The British Open may have waited over a decade for Professor Edward Gregson to finally produce a test piece for the contest, but according to the composer it was well worth the wait it seems.

Terrific accolade

Speaking to 4BR, he said that he had enjoyed the day and all the performances from the bands. "I enjoyed it tremendously and it is such a terrific accolade to have 17 bands put so much work into performing the piece."

He added: "All the bands played it well I thought – some better than others of course, but they all coped with it."

I enjoyed it tremendously and it is such a terrific accolade to have 17 bands put so much work into performing the pieceEdward Gregson

Genesis

The composer also revealed that the inspiration for the work came from his ‘Saxophone Concerto’. "The genesis of the work comes from that piece as I thought as I was writing it that parts I couldn’t include in it would a terrific work for brass bands."

So will he be writing more for brass now? "It won’t be another 17 years before I write again — that’s for certain. So we will see."