In this exciting suite Philip Sparke sets out to capture the essence of his hometown London with each of the three movements depicting one of the many characteristics of this fascinating city. Skyline shows the frantic lifestyles of Londoners with millions of diverse people with different hopes and needs. Autumn shows the changes that take place in London during the different seasons and Downtown portrays the exciting nightlife of the West End.

Lyonesse was commissioned by the Brass Band Heritage Trust as the test piece for the Finals of the National Youth Brass Band Championships held in Manchester in April 2005. This atmospheric music ideal as a test piece for First and Second section bands takes its inspiration from the lost kingdom of Lyonesse the mythical spur of land linking Cornwall and the Scilly Isles and its associated legend of Tristan and Isolde. Brass Band Grade 5: 1st Section Duration: 13 minutes

Let your brass band play the blues. This inivotive work makes use of traditional blues harmonies over a strong rock beat. The cornets carry the melody first but this is soon taken over by a solo percussion break. The piece also makes use of mixed time signiatures where the whole band plays the blues scale in an uneaven seven beats!

Harlequin was commissioned by and is dedicated to Euphonium virtuoso David Childs. The piece takes its inspiration from the happy and sad masks that symbolise the Commedia dell'Arte (which features Harlequin as one of its main characters) and comprises of two movements a slow modal ballad followed by a frenetic faster movement. A fantastic showpiece for the Euphonium and Brass Band.

frm Hymn of the Highlands - Cornet Solo-The River Alladale provides the inspiration for this lyrical piece which has a lilting melody with an unmistakeable Scottish feel. The trio of Flugel Horn Tenor Horn and Baritone provide a wonderful sense of flowing with the river which as the piece progresses broadens and grows stronger as it nears the outlet to the sea by the Summer Isles. Bring a touch of Scots magic to your concert with this delightful piece.

This composition by Bertrand Moren presents various dreams which could have an effect on a dreamer’s life. Its very high level of difficulty provides a great challenge for the conductor and musicians. You will be taken through a living Nightmare with spine-chilling passages as dissonant chords alternate with aggressive percussion. Daydream is a patchwork of solos with all the brass band soloists playing serene and soft melodic lines with a virtuosic trombone cadenza. Finally Visions portrays visions of insanity reflected by violent and discordant descending motifs leading to visions of joy presented in a sparkling and cheerful finale.

This composition by Bertrand Moren presents various dreams which could have an effect on a dreamer’s life. Its very high level of difficulty provides a great challenge for the conductor and musicians. You will be taken through a living Nightmare with spine-chilling passages as dissonant chords alternate with aggressive percussion. Daydream is a patchwork of solos with all the brass band soloists playing serene and soft melodic lines with a virtuosic trombone cadenza. Finally Visions portrays visions of insanity reflected by violent and discordant descending motifs leading to visions of joy presented in a sparkling and cheerful finale.

Flugel Horn Tenor Horn & Baritone Trio from Hymn-The River Alladale provides the inspiration for this lyrical piece which has a lilting melody with an unmistakeable Scottish feel. The trio of Flugel Horn Tenor Horn and Baritone provide a wonderful sense of flowing with the river which as the piece progresses broadens and grows stronger as it nears the outlet to the sea by the Summer Isles. Bring a touch of Scots magic to your concert with this delightful piece.

Adventure Land was commissioned by Clermont Communauté (which includes the city and suburbs of Clermont-Ferrand) and the CREA (the directors of the local music schools and conservatoires). This work was the opening piece of a show combining orchestra, choir and actors, which was co-written by the author and producer David Bulcourt. The story takes place in the city of Clermont-Ferrand, which an explorer discovers through a series of riddles and adventures. Adventure Land is written in the form of a symphonic march which features a slow and pleasant passage in the middle of the work. The result is a dynamic and playful piece, similar to the style that one might find in cartoons or animated films.

The musical My Fair Lady (a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe) is based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. Show Me arranged by Mark Freeh is taken from Act II of My Fair Lady and is when Liza storms out of Higgins’ house to stumble outside into Freddy. Freddy protests that he is in love with her but Liza is sceptical and brushes him off. Brass Band Grade 4: Advanced Youth and 3rd Section Duration: 4 minutes

The sparkling Oxford Intrada is based on the well-known Christmas carol O Come All Ye Faithful. The piece takes its name from the place where it was first performed namely Oxford Cathedral in England.

Meditation on 'O come O come Immanuel'-The Advent hymn we all know today as O Come O Come Immanuel was arranged in its modern form by Thomas Helmore and published in Hymnal Noted in 1856. Both the words and melody however predate this version by centuries. The words are based on a 9th century antiphon and the tune Veni Immanuel is taken from a 15th century processional of French Franciscan nuns part of the setting for the funeral hymn Libera Me. This arrangement aims to expand on the power and mystery of the original tune and will be most effective if the solo cornet at the start and end of the piece can be placed away from the band maybe at the back of the auditorium.

In ‘Famous Folksongs’ we are taken on a musical trip around the world from France to the USA and from South America to the Middle East. Dagmar Kildevann arranged eight word famous folk songs in very different ways. From traditional (Lolo mi boto) to modern (Le coq est mort) and from swing (Sur le pont) to rock (Michael row the boat). Bon voyage have a pleasant journey! Oh and by the way don’t forget your passport!

from Despicable Me 2-Rarely does the title of a song so accurately describe the actual music! Pharrell Williams megahit was recorded for the movie DESPICABLE ME 2 but has taken on a life of its own on the internet and pop charts. Just hearing this tune makes you feel good!

Cornet Rock takes a look back at the history of pop music in the 1950’s and gives the young band a chance to rock and roll with the cornets taking the lead. Treat your cornets to this lively solo section feature.