The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) has issued an 'Open Letter to all within the Brass Band Community' in which they address "the increasing concerns raised through social media posts and commentary from respected sources calling into question our current position on conflict of interests."

In an extensive communication ( http://aobba.com/open-letter/) they state that the Association as well as individual members had been subject to "comments and communications that have been threatening, bordering on libelous, wishing ill on families and plagued with foul language."

Conflict of interest

In addressing the subject of conflict of interest they refer initially to their statement of 7th November 2023 which "aimed to provide some clarity on matters being discussed".

This has now led to an Extraordinary General Meeting on 22nd November, where the Executive Committee's proposal to amend its existing constitution was approved.

New clause

They stated that: "As well as the current clause that precludes members adjudicating a band they have had direct contact with (playing, conducting or preparing) within three months of said contest, a further clause was added.

As of 23rd November 2023, a member must not accept an invitation to adjudicate where a parent, spouse, sibling or child is involved with a competing band. Further discussion on amendments to AoBBA's constitution will continue at our AGM in January."

Mobile phones

Further details were given to procedures agreed with Kapitol Promotion in respect to mobile phones.

The statement signed on behalf of its members by Secretary Nicholas Garman closed by stating: "AoBBA is determined to contribute to ensuring the future of brass banding is as enjoyable and as secure as possible and although by the very nature of our organisation we are involved in the minutiae of contesting, all our members are bands-people first."