This stately concert opener was originally written by Jan Van der Roost for a special event in which six respected wind orchestras (two Belgian and four Dutch) of different composition (two symphonic bands two fanfare bands and two brass bands) were featured during six concerts. Each evening brought forth a performance by a symphonic band a fanfare and brass band so that the audience could experience all three types of ensembles. This was indeed an original concept.The name ConZEnSus comes from a combination of the words ‘Concert Cyclus’ (concert series) and ‘zes’ (Dutch for ‘six’). This leads to a new word which refers to ‘consensus’. The general tenor of the cycle isthus immediately indicated. The richness of color of the various ensembles is revealed through an open and friendly atmosphere. During all six concerts (over a span of three years) ConZEnSus functioned as a permanent opening number for each orchestra. Thus the same musical story was portrayed in three different packages.

Vivid Brass was commissioned by Vivid Brass Tokyo a brass band that is made up of professional players who meet up for concerts and recording projects. Philip Sparke has been a frequent guest conductor with the band. The result is Vivid Brass a work in which all sections come to the fore as the energy of the band shines through!

In this composition William Vean takes you on a journey through the fascinating and exciting world of animals. Apart from it being a composition filled with 'special effects' Animal Kingdom contains many educational elements such as playing inswing (triplets feeling) chromatics flutter tonguing gypsy tuning varying keys and of course dynamics and articulation. The melodic lines occur in all four voices as well as in all percussion parts providing each musician with theopportunity to play a solo or to accompany. Highly recommended for your youth band! William Vean is an educational composer. He knows how to musically shape the special elements from our daily lives. His music is therefore veryexpressive containing creative solutions to possible problems. Special ways of playing make his music particularly interesting for the winds but the percussion section is also featured in his special effects. The world of the animalsalways plays on ones imagination. In Animal Kingdom William Vean has portrayed a number of animals in a special manner: Kevin Kangaroo - The jumping character of this animal can be heard in different voices. The swing style alsoemphasizes the characteristic movements of the kangaroo. Playing in swing style can be practised by using scales. Eddy Elephant - For some of his smaller fellow fauna friends this can be quite an ordeal but for Eduard (Eddy for friendsand intimates) it is his daily walk. Baldrick Bat - Baldrick the Bat is a mysterious character. This can be heard in the fast moving valves and keys accompanied by special effects in the percussion section. Curtis Camel - Curtisthe Camel trudges across the desert feeling bored. The idea that the horizon will never change does not affect him anymore. He has accepted his fate. The distinctive tones from the gypsy scale provide the suitable oriental sounds. BettyButterfly - Butterfly Betty elegantly and without worries flutters from flower to flower in the garden. Her motto: Carpe Diem (Seize the Day). Betty is a one-day butterfly. Marvin Monkey - A 'swing' monkey stirs up the feelings. Evenmembers of the orchestra will look like real monkeys. How about your audience? Each part has its own difficulties and challenges. Important in the first part is playing 'in swing' (triplets feeling). This can be practised usingscales. In the second part ensemble playing and balance are important. In Baldrick additional information on the effects that have to be played might be useful. 'New' sounds are of course welcome. Curtis the Camel introduces thegypsy scale. Additional explanation of the use of the scale might be useful. Key changes are interesting in this part. A slight accent on the first beat of the bar will add to the charm of this part. Marvin the Monkey brings back the swingrhythm that was introduced in the first part altern

It is no secret that Richard Wagner (1813-1883) is one of the prolific German composers ever to have lived. Primarily known for his operas Die Götterdämmerung is the last of Wagner's 'Ring Cycle'. The Funeral March is superbly arranged for 10-Part brass choir with percussion by Robert King. Die Götterdämmerung received its premiere in 1876 as part of the first complete performance of the 'Ring'. The title refers to a prophesised war from Norse mythology. The Funeral March occurs in the third act for the funeral of Siegfried thelegendary hero. King's arrangement of Wagner's Funeral March for 10-part brass choir and percussion makes the piece much more versatile and accessible.

To some the tragic story of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne would need no introduction and to some the pain felt is still very much a reality. The composer born just a few weeks before that fateful night on the 19th December 1981 has created this work as a musical homage to the bravery of the souls who lost their lives and has dedicated it to their memory. Penlee was commissioned by the Cornwall Youth Brass Band using funds bequeathed by Michael Pickett. The first performance was given by the Cornish Youth Brass Band conducted by Ian Porthouse at St. Michael’s Church Newquay on 30th December 2008. Penleehas been voted into the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2011 at No.106. Not only is it the first time a brass work has been featured in the Hall of Fame but it was also the highest new entry. The work has subsequently been recorded by the Leyland Band conducted by Jason Katsikaris on the CD entitled Penlee .Brass Band Grade 4: Advanced Youth and 3rd Section Duration: 13 minutes

