways."

Legal threat

With Steven Mead stating that the article had been edited due to, ‘threats of legal action and as a result of consultation with others’, it will interesting to see what further responses are forthcoming from parties involved.

The full article can be read at: http://www.euphonium.net/home.php