Oct. 9, 2001, 5:14 p.m. (Message 27823, in reply to message 27818)
I think that it should be looked at as two questions. Firstly if a specific event/date has been booked and secondly if a band has always played at a given annual function. In the first instance, the situation looks clear. A contract, be it verbal or written, has been entered into by the organiser who has booked the band. In the event of cancelling that booking some compensation should be offered - or more properly the band should be approached to determine what recompense the band would consider accepting to break the contract - a cancellation fee in fact. Speaking for my band that would depend upon a number of factors, what the reason is, how long in advance the booking was cancelled and whether any alternative bookings had to be turned down because of the original commitment. In the circumstances as described below I would take the view that this was unreasonable and to request the full fee unless a replacement booking could be obtained. I would almost certainly not consider taking further bookings from that society. The second instance is more a question of individual ethics and politeness. No band has the right to expect the same booking year after year but if we had done the same function for a number of years it would be nice if the society would inform us in advance if they intended to book someone else for a future year. There is a reverse responsibility on the band as well - to look at which functions have been regular over the last few years and not accept a different booking without checking that we were not required by our regular patrons first. Finally we would not consider taking any booking at the expense of a band that were already booked for that specific function. This would, in our opinion, be highly unethical. Having said all that I cannot think of a single incident where this has had to be considered. There have been a number of cancellations over the years and probably the majority have not had to pay a cancellation fee as functions tend to be cancelled only in VERY serious circumstances. Graham Hamilton The Craigellachie Band (Southern England)