Amazingly, given that there is so much wonderful ballet music to enjoy, this is only the second time that a selection from the genre has been used to test the very best bands in the land.

Bliss

The only other time when bands have had to don the tights and tutus was in 1978, when the ‘Four Dances’ from ‘Checkmate’ by Sir Arthur Bliss (above) were used (although only three of the movements of the suite were actually performed on the day).

Yorkshire Imps played the part of the Black Queen to perfection under the direction of Dennis Carr, stabbing Besses O’ the Barn’s chances of winning off the number 1 draw in the back, to take the famous trophy back home with them.

Ballet for Band

The 1983 test piece ‘Ballet for Band’ by Joseph Horovitz was in fact music from an imaginary ballet – one that was best played out on stage by the sturdy blokes of Cory, who claimed their second of a eventual hat trick of wins under the baton of the great Arthur Kenney.

The 1983 test piece ‘Ballet for Band’ by Joseph Horovitz was in fact music from an imaginary ballet4BR

No Nutcracker

As yet there has been no arrangements of some of the greatest ballet music in the world – from ‘Don Quixote’, ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘The Nutcracker’, ‘The Rite of Spring’, ‘Giselle’ or even ‘Swan Lake’.

Plenty of time though for Mr Snell to get to work.....