There was plenty of keen competition on offer in the UniBrass Shield contest, where the ensembles (player numbers varied greatly) certainly got into the slightly more relaxed approach with 'guest appearances' from Elvis, Godzilla, dinosaurs and even a couple of light sabre toting conductors.

All this and it wouldn't have been a typical UniBrass event without a tale of the obligatory 'broken coach' story — this time affecting the unfortunate Keele University, who gamely carried on with their travels to perform later in the day.

Excellent value

The eventual winners, University of Bristol were excellent value for their clear three-point margin of victory, after giving solid performances of a brace of substantial works under the engaging baton of Zak Estrop that certainly impressed adjudicators Helen Varley and Chris Bradley.

A free flowing 'Dimensions' by Peter Graham and colourful 'The Saga of Tyrfing' by Jacob Vilhelm Larsen, complete with their own white bearded percussionist, who was more Santa Claus than a malevolent sword wielding dwarf, showed mature musicianship, tied with fine soloists in Peter Simmons on euphonium and Lawrence Cooper on cornet who were later singled out for particular praise.

Striking contrasts

Leeds University Union Music Society led by Connor Stanford were also good value for coming runner-up, with an outstanding personal contribution from 'Best Soloist' Jacob Smith on James Curnow's 'Rhapsody for Euphonium'. In a programme of striking contrasts they managed to also fit on 'Soul Bossa Nova', 'Amazing Grace' and 'It's Raining Men.'

Just behind them came the University of Chichester led by Emma Button with a set that encompassed Irvin Berlin to The Beatles a touching flugel and trombone 'Lullaby' and the swingtastic 'Pencil full of Lead' to close.

Cleverly pitched

There was also a great deal to enjoy with the other bands — with the final top-six slots filled by well managed, enthusiastically delivered performances by Lancaster University, Southampton University and Cambridge University — the latter taking the 'Most Entertaining Band' award for their cleverly pitched humorous efforts that included everything from Barry Manilow to a sword fight from the film, 'Gladiator'.

Meanwhile, the University of York gave a charming account of Owen Russell's lovely arrangement of Holst's 'I Love My Love' that took the 'Best New Composition' award, whilst Nottingham Trent University left with plenty to cheer despite coming last with splendid 'Best Percussion' percussion work and the 'Best March' performance with the classic, 'Aces High'.

Steve Jack

Results:

Adjudicators: Helen Varley & Chris Bradley

1. University of Bristol (Zak Eastrop) — 145
2. Leeds University Union Music Society (Connor Stanford) — 142
3. University of Chichester (Emma Button) — 140
4. Lancaster University (Georgia Williams) — 139
5. Southampton University (Will Wilkins) — 138
6. Cambridge University (Robert Turnbull) — 135
7. Keele University (Katharine Slater) — 133
8. University of York (Prachvith Sean Intarasuwan) — 132*
9. Cardiff University Robert Stevens/Jack Brookes)- 132
10. Oxford University (Myrddin Rees Davies) — 131
11. Nottingham Trent University (Peter Lacey/Joel Moore) — 130

* Deducted 4 points due to time infringement

Best Soloist: Jacob Smith (euphonium) — Leeds ('Rhapsody for Euphonium' — James Curnow)
Most Entertaining: Cambridge
Best March: Nottingham Trent — 'Aces High'
Best Percussion: Nottingham Trent
Student Conductor: York

Best Student Composition: Owen Russell (York) — 'I Love My Love'

Where scores are tied, music points take precedent