Emley Brass Band won the Third Section of the Wychavon Festival of Brass Entertainment contest in fine style on Sunday.

The band left Yorkshire in the early hours of Sunday morning, to compete in Pershore, a few miles east of Worcester.

Entertaining programme

Under the direction of Garry Hallas, the band opened their 20 minute programme with the 'Battle Hymn of the Republic', followed by the Charlie Parker big band standard 'Birdland'.

The band’s stand-up solo was taken on by principal Eb Bass player, Gary Brown, with a fine rendition of his son’s favourite song, 'Nellie the Elephant', before the gentleman of the band then sang 'The Teddy Bears Picnic' with accompaniment from the remainder of the band.

To close the programme, the band played film music written by Vangelis to depict the journey of Christopher Columbus to the Americas, 'A Conquest of Paradise'.

This success follows first place in section at the Pogson Bray Trust and Easingwold contests. A trio of successes across the three brass band contest disciplines, test piece, marching and entertainment4BR

Nervous wait

Then followed the nervous wait to see what adjudicator, Roy Sparkes had made of their performance, and to see how it compared with those of the other bands. They needn’t have worried – as Roy Sparkes gave them the prize for best percussion and first place!

This success follows first place in section at the Pogson Bray Trust and Easingwold contests. A trio of successes across the three brass band contest disciplines, test piece, marching and entertainment.

The band will be showing off their new collection of silverware at Pudsey Civic Centre on Friday 26th September.