Kapitol Promotions has countered what they call ‘unfounded rumours’ concerning their proposals to request bands to register players with the new Brass Band Players Ltd if they wish to compete at the 2013 Regional and National Championship Finals.

Benefit

Speaking exclusively to 4BR, Philip Morris was keen to emphasise that the new registry was being set up for the long term benefit of banding in the UK.

"It's frustrating to hear that unfounded rumours are circulating," he said.

"I wish to make to it very clear that the Brass Band Players Registry will not levy a registration fee on individual players and that we have no plans to do so.

The fee structure to bands will be in line with those currently charged by the British Brass Band Registry. In addition there is no initial registration cost to bands whose current one year registration with the BBBR expires before October 1st 2013."

Modern system

He added: "It is the fundamental aim of the Brass Band Players Registry that it will be a robust, flexible, modern system of registration that will be professionally run and transparently administered.

It is being set up to preserve the continuity and integrity of the National Championships."

Model

4BR was informed that the model that will be followed will see players registered as now, with individual bands charged an annual fee, with additional charges for transfers, new registrations etc.

Prices and profits

Asked about what would happen in regard to potential price increases and any profits made, Philip Morris also countered claims that it would be pocketed by Kapitol and not reinvested in the banding movement.

"We have been very clear on this," he said. "We will set up an Advisory Body that we believe should be made up of representatives from the English banding movement.

Discussion and consultation over the operation of the Registry will be transparent as will the allocation of any profits from the registry to benefit English bands."

Fundamental issues

He added: "We want the Advisory Body to address the fundamental issues surrounding registration, as well as how the registry can be developed to provide long term benefits at all levels of banding in England."

Welsh vote

Asked why a representative of the Welsh Regional Council was allowed to vote on the proposals affecting English Bands, Philip Morris stated: "This was a proposal that concerned each region, with the exception of Scotland, who have a different ongoing administrative relationship with the Nationals."

Welsh administration

And asked why this new system should be administered in Wales, he added: "That is simply where the new Brass Band Players Ltd Registry is based. It would make no difference to its running if it was anywhere else.

It’s the quality of the service that will be provided that matters."

He concluded: "I hope this now fully clarifies the reasons why, and how, the new Brass Band Players Ltd Registry will be run.

I would ask people to read the initial statement given on 4BR ( http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=16019#.UJa_OcUj7CY) once more, but if any player, band or organisation wishes to contact me about this, I will endeavour to answer any questions they have in full."