Score and Parts-The prolific American composer brings us this exciting new piece for Brass Quintet from the original film score The Plow that Broke The Plains.

Quelle est cette odeur agreable-‘Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?’ is the first line of an old French Christmas song that originated in the 17th century. In 1728 John Gay used this joyous and markedly festive melody that honours Jesus Christ and His miraculous birth in his Beggar’s Opera. Philip Sparke has given this melody a new lease of life with his charming and imaginative arrangement for the Christmas season.

?Play that funky Music? est un éternel classique qui depuis son premier succès dans les années septante est encore souvent interprété et diffusé. Le groove grisant et entraînant garantit une ambiance torride. L?ambiance n?atteint réellement son paroxysme que quand l?orchestre maîtrise bien le groove. A la fin tout le monde - lisez tout ceux qui ne jouent pas d?un instrument à vent - peuvent accompagner en chantant.

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

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.

Why not try something different with your brassband? Rough Mix is a poprock tune that incorporates elements of punk and alternative rock. It contains optionalparts for two electric guitars and synthesizer. With or withoutthe optional parts this is a solid and fun arrangementthat will have particular appeal for young musicians and audiences.

Worship Hymns for Organ and Brass-Worship Hymns for Organ and Brass is a series with remarkable versatility. The arrangements are for organ with solo trumpet or brass ensemble and percussion. All parts are upper intermediate level with optional high notes for trumpets and horn. While the parts are not demanding they have a level of artistry that is compelling to all of the performers involved. Instrumental options with organ include: solo trumpet brass trio (2 trumpets and 1st trombone) brass quartet (2 trumpets and 2 trombones OR 1st trombone and tuba) brass quintet (All but horn 2nd trombone or tuba) and brass sextet. Versatile and regal perfect for the most triumphant season of the year.

Worship Hymns for Organ and Brass-Worship Hymns for Organ and Brass is a new series with remarkable versatility. The arrangements are for organ with solo trumpet or brass ensemble and percussion. All parts are upper intermediate level with optional high notes for trumpets and horn. While the parts are not demanding they have a level of artistry that is compelling to all of the performers involved. Instrumental options with organ include: Solo Trumpet; Brass Trio (2 Trumpets and 1st Trombone); Brass Quartet (2 Trumpets and 2 Trombones OR 1st Trombone and Tuba); Brass Quintet (All but Horn 2nd Trombone or Tuba); and Brass Sextet. Versatile and jubilant perfect for the most joyful season of the year.

Musaic (1969) by Per NørgÃ¥rd - for Brass Ensemble and Electronics. Instr: 5 Cornets 3 Trombones and Electronics Progamme Note Among my compositions for brass band three (“Backlight” “Massifs” - crystals - cascades” “Musaic”) all belong to a three-dimensional space. Thus “Massifs - crystals - cascades” was proclaimed from a mountainside towards the audience in the Norwegian town Tromsø and “Backlight” to the special room of the new concert hall at The Music Conservatory of Jutland Denmark.  “Musaic” was composed in 1969 for the inauguration of Edition Wilhelm Hansen’s new branch in Ã…rhus Jutland. Short movements for brass were intermittently heard on the street. In the concert hall all the movements were however heard - also the ones already played; by means of a continuous tape individual fragments of the ´street music´ were gradually collected into one concluding uninterrupted piece lasting all in all 10 minutes a mus(a)ic/muza(i)k…  A synthesis can be heard on a CD from 2007 (by the Brass Ensemble of The Royal Danish Conservatory Jutland) with the note that the work might be much longer when performed live.  Per NørgÃ¥rd (2007)   

The Dreaded Groove and Hook is an up-tempo acid-jazz number that draws inspiration from bands like Jamiroquai and The Youngblood Brass Band. The groove in question is the main tune that is shared round the band whilst the hook in ‘pop’ terms is the catchy bit of the song. The whole band joins in to play a huge ‘riff’ that acts as a chorus to the jazz-like verses. The piece was commissioned by Jason Katsikaris and The Leyland Band who gave the first performance as part of their programme for the Brass In Concert Championships held at The Sage Gateshead on the 16th November 2008. The work has subsequently recorded by thesame band and conductor on the CD entitled Penlee . Brass Band Grade 5: 1st Section   Duration: 4 minutes

Transcribed by popular brass arranger Robert King this edition of Giovanni Gabrieli's Canzon septimi toni No. 1 provides an exciting performance piece for a large Brass Ensemble. Being one of the most influential musicians during the shift from the Renaissance to the Baroque era it is no secret that the composer leaned himself primarily to vocal and sacred works. However his Canzon septimi toni No. 1 represents an important turn not only in the composer's career but in musical history. Composed in 1597 this piece paved the way to what would soon become the new Baroque concerto style which remains popular to thisday. King's arrangement of this historical work is indispensable for Brass Ensembles.