Pacific Dreams describes the experience of Miguel a traveling composer from Spain who feeling somewhat alienated from his homeland is wandering through an area of Sydney known as The Rocks. At a small outdoor market in a typical street of this oldcolonial neighbourhood he discovers a print of William DeShazos painting 'Pacific Dreams' Portrayed in the painting is the surf of one of the exotic islands in the Pacific. Next with the impressive Sydney Harbour Bridge looming over the narrowstreets of The Rocks he envisions sultry Pacific beaches. Suddenly a theme he once composed about the lakes in Japan comes to him. Is it the Asian influences present in cosmopolitan Sydney that bring this theme to mind? Or perhaps the waters aroundSydney over which he could sail to Tahiti? He is uncertain. Could this same theme be used to create a new composition about his feelings for the metropolis Sydney? How then to work his Pacific Dreams into the mix? Miguel is certainly no fan ofHawaiian music. Mayby he could use the vocabularies of islands like Hawaii and Tahiti their beautiful vowel combinations being sung ad libitum by a mixed choir.With these ideas and his newly purchased print of 'Pacific Dreams' he boards the Metroat Circular Quay. He has a final glimpse of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House as the train races into the ground. On to the hotel! To work! He must compose!Maestoso : Miguel is impressed as he gazes upon the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And yet hewants to go away from this city. Away to an exotic island in the Pacific.Steady Rock : In the Rocks musicians are playing at a square. Miguel basks in the atmosphere but at the same time he is fantasizing about Hawaii and Tahiti.Andante Lamentoso :In his hotel room Miguel is feeling sad and lonely in this big city. He takes comfort in his 'Pacific Dreams'.Allegro : Miguel boards the boat that takes him from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay. In his mind he is traveling on to Hawaii. Or is ithome where the bolero is playing? He is pulled back to reality by the skyline of Sydney.

Meet the Band! was written as an ‘opening work’ but it is also perfectly suitable for performing halfway through a concert programme. During the introduction the cornet players are lined up on both sides of the stage while the trombone players take centre stage. Gradually all the sections of the band are introduced to the audience. Meet the Band? You certainly have!

Time Machine is a journey through time that begins in the Stone Age. Evolution and the coming of man take place. The journey takes us into the present in which disorientation and chaos abound. We travel further into the future. An unfamiliar quiet and surreal landscape lies before us and we wander through it bewildered as we become aware of the destruction of the environment. Suddenly and for no reason memories from our childhood are awoken. Cultures have become completely mixed into one and the evolution of man has run its course. We realise that there is no ?afterwards? as before us lies the Stone Age once again... The wheel of time spins blindly on and all isrepeated.

And When the River Told was commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association for the Scottish Open Championship held on 20th November 2012 at the Perth Concert Hall. This colourful work takes one of Scotland’s great rivers the Tay as its subject. Brass Band Grade 6: Championship. Duration: 13 Minutes.

Eb Horn Solo-Aria was commissioned by and written for the remarkable tenor horn player Sheona White. The work opens with an accompanied recitative which leads to a change of key where the main melody is presented. This in turn serves as an introduction to another melodic idea marked calmato. The band takes up this theme and then takes centre stage with a passionate repeat of the main theme which is completed by the soloist. A cornet then plays the calmato theme against which the soloist plays a counter melody. This leads to a return of the opening recitative which brings the work to a peaceful close. A fantastic new addition to the solo repertoire for this much neglected soloinstrument.

40 Progressive Duets for Trombones or Euphoniums BC-Philip Sparke’s Skilful Duets is the second volume of a progressive series of duet books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Following on from the first book in the series (Starter Duets) this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Duets introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrument ranges; the concept of tempo and style indications is also introduced. Skilful Duets provides invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method.

In a four-part composition Rieks van der Velde takes us to the richly varied area surrounding the university city of Cambridge. The Dutch composer was especially inspired by the atmosphere of Cambridgeshire the county which lies north ofLondon. 1. The Journey. Although on arrival the area looks peaceful and friendly the ruggedness of its inhabitants and landscape have an unmistakable influence on the music. In the course of the tour which starts with an Allegromovement we are shown the vitality energy and freshness of the Cambridgeshire countryside. Short themes swift and sudden motifs and rhythmical patterns supported by the drive of percussion instruments give expression to this image. Thefirst part is concluded by two Calmo movements in which the music expresses how the cathedral in the city of Ely comes into sight and is gradually approached. 2. Visit to Ely Cathedral. The famous Norman cathedral church of Ely whichwas built in 1109 has attracted tourists from all over the world apart from being a place of worship and heritage site. A cornet solo introduces the contemplative mood of the composition at this point. The mystical atmosphere of thecathedral runs through this lyrical part like a continuous thread. 3. The Pub. The thirst caused by this intensive journey makes a visit to the local pub a definite must. These ?public houses? which may be open until the earlyhours of the morning offer all kinds of entertainment. Drinks are served liberally and the atmosphere is lively. 4. The Journey Back. Time has flown: In other words the moment of departure has come sooner than one would havewished. In a flashback which recaptures elements of the first part of the composition we say goodbye to Cambridgeshire in a fitting manner. Two scintillating final measures bring us abruptly back to the present.

