Martin Green looks at why brass bands are so good and asks if the cut-throat culture around contesting is worth it.

Coming from the world of folk music where the notion of competition is much more controversial, Martin questions if there should really be winners and losers in music. What does pressure and adrenaline bring to the pursuit of excellence?

Having written a piece of brass band music to soundtrack this series, Martin now needs to record it. A bespoke band is compiled by baritone player Amy Ewen, who introduces us to a room full of exceptionally virtuosic musicians. These players are all the more impressive when you consider this is an amateur movement.

We follow Amy and others through their day at the National Brass Band Championship at the Royal Albert Hall to better understand the rollercoaster ride that is contesting.

Produced by Rebecca Gaskell and Martin Green

A Sparklab and Lepus co-production for BBC Radio 4 Show less