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Re: NABBA Results

<---- Begin Included Message ---->
>From: Matt LaFontaine <mattl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

>Judging was rather consistent except for a few bands. Overall, I'd say the
>right decisions were made except, IMHO, the Honors section, but it's not
>my place to comment on that.
<---- End Included Message ---->

	There was quite a bit of controversy in the Honors Section. This issue 
opens up a can of worms. The Old Dominion Brass Band won the division over the 
Eastern Iowa Brass Band. Many of the members of the Dominion Band are military 
musicians as the band is a joint effort between the Continental Army Band and 
Old Dominion University. As a matter of fact, the Dominion band arrived in a 
U.S. Army (Pershing's Own) bus - the one used by the Army Band that hosted the 
competition 4 years ago at Ft. Meyers in Washington D.C.! The connection of 
military and their players bring up the issue of professional players.
	NABBA rules state that a person can only make 70% (or is it 75%?) of 
their total income as a performer. Apparently this is to keep professionals 
out of the competition. There are problems. For example, the members of the 
Canadian Brass are earning income from the sale of music, instruments and 
other items. Add to it investment income. Probably this would account for at 
least 30% of their income. According to NABBA rules, they would be eligable 
for competition. Next, consider a young musician that may be playing 3 
community orchestras making 2-3000 per year each. Add to it a few thousand 
dollars for side jobs but no other income including that from investments. He 
would not be eligable under NABBA rules. Granted, U.S. military pay is not 
very much but this is how many members of the Dominion Band support 
themselves. There seems to be a discrepency here!
	While it was great having a group such as the Dominion Brass Band at 
the competition, is it really fair to compete against bands consisting of 
members who come from various occupations in their respective communities and 
have non-musicical jobs to support themselves? Could this be like the Olympics 
where the former Soviet Union put together a hockey team consisting of members 
of the Army that not only beat every other country (except in Lake Placid!) 
but was beating professional teams from the National Hockey League?
	This is an issue that surely will be discussed at the next NABBA board 
meeting.	Until that time, it may be a good idea for discussion on this 
list. There are many subscribers from NABBA bands and other bands worldwide. 
What do NABBA bands think of this? How do other countries handle this? What 
suggestions can be made? This list is monitored by at least one NABBA board 
member and perhaps he can share and thoughts that come up here with other 
members of the NABBA board.
	I do not have anything against the Dominion Band and did not compete 
against them (I am from the Illinois Brass Band - we were in the championship 
division). Personally, I thought it was great that they were there but thought 
there may be a point to be made that it may be unfair to other bands. Perhaps 
it is time to open a new division of professional bands - I would love to hear 
that!

Brian Frederiksen
brianf@xxxxxxx      


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