4BR has been informed of growing concern from both bands and individuals that took part in the International Brass Band Contest held in Leuven, Belgium that they will never receive money they are owed from the event.

Yet to be paid

It is understood that many have yet to be paid their full participation fees or prize money — despite what they say were promises from the organisers that payments would be received within two weeks of the contest which was held on November 10th.

Those who have spoken to 4BR have expressed their belief that they feel there is now no hope of them receiving any payments – with some bands owed anything up to 8,500 Euros.

25,000 Euro

The IBBC advertised a prize fund of 25,000 Euros for the event as well as additional concert fees, with the Championship contest attracting eight bands, including former European Champions Manger Musikklag, fellow Norwegian challenger Oslo Brass, Belgian contenders Brass Band Willebroek, Nord Limburgse, Buizingen and Brass Band Heist and British challengers Redbridge and East London Brass.

In addition, a further three bands performed in the A Section contest.

Failed

However, the weekend failed to attract any significant audience support, whilst Brighouse & Rastrick’s participation in the Gala Concert was cancelled by the organisers less than 48 hours before they were due to travel by what they believed had been pre-booked flights.

It was reported to 4BR that at one point there were less than a dozen people in the Lemmensinstituut Hall to listen to the competing bands, with no more than 40 people paying to listen to the hastily re-arranged Gala Concert.

Contact

4BR has tried on repeated occasions both by phone and e-mail to contact event organisers to find out when or if payments will be made.

The latest attempt this morning (11th December) by telephone led to an e-mail response in which the IBBC Committee exclusively told 4BR:

"The IBBC contest was something to look forward to.

However, on the weekend there was a lack of an audience either because the entrance fees seemed too high, or the event was too close to the Belgian National Championship that was to take place two weeks later.

We did try to manage everything as well as possible, although this wasn't as easy as we thought it would be. The committee had planned everything very well and preparations were made starting a year prior to the event."

Sponsors

They added: "We had a number of people who stated they would come to help us and who had their responsibilities to take. The prize money for the contest was planned by receiving support from the area of Flemish Brabant, the City of Leuven and other sponsors.

When we made our budget for the event in 2011, everything looked very bright and we were looking forward to the contest."

Not to plan

They continued: "However things didn't go as planned.

We must admit that we had some problems on the weekend itself, such as the number of people who failed to come to help us out, almost no audience, and other changes and charges at the last moment — including the cancellation we had to make of the Brighouse & Rastrick Band."

Failure

The IBBC Committee finally admitted to 4BR that the event had been a failure.

"Therefore, and for a lot of other unexpected reasons, the IBBC must announce that the organisation of the contest weekend failed. Even with all the good intentions we had, and still have, it wasn't a success."

Time

The organisers told 4BR that they are now asking for patience and considerable time.

"We must now sort out every problem one by one. It will take a lot of time and patience, but we must ask that people try to understand the situation and give the IBBC time to solve this."

They added: "We will not abandon the bands — that would be too easy to do and we will try to find a solution for everything that went wrong, including we make sure bands will receive their prize money.

However, let it be clear – that will take a lot of time."

We must now sort out every problem one by one. It will take a lot of time and patience, but we must ask that people try to understand the situation and give the IBBC time to solve thisIBBC Committee

Finding solutions

However, they were keen to tell 4BR that they were confident of seeking a solution to their problems.

"We apologise to everyone involved. What looked like being a great event, turned out to have a very negative result.

We will try to find solutions and opportunities for every band to make sure every problem is solved as soon as possible. Again, it will take some time and we must ask for understanding and patience."

Thanks

The IBBC Committee concluded: "The IBBC thanks everyone who has supported us during the weekend and also after the event.

We received a lot of support from different band members who also saw the problems we faced. We thank Brass Band Buizingen who took over the Gala Concert together with Oslo Brass Band at the last minute.

The IBBC Committee apologises again and confirms that we will take action to find the solutions that are needed to ensure every band will receive what they have earned.

It will take a lot of time, patience and understanding, but we will not give up until we found those solutions."

Chaotic confirmation

The information confirms reports from bands and individuals to 4BR, even though a couple of weeks ago they were sent an e-mail asking them to send bank details.

They described the organisation of the IBBC event as ‘chaotic’, quoting the example of the individual adjudication boxes for the nine strong panel of judges failing to turn up, leaving them to sit behind tables in the hall.

Sceptical

People remain sceptical that anything will be paid however – and were therefore keen to remain anonymous when speaking to 4BR as they felt it may hinder their chances of receiving any of the monies they are owed.

However, it is understood that contest winners Manger Musikklag has yet to be paid its 8,000 Euro first prize, although part of its concert appearance of around 750 Euros was paid at the event, whilst other prize winners and participants are still waiting payment too.

Still waiting

As one adjudicator told 4BR: "I’m still waiting for my full expenses. We were told that it would be paid a fortnight after the event, but still nothing has been sent. Other judges are the same."

They added: "The IBBC had the potential to be a great event, but nothing seemed to be organised effectively – it was chaotic. Concerns over payments were aired even before we got to the hall to hear bands playing to pitiful audiences."

Banding echoes

That echoed the feeling of many of the participating bands.

One representative told 4BR: "Now it has become a question of if – a very big if — and not when. We felt something was not quite right with the organisation of the event and our worse fears are now confirmed.

It cost us a great deal to attend the contest but it turned out to be a great disappointment."

Little chance

One leading conductor told 4BR: "My band was so disappointed to play to such a small number of people in the hall. We were welcomed onto the stage by the sound of the judges leading the applause.

All the bands played superbly and acted professionally, but the contest organisation seemed so poor and our concerns about payment were met with excuses from the word go.

Everyone we have spoken to has been left out of pocket with little chance if any of getting anything back."