From Scaba
With an "open" adjudication contest, it probably doesn't matter at all if bands discuss their programmes in this way. Also, with a "fixed" test piece contest, discussing one's rehearsal experiences, likes & dislikes etc. probably doesn't matter, as everybody is playing the same test piece.
The following is extracted from an email received from the Scaba Contest manager for Crawley:
"Clearly, the main risk is with an "own choice" contest, like the SCABA contests at Hove and Folkestone, where bands could potentially identify themselves to the Adjudicator through such discussions. While I don't see this as a serious problem, it could make a nonsense of having closed adjudication and draws and could lead to some friction between bands.
While there is no question of contest organisers being able to "stop" this kind of discussion, I would recommend that bands try to avoid identifying their final choice of test piece for "own choice" contests. However, the canvassing of suggestions/opinions and discussion of the relative merits of different possible test pieces can only be helpful, to bands and their MDs, and does not pose any risk to the fairness of the contests. Of course, injudicious remarks about musical works could lead to litigation, so some thought is required before making rude remarks on the Internet ;-)"
