One lucky person will soon be getting their hands on a fantastic Geneva Symphony cornet after being drawn out of the 4BR ‘Pick the National Winner’ quiz bag.

We had a fantastic response to our 2014 National Finals Competition with people racking their brains (as well as supporting their favourite bands) to come up with their choice of winner.

Drawn out of the bag

In the end it was Black Dyke who came out on top at the Royal Albert Hall (and was the overwhelming choice of those who entered), with Michael Chapman, who plays with the Tingley Band in Yorkshire, being drawn from the 4BR velvet bag.

“I’m thrilled,” he told 4BR, when we caught up with him to tell him the news. “I’m 40 years of age, and have always followed and enjoyed brass bands — although it wasn’t until this year that I plucked up the courage and finally started to learn to play.

I joined the Tingley Band and have enjoyed every minute since with some great people.

The band is growing in strength and we hope to return to contesting soon.

Winning the cornet has given me a huge boost to start practicing more. It’s a wonderful surprise and even better prize to win!”

Top three

Michael in fact picked the correct top three in his e-mail entry.

“I just thought Black Dyke would win, followed by Cory and Brighouse & Rastrick. The only pity was that given my stroke of luck, I didn’t do the National Lottery.”

Presented

Michael will now be presented with his cornet by Geneva Musical Instruments, who will come along to a Tingley rehearsal to hear Micahel and the band in action.

Winning the cornet has given me a huge boost to start practicing more. It’s a wonderful surprise and even better prize to win!Competition winner, Michael Chapman

Mnozil winners

Meanwhile, 4BR also had a wonderful response to our Mnozil Brass quiz, sponsored by Geneva, with four lucky people able to take someone along with them to see the group in action on their current tour.

Those who picked the correct answer of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ included Samantha Atherton, Janet Kelly, Paul Binder and Jeremy Wise, who have seen, or will be seeing, Mnozil in action at Basingstoke, Kingston, Southend and Leicester.

Unfortunately, the winners of the St Albans and Brighton dates were unable to attend the events.