Torsion was commissioned by the Leyland Band and first performed on 23 January 2010 at the Royal Northern College of Music Festival of Brass Manchester by Leyland Band conducted by Jason Katsikaris.This colourful and dynamic work is the most personal and ambitious that Simon Dobson composed during his residency with the Lancashire brass band. The dictionary defines torsion as the state of being twisted and the composer interprets this as the imagined dis-torsions and con-torsions of Time Light and Sound in three contrasting movements. Simon Dobson fuses the traditional brass band sound with drive and energy of pop and funk jazz with optional digitally distorted'echoes' providing added aural confusion at the points of climax.Although composed as a substantial concert work Torsion would also make a challenging test-piece for contesting brass bands in the elite divisions.

for Solo Euphonium and Brass Band-Pieces that showcase the euphonium are few and far between. André Waignein decided to change this and set out to compose a piece specifically for the euphonium.What makes this composition even more unusual is that he wrote the piece in the style of a ragtime. Euphonium Ragtime provides an exciting and entertaining solo opportunity your audiences will love!

In search of 'La Valse'-Winning Performance EBBC Lille 2016 Raveling Unraveling In Search of ‘La Valse’ was written for the Cory Band as their own-choice test piece for the 2016 European Brass Band Championships in Lille. The piece found its genesis in Sparke’s The Unknown Journey (2014) for concert band and the use of Ravel’s La Valse as a structural undercurrent to the original piece is an act of reverence. Sparke’s aim was to produce a work that is organic rather than episodic in nature. The composer’s view is that little in music does this better than La Valse and for this reason he uses various sections of this masterpiece both manipulated and quoted verbatim (including much of itsstunningclosing passages) to provide the overall geography of his new work. As the music progresses more of the Ravel appears surfacing completely as the piece reaches its climax - a gesture of homage to the French master.

Sketches from Nowhere is the second composition that Thomas Doss has written for brass band. The title was inspired by various images the composer saw in his mind’s eye while working on this piece: pictures of foreign places; pictures of the creationof our world. The main motif that weaves its way from the beginning to the end of the work is meant to parallel humanity’s great evolution: from its humble beginnings as mere stardust to the present day.

As in the famous 'Take Five' Brubeck enjoyed playing with time signatures that most people would find unfamiliar. The reason for the title of this piece is obvious when one notices that it is in 7/4 time! This arrangement for Brass Band is by Mark Freeh and includes the Score and all parts. It would be suitable for a good secondary school band.

The Battle on the Heath-Thyellene depicts of a battle that took place on the ‘Tielenheide’ - a stretch of moorland near the Belgian village of Tielen in 1597. In that memorable battle Prince Maurice of Nassau commander of the Dutch army defeated Count Varax a general of the Spanish army - with a considerably smaller troop than the enemy. This great heroic subject has been transformed into this equally great work for brass band which won the third prize at the 2009 European Composers Competition.

London Brass Band Series-Leslie Pearson's Christmas Is Coming scored for 3 Trumpets 3 Trombones Tuba 2 Percussion Organ and Keyboard. 'When I set out to arrange traditional Christmas carols I was determined that they should not be yet another run-of-the-mill strophic verse-by-verse version of our Christmas heritage. I have tried to treat each carol in the collection as the basis for a Petite Fantasie - a continuous single-movement of variations on the original tune. Of course the carol is heard in its traditional form at some point during the arrangement but hopefully its appeal is enhanced without destroying the traditional concept. Inparticular White Christmas Silent Night and the middle sections of Hark the Herald and Christmas is Coming have the soft 'lush' treatment. Christmas is Coming has a humorous opening and a 'Noblimente' end. The collection is in all a delightful mixture of musical styles through the ages.' Leslie Pearson

Benjamin Britten composed his Occasional Overture Op.38 for the opening of the BBC Third Programme on 29th September 1946 when it was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult. It was not heard again until 1982 when the composer’s Executors decided that it should be revived. Given the dominance of brass and woodwind in this concise but exciting work versions for brass band and wind band have been prepared for Britten’s centenary year. Brass Band Grade 6: Championship. Duration: 8 Minutes.

Brass Cinema is a work containing many extremely descriptive melodies and atmospheres inspired by the fascinating world of film music. It was commissioned by the Swiss Brass Band 13 Etoiles to celebrate their 30th anniversary and is a cinematic masterpiece that will be loved by both performers and audience alike.

For Brass Quartet-The American composer George Gershwin (1898-1937) wrote the energetic song I Got Rhythm with lyrics by his brother Ira Gershwin in 1930 for the musical Girl Crazy. The story of Girl Crazy takes place in the theatre world of the 1930s. The Gaiety Theater in Deadrock Nevada is practically bankrupt but the rich banker’s son Bobby Child turns things around. His passion for the theatre leads to the customary love vicissitudes and comical intricacies - and a new successful show. I Got Rhythm now a jazz standard has been performed over the years by numerous famous and not-so-famous artists. The chord scheme has become so well-known that it hasbeen named rhythm changes and is often used by jazz musicians.