The Austrian champion Brass Band Oberoesterreich will not be taking part in the European Championships to be held in Montreux in April next year.

South African tour

Rumours had circulated at the Swiss National Championships, where the band performed as part of the event’s Gala Concert, that a clash of international tour dates meant that the band, which came 3rd in Linz, was considering its position.

Just a few days after their appearance at the Stravinski Auditorium, venue for the 2011 event, that decision has now been confirmed.

Return date

Band Manager Thomas Beiganz told 4BR: "The reason why we cannot play at the 2011 European Championship is that the band will be on tour in South Africa from the 15th – 26th April, and would not be able to return home until a couple of days before the event in Montreux at the earliest."

The contest takes place on the 29th & 30th April.

Not possible

Thomas added: "This prestigious tour will see the band perform a number of concerts as well as provide workshops and tuition for students in the final days of the trip at Capetown’s famous Stellenbosch University.

We would have loved to have been able to commit to the European Championships, but with such a schedule professional preparation for the contest was not possible."

We would have loved to have been able to commit to the European Championships, but with such a schedule professional preparation for the contest was not possibleBand Manager, Thomas Beiganz

High profile

The tour has been organised jointly by the governments of Upper Austria and the Western Cape, and will see Oberosterreich perform a number of high profile concerts during their stay in South Africa.

Rotterdam return

Thomas concluded: "Both governments enjoy a close cultural and economic relationship, and we are delighted to represent our country and teach in this region. However, we are still very disappointed that we could not attend the Montreux event, but the timings were impossible to change.

I can assure everyone that we will be planning to attend the European Championships in Rotterdam in 2012 and wish all the competing bands in Switzerland the very best."

Replacement

4BR understands that although Oberosterreich’s decision has come as a blow to the EBBA organisers, there may well be a possibility of a replacement Austrian band asked to perform at the contest.