Par SADELER GEORGES. Schola Vitae, dedicated to the former director of UGDA Music School in Luxembourg, Paul Scholer, describes in an 8-minute piece that learning and playing music is a school for life. Starting with popular scales that ascend and descend through various keys, an essential tool familiar to every musician appears: the metronome. It sets the tempo, and musicians practice their themes together or against each other, register by register. In music, however, it's not just about technique and precision, but also about emotions. Music connects people, fosters friendships, and accompanies them through the highs and lows of life. The sense of togetherness in music becomes increasingly audible. Everyone works together and pulls in the same direction to ultimately achieve something great. Georges Sadeler, born in 1988 is a Luxembourgish composer and saxophonist with the Grand Ducal Military Band of Luxembourg. His father kindled his interest in composing and arranging at an early age, a study he later continued under his two teachers Marco Pütz and Claude Lenners, both of whom taught at the Conservatoire of Music, Luxembourg. He gradually began to establish his own style, combining the enormous range of possibilities of contemporary music and classical music and, in the years that followed, he won six first prizes at various national and international composition competitions. His works have since been performed all over Europe. / Date parution : 2023-10-31/ Répertoire / Concert Band / Harmonie

St. Michael-The French composer Louis Bourgeois lived from c.1510 to 1560. Bourgeois was cantor in Geneva and commissioned by John Calvin he composed melodies for metrical (rhyming) versions of the psalms. After completing about a hundred one-part psalms he made some four-part arrangements which were denounced and even resulted in his imprisonment for a day. Later Bourgeois published a number of psalm collections and judging from his book Le droict chemin de musique he was also an excellent educator. The melodies Bourgeois composed are (contrary to Gregorian chants) particularly suitable for community singing. This applies to his hymn tune Saint Michael which is why this melody hasbeen used for various texts written for many occasions. John Blanken made this arrangement for a wedding ceremony: an occasion in which faith and trust play a large - if not the largest - role. Hence the title Hymn of Faith. The arrangement contains four verses of the hymn. After a majestic opening the hymn follows twice the second verse being embellished in the tenor register. After a short interlude verse three follows played by a quartet. The majestic opening is then repeated as a modulation into the fourth verse which concludes the work in a brilliant tutti.

In 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' Scottish composer Bruce Fraser makes a sport of misleading his audience time and again. The title already indicates that this piece has been based on the well-known Carol 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' even if the melody makes a somewhat halting start. When it gathers pace however also due to the percussion section suddenly various other carols may be recognized. Peace and quiet reign in the middle part during which we can enjoy Bach's charming 'O Jesulein süss'. 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' ends in the same way it began even if more and more Carols put in an appearance. Merry Christmas!

In 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' Scottish composer Bruce Fraser makes a sport of misleading his audience time and again. The title already indicates that this piece has been based on the well-known Carol 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' even if the melody makes a somewhat halting start. When it gathers pace however also due to the percussion section suddenly various other carols may be recognized. Peace and quiet reign in the middle part during which we can enjoy Bach's charming 'O Jesulein süss'. 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' ends in the same way it began even if more and more Carols put in an appearance. Merry Christmas!

Par SAUCEDO RICHARD. This powerful work for band is composed in two main sections. The opening slow section features stunning impact points mixed with moments of majestic lyricism and distinctive harmonies. The energetic Presto section in 3/4 is introduced using a percussion ostinato with heroic and fanfare-like figures layered in from various sections of the band. The piece builds to an exciting finish resulting in a true celebration of sound! Dur: 3:40 / Date parution : 2022-07-23/ Répertoire / Concert Band