The Norwegian Music Federation has confirmed that the 2021 Norwegian National Championships in February 2021 have been cancelled.

It is the first that the event, which first took place at the Grieghallen in Bergen in 1979 has not taken place. The National Wind Band Championships, due to take place in March in Trondheim have also been cancelled.

Unknown

In a statement signed by National President, Berit Handegard stated that the prospect of a 'last minute' cancellation due to what would be 'unknown' circumstances surrounding restrictions and effects of Coronavirus has prompted the early decision so that bands would not encounter potential financial problems with hotel and flight cancellations.

66 bands from all parts of Norway would have competed at the event.

Risk

The statement said: "The situation in February and March are unknown to everyone, but there is a considerable risk. It was important to make the announcement before the bands start their bookings of plane tickets and hotels.

A last minute cancellation due to increasing infection of Coronavirus could result in a substantial financial loss for the bands travelling from all over Norway."

The situation in February and March are unknown to everyone, but there is a considerable risk. It was important to make the announcement before the bands start their bookings of plane tickets and hotelsNMF

Musical activity

It went on to add: "The Federation encourages the bands to keep up with local and regional events and are discussing potential alternatives for the National event — not to replace it, but to offer a musical activity to the bands that should have been in Bergen or Trondheim."

The NMF stated that following a meeting with the elite level Championship Section bands they were encouraged to find that many are already planning concerts within the local limits imposed by health authorities and wished them the very best.