The composition the Lonesome Knight was based on a fairytale. The piece was written by Saskia Apon for the National Brass Band Championships 2001. Once upon a time there was a knight who went to fight and defeat the dragon that had beenkilling the people of his town. There is a short but intense battle between the two and the knight is triumphant. However whilst persuing the dragon the knight has travelled far away from his home and now is lost. He roames around trying to findhis way home but exhausted and weary he falls to the ground. He awakens startled by a Giant and a group of Goblins who are celebrating the death of the dragon. The knight joins in the festivities but after a long evening is once more leftalone. The sun rises the following morning and he sees a castle on the horizon. He enthousiastcally ventures towards the castle in the hope of meeting other people. However he becomes greatly disillusioned when there is none to be found. Inhis desperation the knight climbs the tower ready to jump off. Suddenly he hears a heavenly voice. Right before him is the most beautiful princess he has ever seen. She graciously thanks him for killing the dragon a spark ingnites between themand they build a life together and.... live happily ever after! Saskia Apon studied harp at Rotterdam School of music. With this instrument she rounded of her studies by passing with credit however it was her love of composition thatremained her focus. Self-taught she began composing at the age of nine. Since then she has written pieces for The Dutch Brass Quintet The Dutch Brass Ensemble The Rotterdam Trombone Quartet and the brass band quintet Brass Ability. Atpresent she is the in-house arranger for The Rotterdam Philarmonic Brass Ensemble. Besides the customary attention for the real splashworks she endeavours to add value to the melodic function of the brass wind instruments in her music. Hercompositions and arrangements can be found on many diverse Cds.The composition the Lonesome Knight was based on a fairytale. The piece was written by Saskia Apon for the National Brass Band Championships 2001. Once upon a time there was aknight who went to fight and defeat the dragon that had been killing the people of his town. There is a short but intense battle between the two and the knight is triumphant. However whilst persuing the dragon the knight has travelled far awayfrom his home and now is lost. He roames around trying to find his way home but exhausted and weary he falls to the ground. He awakens startled by a Giant and a group of Goblins who are celebrating the death of the dragon. The knight joins inthe festivities but after a long evening is once more left alone. The sun rises the following morning and he sees a castle on the horizon. He enthousiastcally ventures towards the castle in the hope of meeting other people. However he becomesgreatly disillusioned when there is n

During the eighteenth century a person called 'the Dance Master' made his appearance in Ireland. He was a travelling dance-teacher who moved from one village to another to teach the people there how to dance. They were often flamboyant personalities gorgeously dressed and holding a staff in one hand. In order to teach their pupils the difference between their right and left leg the dance master used to tie a small bunch of straw or hay to their leg and then would order them to either lift their 'hay-leg' or their 'straw-leg'. The dancing masters used to stay in one particular village for about six weeks (if they were not claimed by a neighbouringvillage) after which they continued their journey. Having a famous dance master gave a village a certain distinction and did not seldom lead to boasting and pride. Also on account of the popularity of Celtic music in general at the moment William Vean was inspired to writing 'The Irish Dance Master'. He 'teaches' you two dances the Reel and the Jig. In between these two dances there is a short breathing space during which a traditional Irish rhythm can be enjoyed.

Music of the Spheres was commissioned by the Yorkshire Building Society Band and first performed by them at the European Brass Band Championships in Glasgow May 2004.The piece reflects the composers fascination with the origins of the universe and deep space in general. The title comes from a theory formulated by Pythagoras that the cosmos was ruled by the same laws he had discovered that govern the ratios of note frequencies of the musical scale. (‘Harmonia’ in Ancient Greek which means scale or tuning rather than harmony - Greek music was monophonic). He also believed that these ratios corresponded to the distances of the sixknown planets from the sun and thatthe planets each produced a musical note which combined to weave a continuous heavenly melody (which unfortunately we humans cannot hear). In this work these six notes form the basis of the sections Music of the Spheres and Harmonia.The pieces opens with a horn solo called t = 0 a name given by some scientists to the moment of the Big Bangwhen time and space were created and this is followed by a depiction of the Big Bangitself as the entire universe bursts out from a single point. A slower section follows called The Lonely Planet which is a meditation on the incredible and unlikely set of circumstances which led to the creation of the Earth as a planet that can support life and the constant search for other civilizations elsewhere in the universe. Asteroids and Shooting Stars depicts both the benign and dangerous objects that are flying through space and which constantly threaten our planet and the piece ends with The Unknown leaving in question whether our continually expanding exploration of the universe will eventually lead to enlightenment or destruction.

