Sunday's pre-Championship Section taster was provided by an excellent battle between 10 well matched bands, each making the most of their opportunity to impress on an ideally pitched test-piece.

Although the judges (Ian Brownbill and Chris King) gave forthright opinions from the stage and in their written remarks, outlining the need for consistency as well as the ability to avoid the more obvious pitfalls that they felt some fell into, it meant that the contenders all left clearly understanding why they came where they did in the final results table.

Character

Meanwhile, 'Ex Terra Lucem' composer Jonathan Bates (who listening intently to the contest) will have been delighted by the way in which every MD sought to bring out the character of each of the three contrasting movements of his work.

In the end it was Hucknall & Linby, fresh from their recent victory on the same piece at the local NEMBBA contest that produced a consistent, well-crafted account under MD Paul Whyley to claim the honours to return to Cheltenham for the first time since 2015.

Formed in 2008 their latest success further confirmed the fine progress being made under his command, (they go into the First Section in 2019) with an impressive list of recent contest accolades — the latest of which came courtesy of a performance admirably measured in terms of tempi and dynamic contrasts with everything in its place thanks to the intelligent musical approach and the confident ensemble and solo playing around the stands. They are an impressive outfit.

Snapped at heels

Joining them in Cheltenham will be another 2018 form band, as Rolls Royce (Derby) led Graham Cardwell once again snapped at their heels (the duo were first and second at the NEMBBA event) to secure their second successive appearance.

Just missing out was an energetic, vibrantly paced rendition from Tintwistle in third under Sarah Groarke-Booth, whilst the remaining top-six places in a contest that saw each band capturing significant elements of the colour and character of the music (aided by intelligent percussion playing) go to fine efforts from Foss Dyke, Bakewell Silver and Stourport on Severn.

Credit

Behind them the standard did drop off, but with the MDs seeking the musical character even those that found themselves at the bottom end of the compact results table (there wasn't much to choose between those outside the top-six) emerged with a great deal of credit.

The qualifiers will head to Cheltenham as bands to listen out for on this impressive form.

In the end it was Hucknall & Linby, fresh from their recent victory on the same piece at the local NEMBBA contest that produced a consistent, well-crafted account under MD Paul Whyley to claim the honours4BR

Result:

Second Section:

Test Piece: Ex Terra Lucem (Jonathan Bates)
Adjudicators: Ian Brownbill & Chris King

1. Hucknall & Linby MC (Paul Whyley)*
2. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell)*
3. Tintwistle (Sarah Groarke-Booth)
4. Foss Dyke (Michael Howley)
5. Bakewell Silver (Jim Henson)
6. Stourport-on-Severn (Oliver Wilson)
7. City of Coventry (Stephen Cooper)
8. Avonbank (Evesham) (Colin Hogg)
9. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Lindon Bolt)
10. Daventry Brass (Ken Ewer)

*Qualify for National Final