This three-movement concert work takes its inspiration from the picturesque Swiss town of Sion and its castles and churches dating from the Middle Ages. Bertrand Moren attempts to imagine what life was like at the time these great buildings were constructed. With this piece you can take your band back to ancient times mixing modal religious themes with the gory battles on the town walls!

South Down Pictures was commissioned by Millenium Brass 2000 an organisation comprising three brass bands from the county of Sussex England.The bands (Patcham Silver Hangleton and Brighton Silver) had got together to organise many events to mark the new millennium and these culminated in a concert in Hove Town Hall on July 9th 2000 when all three bands combined to give the first performance of South Down Pictures. The composer spent much of his childhood amongst the South Downs a range of hills in Sussex which runs parallel to the sea.Opening with a strong unison passage interrupted briefly by faster figures based on the interval of a fifth South Down Picturesdevelops with an often-passionate legato melody. Reaching a climax this is then followed by the main vivo section of the work whose main theme is based on the earlier ‘fifth’ figures. A bridge passage leads to a short chorale figure and a rhythmic climax which dissolves into a plaintive cornet solo over staccato chords. This theme is taken up by the whole band and leads back to a recapitulation of the main theme and earlier material. The cornet tune returns triumphantly in the major key before the opening unison passage reappears to provide a stirring coda.

Break-Dance is an obvious next of kin to the two Clarinet trios Vox In Rama and Tattoo For Three. This piece however combines the roaring despair of the first trio with the twisted rhythmical display of the latter. The title of course is a reference to the modern street-dance electric boogie but the very music itself takes the naming most literally indeed: formally and rhythmically after a straightforward head-on opening it breaks into isolated jagged fragments winding up in a bouncing piano cadenza. Albeit not an obvious piano concerto the piano part hovers in the front line the same way the horizontal guy ringing himself on the pavement is doubtless aneye-catcher to passers-by. The springy 'body-language' that kicks off the piece suddenly stiffens and freezes into hard-edged blocks and the real 'dance of breaks' emerges into focus. Break-dance is commissioned by and dedicated to Yvar Mikhashoff and Spectrum. Arranged for 2 Trumpets 3 Trombones and Piano.

The young have the future. This is the statement made at the beginning of ‘Like a Child’ by Andreas Ludwig Schulte. The opening radiates strength and ambition but one is also made to wonder which direction will be chosen which choices will have to be made.After the introduction the first steps on the path of life are taken still somewhat unsteadily (the 3/4th time used illustrates this uncertainty). However the child has now set off and will meet the future with an open mind unafraid even though experience will teach it how easily it can be hurt.Fortunately it is sometimes allowed to be vulnerable and it discovers there will always be someone to offer shelter support and love. (Adagio) The last part breathes a far greater independence. Youth is able to face the future it can even take on the whole world!

Bruce Fraser composed this test piece for the ‘Gouden Spiker Festival’ 2003 (The Netherlands). Suite Celebration was inspired by events in his recent family life. The first movement celebrates the marriage of his daughter and reflects her bubbly personality and vitality. The melodies and harmonies of the whole work are based on a note row which came up during a discussion with the publisher. The second movement celebrates the birth of his grand-daughter ‘Rebecca Aileen’ and takes the form of a ballad featuring expressive opportunities for the soloists. The final movement is more of a look into the future and hope of success and a good life for hisfamily. Who knows what is coming?

Sword Dance from Hymn of the Highlands-Strathcarron is a movement from Philip Sparke’s Hymn of the Highlands in which each movement reflects a different location in the beautiful Scottish highlands. Stratcarron named after a village at the head of Loch Carron near the Isle of Skye takes the form of a sword dance which alternates between fast and slow tempi.

Taken from the original 1989 Disney production ?The Little Mermaid?, Under The Sea will get a smile on anyone?s face! It?s fun to play and not too difficult, perfect for young bands!

Latin Music in three variations. Caribbean Sketches takes the band and audience from the reggae sound of Beach Party to the siesta Lazy Afternoon and concludes with a rousing finale in Let's dance. Don't forget your sunglasses!