The 2024 Tiffin Battle of the Bands saw an impressive thirty acts compete once again for the titles of best soloist, best Year 9 band, and best band overall. The first preliminary round welcomed all members of music classes 9X, Y and Z1, each of whom had formed bands with fellow class members and prepared their performances during curricular music lessons over the course of the half term, building on the ‘four chord song’ topic studied earlier this year. The second preliminary round was then the opportunity for the many open entries, including pupils from all year groups 7 to 13, to present their many and varied performances, both ensemble and solo. Fifteen acts went through to the evening’s final round which adjudicator Jonathan Hill (whose performing experience includes national TV, radio and festivals such as Glastonbury, SXSW and Latitude) described as ‘the most diverse Battle of the Bands’ he had ever seen. Not surprising given the adventurous arranging and orchestration of many bands (combining amplified and orchestral instruments) and the varied genres of the music they performed (from rock and pop through to musical theatre and classical crossover). Following Mr Hill’s excellent advice, he selected some impressive performers for special commendations, followed by the three brilliant winners: Hansen (10GAN) for his Blues for DD, The Final Countdown performed by James’ 9Y1 band and, for the best performance of the night, Don’t Look Back In Anger, presented by the Year 10 ‘big’ band.