Letter from Sado is an exciting new piece for young band based on a Japanese haiku of the same name. Sado refers to Sado Island in Japan in which various artists religious and military leaders were sent in exile many years ago. The island has historically had a strong community of taiko drummers and as such the piece incorporates optional homemade taiko drums. Blackshaw writes: To capture the idea of interpretation and the concept of reading between the lines the students are invited to become decision makers about particular sections in the music. For example the opening and closing sections of the piece use the same material which is a selection of repeated melodic figures.The students themselves decide how to play these figures as individuals in small teams and then as a whole band. Their decisions include ideas regarding tempo (how fast?) dynamics (how loud?) and articulation (smooth short or hard?). To inspire them we use the haiku poem; i.e. the opening section invites the students to play the material as if it were a 'stormy wild sea' and the closing section invites the students to play the same melodic figures but this time draw their inspiration from 'Heaven's River ' or as we know it the Milky Way. In-between there is an elaborate heavily textured section that becomes increasingly powerful. The music doesn't rest harmonically until the whole band plays in unison. These multiple layers of sound represent the many thoughts and ideas that would have surrounded those individuals sent to Sado Island in exile the final unison is representative of their own breakthrough experience sending them on a pathway to inner peace and acceptance. Embrace your players' creativity offer them your trust and see how far Letter from Sado can take your band!

Suite Pigalle. Erik Satie, born in Honfleur in Normandy (France) in 1866 is undoubtedly one of the most striking personalities in the history of French music. He composed in various, often quite divergent, styles. Besides light-hearted, entertaining works he also wrote several serious compositions, among which the three ballets: Parade, Relâche and Les Aventures de Mercure. However, his piano pieces, such as Trois Gymnopédies or Gnossiennes will remain his most popular compositions. Satie cooperated with almost all the great artists of his time: Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Sergei Diaghilev, Georges Braque and composers Darius Milhaud (Le Groupe des Six) and Claude Debussy. Johan de Meij made an orchestration of three short pieces by Erik Satie: I. Petite Ouverture à danser - II. Gnossienne No. 1 (1890) - III. Gambades

Staying Alive starring John Travolta was a hit film in 1983. The music for this great film was written by different composers and the soundtrack was recorded by various well-known artists such as the Bee Gees. Frank Stallone (the brother of actor and director Sylvester Stallone) was also involved. He wrote the title song Far from Over. This song with its solid beat became a great success and was a number one hit practically all over the world. This arrangement for brass band is guaranteed to be a hit.

Originally an instrumental composition by Henry Mancini this engaging tune has been used in various film scores and later recorded by recording artists such as Sarah Vaughan and Sergio Mendes. Here's a smooth version for young players that features the entire ensemble.

Originally an instrumental composition by Henry Mancini this engaging tune has been used in various film scores and later recorded by recording artists such as Sarah Vaughan and Sergio Mendes. Here's a smooth version for young players that features the entire ensemble.