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.

Originally commissioned as the set test piece for Section B of the 2007 European Brass Band Championships The Drop was re-worked and extended as The Drop: Remixed for Leyland Band to perform at the 2008 RNCM Festival of Brass in Manchester. Ideal as a First Section brass band test piece The Drop: Remixed contains much tuneful and dance-based music and finishes with a massive drum ‘n ‘bass-inspired ending.Brass Band Grade 5: 1st Section Duration: 12 minutes       The work has subsequently been recorded by the Leyland Band conducted by Jason Katsikaris an is on the CDentitled Penlee .

‘Mixed Bag’ stands midway between a collection and a hotchpotch. It is a colourful compilation of four completely different pieces each with its own specific character. The first part is called ‘Tanguillo’ : as its name suggests this Spanish dance is related to the Tango. In the next part ‘Maybe next time ....’ a repeated bass line (Passacaglia) can be heard first solo but thereafter gradually the other instruments join in. The third part forms a huge contrast – did the former part have a Baroque atmosphere ‘Rock Hard’ seems to have come directly from the Rock ‘n Roll era reminding us of stars such as Bill Haley and Elvis Presley. The finale is acheerful inciting movement called ‘Gypsy Dance’.

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.

In ‘Latin Dance Party’ William Vean takes us along to sunny seemingly care-free places. Happy faces catchy music delicious drinks are images that come to mind when listening to this ‘feel good’ music which will either get you in a dreamy mood or make you want to step out onto the dance floor. To start we hear the first dance of Cuban origin 'Cha Cha Cha' cheerful romantic playful dance . The Cha Cha Cha is probably the most popular dance. Then we have the slower 'Bossa Nova' (new wave) a dance developed from the Samba rhythms with strong syncopation. We end with the 'Samba'. Samba is party. The samba is a mix of polka Cuban habanera and Africanrhythms born around 1910 in the slums of Rio de Janeiro and every year the leading dance during the exuberant carnival.

Antonin?s New World is an excellent piece of musical theatre featuring a comedy act for triangle soloist and band. The music itself does not sound comical being based on Anton Dvorak?s Symphony in E Minor (From the New World) but the right mix of seriousness and humour brings a surprising effect. With a bit of acting talent from your triangle soloist this interpretation of the well known classical melody will be a major hit. Whether you choose Antonin?s New World as a ?triangle solo? novelty piece or simply as a delightful adaptation of Dvorak?s immensely popular Ninth Symphony both the band and the audience will love it!

Dances and Alleluias was commissioned by the British Federation of Brass Bands for the inaugural English National Brass Band Championships held in the Lyric Theatre at The Lowry Salford Quays on July 1st 2006. In this fantastic work the composer mixes wonderful slow music vocal in nature and ecstatic in mood along with faster dances to create a challenging piece which will bring out the best in any band.

Dances and Alleluias was commissioned by the British Federation of Brass Bands for the inaugural English National Brass Band Championships held in the Lyric Theatre at The Lowry Salford Quays on July 1st 2006. In this fantastic work the composer mixes wonderful slow music vocal in nature and ecstatic in mood along with faster dances to create a challenging piece which will bring out the best in any band.

Michael Giacchino's soundtrack for the highly anticipated follow-up to 2009's Star Trek is dramatic and evocative. Using a mixture of familiar previous themes along with new material this medley for brass band brings the excitement and drama of the film to the concert stage.

Mary Poppins’ mixture of live action and animation together with the exceptional songs from Robert and Richard Sherman provides a thoroughly entertaining movie spectacle. Julie Andrews’s Oscar-winning performance as the title character is exceptional and Dick Van Dyke’s Bert the chimney sweep is equally stunning (despite that comical cockney accent). Andrew Duncan has put together a very enjoyable symphonic suite of music from the film including Chim chim cher-ee; Feed the Birds Let’s go Fly a Kite A Spoonful of Sugar Sister Suffragette and the inimitable Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!Brass Band Grade 4: Advanced Youth and 3rd Section Duration: 5 minutes 

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!

The musical Miss Saigon was a massive hit in London Broadway and throughout the world. Based on Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly this epic production centers on the romance between a strong-willed Vietnamese woman and an American soldier during the Vietnam War. The story tells of two young lovers torn apart by war yet still held together by a burning passion. This medley features three of the best songs from the musical and mixes desperate love with optimism and joy. Relive the hit show with this catchy medley.

What a way to open any concert. Fanfare and Flourishes is a spectacular short work that mixes all the pageantry of a military tattoo with the well-known Charpentier (1634-1705) Te Deum a tune everyone will recognise as the theme tune for the Eurovision Song Contest! A brilliant piece to start a concert with a bang!