British Open Brass Band Championships Rules & Conditions
1. In the following rules, the words ‘Contest Management’ shall relate to the Organising Committee of the
Dr Martin Trust. Any reference to the masculine shall include the feminine, and the interpretation of the following Rules shall be decided by the Contest Management, such decisions to be final.
2. These Rules will apply to The Doctor martin Trust 'Wainstones Cup' Contest under the auspices of the British Open Brass Band Championships.
3. This Contest will run under the Rules of the British Brass Band Registry in their most current form.
4. Entries to the Dr Martin Trust 'Wainstones Cup' contest shall be limited to Championship Section and highly ranked* 1st section bands (or equivalent in non-UK countries) Brass Bands from the British Isles and Countries from the Commonwealth ie. Australia, New Zealand, and other countries as determined from time to time by the Contest Management.
*At the discretion of the organisers
5. Contests are open to Bands composed of standard Brass Band instruments, with a maximum of 25 brass players plus percussionists as required and a conductor. No player shall play more than one brass instrument during the performance of the test piece. The conductor may not play an instrument with the Band they are conducting.
6. All Trophies won at any contest are to be returned at the end of twelve months, with the exception of any Trophies marked clearly in the Contest programme ‘ to be retained’.
7. The Contest Management reserves the right to alter or add to these Rules, change the date or venue (with suitable notice given ) and to limit the number of entries when necessary. Interested Bands will be notified of any changes.
8. The Contest Management cannot be held responsible for damage to or loss of any Band or personal property nor for any personal injuries whilst attending any event. All venues used will carry insurance, to comply with statutory requirements.
9. The Contest Management shall invite applications to the contest from 25th April and will close on Sunday 15th May. The first 15 bands received will be invited to attend and will receive an entry pack. Entries beyond 15 will become reserve bands, in turn, should any band drop out. Acceptance forms must be returned to the Contest Management within one week, together with the required fee of (£150 non-refundable). All appearing bands will receive a £300 appearance fee subject to compliance with these rules. This will be paid by cheque within 7 days after the contest.
The Contest Managements decision is final.
10. Borrowed Players - A maximum of three borrowed players will be allowed.
11. Before the day of each Contest, Bands will receive a British Brass Band Registry or Accredited Registry form showing all their registered players. This form together with the Bands Registration Cards should
be presented to the Registration Official for verification. It is a Bands responsibility to ensure that the Registration Cards of all players are complete in every detail on the day of the day Contest, including FRANKING FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.
12. Each Band must name their Musical Director on the Entry Form for inclusion in the programme and if a substitution is required the Contest Management must be informed as soon as possible.
13. The ‘Order of Play’ for the Contest shall be by ballot to be held on a date which will be posted on the website and held at the Cockerton Band and Musical Institute, Darlington. Each Band shall be invited to send a representative to attend the Draw who will act on its behalf in all matters arising during the Draw. If a Band is not represented at the Draw an official shall be empowered to Draw for them.
14. In the event of a Bandsman being unable to compete owing to family bereavement or illness or any other unforeseeable reason, a medical certificate or documentation as requested by the Contest Management must be produced covering these eventualities as soon as possible prior to the commencement of the contest. Providing that in the opinion of the Contest Management there is a bona – fide reason for the request, an application may be made for a deputy Bandsman (same instrument) from the band Drawn to play immediately before the Band
whose player is unable to appear. The Band playing before shall agree to provide this player, the instrument and music. If the Band making application is drawn No. 1 then the relevant player from the Band Drawn to play last shall provide this substitute. A bandsman acting as deputy must not make any request for payment for their
service and no such payment may be made by any official concerned.
15. The Band Drawn number one shall assemble for registration no less than 15 minutes before the scheduled time for the commencement of the Contest. The Band will be informed of any ‘ Registration Irregularities’ and will be advised of any consequence i.e. possible objections or possibilty of disqualification. The same registration procedure will apply to subsequent Bands.
16. Bands may request to escort the Adjudicators to the “Box” to check that the arrangements for their complete seclusion are adequate.
17. The Band Drawn number one will commence the day’s proceedings by playing the first verse of the National Anthem. Each subsequant band will be required to commence their performance as soon as possible after the Adjudicators have indicated that they are ready.
18. The Adjudicators decision will be announced as soon as the Contest Officials have collated them. The Adjudicator’s decision is final.
19. Prize - money shall be despatched no later than 14 days after the Contest.
Any protest regarding the infringement of these Rules must be made in writing to the Contest Management within 7 days from the Contest date. A deposit of £10.00 must accompany the letter. This will be refunded if the objection is upheld.
The Contest Management reserves the right to adjudicate on any protest.
During any adjudication any Prize Money involved will be withheld.
20. The Contest Management shall be authorised to withhold any awards where any member, official or conductor of a contesting Band has been involved in conduct considered prejudicial to the reputation of the Contest or to be in breach of these rules. Any person concerned will be subject to disqualification and / or suspension from entry into Contests held under these Rules for a length of time to be decided by the Contest
Management.
21. Any matters arising at a contest which are not covered by the above rules shall be dealt with by the Contest Management whose decision will be final..
'The Wainstones Cup' Championship Contest
THE FOLLOWING RULES WILL APPLY
