Some of the contents of the pages on this site are Copyright © 2016 NJH Music | [Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] City of Oxford Travesty
Dear list-members This is a long post. I would be grateful if you would read it all and reply with your thoughts. In writing this post, I think I can speak on behalf of all of the members of the City of Oxford Band (Alastair is currently on holiday and therefore does not have access to an email account), although I have not been asked by them to write it. Somewhat ironically, given the jubilant demeanour of my recent posts and the nature of the contributions from Andy Wooler regarding registration, the City of Oxford band has been provisionally disqualified from Sunday's Regional Championships in Basildon, pending an appeal to the regional committee and, if necessary, the NCC. The reason for the disqualification was that the band's principal percussionist's name did not appear on the contest signature form. This was simply an oversight on the part of our contest secretary (who, incidentally, won the best cornet award on Sunday). When she drew up the list, our percussionist's card was at the registry being re-done (after having been lost by the authorities at the Leamington Spa contest in December). Consequently, our contest secretary ommitted his name from the list by mistake. The player in question has been the principal percussionist with the band for five years, and has not missed a contest in that time. His membership of the band extends further back than most in the band. This was not a case of cheating or abusing the system. It was a simple and honest clerical error. If our disqualification is upheld, we will lose our place at the Royal Albert Hall because of the smallest, most trivial of errors. I accept that laws are there to be adhered to. The members of Rhos Silver Band, whose second section national title was taken last year, know all too well that fielding unsigned players is a costly mistake (whether deliberate or not). However, the error in the case of the City of Oxford is insignificant compared to that of using unsigned players. Though we may have inadvertedly broken a (rather pointless) rule when our percussionist played on Sunday, I fervently hope that the regional committee abide by the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law when they consider our appeal. It is a spirit exemplified by the City of Oxford Band. How many other bands could boast full attendance at all practices up to six weeks before a contest? It goes without saying that I cannot provide an unbiased opinion, as I am a member of the affected band, but it seems totally unfair that such a small mistake should cost us our life's ambition. It would be a travesty if we were to be disqualified, especially as James Scott (the adjudicator on Sunday) said that the top two bands were well clear of the field. In short, we thoroughly deserve our place at the RAH. As I understand it, an appeal has been lodged with the regional committee. Unfortunately, two members of that body are members of the Morrells (Kidlington) band. This band is the traditional rival of the City of Oxford, and may take a delight in seeing us disqualified. (A few members of that band even said so at the contest on Sunday). We at City of Oxford have no quarrel with the Morrells band (aside from a healthy local rivalry) and it would be extremely mean spirited of the Kidlington committee members to vote to uphold the disqualification out of spite. In addition, I am led to believe that at least one member of the committee is from Redbridge Brass, who came third in the competition and would therefore be given a place at the Royal Albert Hall if the decision is upheld. Surely, a committee (at least partially) composed of people with vested interests such as these cannot consider our appeal impartially? If the appeal is unsuccessful at regional level, we will lodge an appeal with the National Contesting Council. I am confident that we should win, given the paltry reason behind our disqualification. In conclusion, I should like to say that words cannot adequately express how frustrated the rest of the band and I are. To qualify for the Royal Albert Hall has been our long-term ambition for years, and it now appears that our efforts may be rewarded with a slap in the face from band beaurocracy. I think our appeal is a strong one, given the player's long record with the band, the nature of our performance (earning two points more than Redbridge Brass, last years Champions), the fact that we may be demoted if we are disqualified (see below!), and the fact that the mistake made was an insignificant and honest one. I would be grateful for your opinions on this matter. Thank you for taking the time to read this long message. Respectfully, A very sober and frustrated, Cameron Mabon 2nd cornet, City of Oxford Band P.S. There is a danger that, if we are disqualified permanently, the band will be demoted to the first section (because of some 'unusual' contest results last year)!! This would result in the bizarre situation of the other first section bands competing against arguably the best Championship Section Band in the region (as we will be if we continue to improve at the rate at which we have done so for the last few years)!!! The first section areas would be a farce, and all because one trivial rule was broken inadvertedly. -- Cameron Mabon cmabon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Piano, cornet and duck-call Fundamental Brass http://users.ox.ac.uk/~newc0349/fun City of Oxford Band http://www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/~cmabon/COSB.html -- unsubscribe or receive the list in digest form, mail a message of 'help' to listserver@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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