In upstate New York lie the Catskill Mountains - an extraordinary combination of tranquillity and power peace and majesty. Once seen they call you back again and again. This brass band transcription has been made by Phillip Littlemore and explores the sonorous and warm sounds of the brass band. The Catskills is the second movement of East Coast Pictures originally written for wind band and was commissioned in 1985 by the British Youth Wind Orchestra with funds from National Westminster Bank plc. These three short ‘pictures’ were inspired by several visits by the composer to a small part of the USA’s East Coast an area that provides great extremesin the geography and the people.

Flying the Breeze opens with three repeated B's (representing the initials of the Breeze Brass Band from Japan who commissioned this work). A short introduction leads to a robust theme from the baritones and euphoniums which is taken up by cornets and trombones. A restless bridge passage leads to a syncopated tune from the solo cornet and then to a third theme from a solo trombone. A graceful second subject leads back to a recall of the introductory material before a full-scale recapitulation. An intense allargando leads to a full-band version of the second subject under a running cornet passage which leads to a short coda.

A Masque (short for Masquerade) has been defined by Historians as 'A revel in which Mummers or masked folk come with torches blazing into the festive hall and call upon the company to dance and dice'. The chaos of this dramatic dance is depicted in this 'Masque' by Hesketh. The main theme is bravura and is often present in the background. The form of the piece is a simple scherzo-trio-scherzo. Colourful scoring (upper wind solos trumpet and horn solos alternating with full bodied tuttis) with a dash of wildness may tease both player and listener to let their hair down a little! 'Masque' has been transcribed for wind band by Kenneth Hesketh from his 'Scherzo for Orchestra' commissioned by the National Children's Orchestra in 1987.

East Coast Pictures originally written for wind band have now been transcribed by Phillip Littlemore introducing these exciting programmatic pieces to a wider audience. These three short ‘pictures’ were inspired by several visits by the composer to a small part of the USA’s East Coast an area that provides great extremes in the geography and the people. Shelter Island is a small island situated almost at the end of Long Island a few hours’ drive east of New York. In the summer it becomes a crowded tourist trap but in the winter it is gloriously deserted and bravely faces the onslaught of the turbulent Atlantic shrouded in sea mists anddriving rain. In upstate New York lie the Catskill Mountains an extraordinary combination of tranquillity and power peace and majesty. Once seen they call you back again and again. New York ...or to be precise Manhattan. For anyone who is familiar with this bizarre and wonderful city this ‘picture’ needs no explanation. For those not yet hooked here is a foretaste of things to come.

‘Circus Delight’ is a five-part suite which is set how could it be otherwise in a big circus tent. The suite starts with a part called ‘Entrance’. The orchestra positioned above the entrance of the ring asks for the attention of the audience and then the ring announcer enters. The show can begin! The elephants play a central role in the first act. These colossal grey animals are rather slow and perform their tricks in a moderate tempo. (‘Elephant Blues’) How different are ‘The Acrobats’. At high speed they run jump and fly through the ring until ....... It gets very exciting. Fortunately all’s well that ends well and they take their leave of the audienceat a trot. Everyone knows and yet it is mostly not spoken about that when a clown has taken off his red nose and rubbed off his make-up his face off-stage is not always a happy one. (‘Tears of the Clown’) The piece ends on a cheerful note with ‘The Parade’ in which all the artists make their entrance in the ring once again to gratefully acknowledge the audience’s overwhelming applause.

