The 2011 European Brass Band Championships will take place at the Stravinsky Hall in Montreux, Switzerland.

Following a video presentation by Kurt Bohlhalter to delegates at the EBBA General Meeting on the Sunday morning, Montreux’s application to host the championships was accepted.

Third time

The Swiss had to pay a 13,000 Euro deposit for the privilege and their application was backed by their regional government including support on the video presentation of their Minister of Culture.

The contrest has taken place in Montreux twice before in 1994 and 2001.

It was also confirmed that the set work for 2009 will be written by Jan Van Der Roost, who wrote ‘Albion’ which was used at the National Championships of Great Britain in 20014BR

Ostend 2009

Meanwhile, there was an updated presentation from Ostend , who are hosting the 2009 event, which will include the European Composers Competition at the excellent 2,200 seat Kursaal Hall right on the Ostend sea front.

Set work

It was also confirmed that the set work for 2009 will be written by Jan Van Der Roost, who wrote ‘Albion’ which was used at the National Championships of Great Britain in 2001. Details and booking arrangements for competing bands and supporters have already been put in place at www.toerisme-oostende

London 2012?

This now means that Ostend in 2009 will be followed by Linz in Austria in 2010 and then Montreux. Although there will be no decision concerning the 2012 event made until next year, it was reported that a number of countries had already declared interest, including Scotland, and rumour had it, England too, based in London around the Olympics.

Organisation

On an organisational front, Derek Atkinson of England was elected to the Executive Committee replacing Robert Morgan MBE, whilst Joe Cassells left his post as auditor to become an additional member of the EBBA Music Commission. He was replaced as Auditor by Bernhard Matter of Switzerland.

Finances

On a financial front EBBA’s accounts were declare to be in good order and delegates were able to pour over the details that showed that the organisation was in a pretty healthy financial state with a profit of over 12,000 Euro declared at the end of December 2007 on income of just under 70,000 Euro.