Brass Bands England (BBE) has confirmed that Foden's Band will represent England at the 2022 European Brass Band Championships (EBBC), scheduled to be held in Innsbruck, Austria.

This follows the cancellation this year of both the European Championship, at which Foden's was due to be the English representative band, and the National Final at the Royal Albert Hall.

Outstanding commitment

BBE Chief Executive Officer, Kenny Crookston told 4BR: "There was obviously great disappointment and concern when the Covid-19 Pandemic caused the cancellation of banding events the world over in 2020.

In addition to the European Championships in Palanga, these included the Albert Hall National Final which meant that the qualification process for English representation at future European events was also affected.

Fortunately, Foden's is willing to step into the breach and will attend the 2022 Championships, and we are grateful to the band for showing this outstanding commitment on English banding's behalf."

Honoured

In response, Foden's Band Manager Mark Wilkinson said: "Following the disappointment of the cancellation of the 2020 European event, a decision we fully supported, Foden's is honoured to be able to accept the 2022 English invitation.

We would like to thank Brass Band England for their help and communication during the past couple of weeks."

Foden's is willing to step into the breach and will attend the 2022 Championships, and we are grateful to the band for showing this outstanding commitment on English banding's behalfBrass Bands England

Dyke then Foden's

The decision will still see Black Dyke, the leading English band at the 2019 National Final, represent England at the 2021 European event due to be held in Malmo, Sweden, as Kenny Crookston further explained.

"That does not change and as things stand, the highest placed English band at the 2021 National Final will qualify for an invitation to the 2023 EBBC, due to be held in Stavanger, Norway.

Everyone hopes that the Covid-19 situation will have dissipated in time for this to happen, but in the event of further uncertainty there may be a need for some realignment for future qualification."

Euro title return

He concluded: "BBE will make the most appropriate decision should that become necessary, while also giving all prospective qualifiers as much advance notice as possible of any changes that may be required.

We hope that the current resolution will provide suitable compensation to Foden's for missing out this year and wish both them and Black Dyke every success as they attempt to return the European crown to England in the next few years."