Call of the Clans (?L?appel des clans?) est un voyage musical à travers les Highlands (Hautes-Terres) d?Écosse une région de montagnes aux contours déchiquetés de collines verdoyantes de lacs aux eaux cristallines de châteaux en ruines et de villages pittoresques jadis organisés en clans. Chaque clan peut s?enorgueillir de posséder un patrimoine riche en traditions conquis et défendu par le fer et par le feu. C?est ainsi que les superbes Highlands devinrent le théâtre de nombreuses guerres et luttes entre clans.Call of the Clans de Kevin Houben est une confrontation musicale dans un style authentiquement écossais. Accompagnés d?une mélodie entraînante lesclans se préparent à défendre leurs traditions sous un ciel menaçant. Si les nuages gâchent un peu le début des festivités on voit progressivement apparaître quelques timides rayons de soleil qui réchauffent la terre ; les festivités reprennent. Chaque clan présente ses meilleurs danseurs et la compétition se termine avec un grand finale.

Scottish Dances is based on three Scottish traditionals: Cock of the North The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond and Marie's Wedding. I. Cock of the North's name is used for multiple things or events. For example for a locomotive to a famous it seems delicious liqueur and rallies to snowboard competitions. Furthermore is 'Cock O' the North ' a nickname of a famous Duke. (The 4th Duke of Gordon). In this composition Cock of the North (a Jig) is a traditional Scottish bagpipe tune regularly played on tattoos by Pipe Bands. Not infrequently the drummers sing the text. Auntie Mary had a canary Up the leg of her trousers While she was sleeping Iwas peeping Up the leg of her trousers. II. ' The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond ' is about a sad story that took place during an revolt against the British. In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie had to retreat. Two of his men were captured. One was convicted and executed while the other was released. The spirit of the executed soldier would arrive in Scotland via the 'low road' (underworld) before his companion who had still a long way to go. You'll take the high road And I'll take the low road And I'll be in Scotland afore ye But me and my true love will never meet again On the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond III. In a Scottish wedding after the official ceremonies there is often danced. This is called a ceilidh. For this we use traditional Scottish music such as 'Marie's Wedding '. Mid dance we go back to the church where a lovely song in honor of the couple sounds. Marie's Wedding has been recorded by Van Morrison (among many others). Step we gaely on we go heel for heel and toe for toe Arm and arm and on we go all for Marie's wedding

for Flugel Horn Solo and Brass Band-Moon Song Sun Dance was commissioned by flugel horn virtuoso Claude Romailler and premiered by him at the Swiss National Solo and Quartet Championships in April 2012.As the title implies the work is in two contrasting movements which can be performed separately or together.Moon Song opens with a flowing modal theme which the soloist embellishes before the band takes centre stage. A central section brightens the mood with a new melody over the lightest of accompaniments; this is once again developed by the soloist until the original theme reappears played by the band. This introduces a cadenza for the soloist which either closes the movement or can beextended to link directly to the second movement.Sun Dance is a vivace 6/8 scherzo which opens with a flourish from the band. The soloist then introduces the main theme which in turn is taken up by the band. A short bridge passage heralds a change of key and a new melody from the soloist. A brief central interlude then introduces a change of meter and recalls the main melody of Moon Song before a recapitulation leads to a florid coda which brings the work to a close.Solo part: difficulty 5

The Ketchup Song-The Ketchup Song was a big 2002 summer hit for the Munoz sisters. The band is made up of three sisters Lol Lucia and Pilar who are the daughters of a famous Spanish flamenco musician called Tomate (hence Ketchup!). This fabulous arrangement will bring a taste of summer on the Costa to any concert.

Les Anges dans nos campagnes-The title of this clever arrangement reveals the Christmas song it is based on. The melody can be traced back to a French folksong from the 18th century which is now known around the world. In France it is called Les anges dans nos campagnes in Germany it is most widely known as Engel auf den Feldern singen and in England it was originally called Angels From the Realms of Glory but it often known as Angels We Have Heard on High. Everyone will rejoice upon hearing the ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’ refrain!