A march full of atmosphere in the Italian style. Verdi would be jealous.Full recording : Introducing the Fanfareband

from Symphony No. 1 - The Lord of the Rings. Johan de Meij?s first symphony The Lord of the Rings is based on the trilogy of that name by J.R.R. Tolkien. This book has fascinated many millions of readers since its publication in 1955. The symphony consists of five separate movements, each illustrating a personage or an important episode from the book. This transcription for brass band, arranged by the composer has the following movements: I. GANDALF (The Wizard), IV. JOURNEY IN THE DARK (The Mines of Moria and The Bridge of Khazad-Dûm), V. HOBBITS. The symphony was written in the period between March 1984 and December 1987, and had its première in Brussels on 15th March 1988, performed by the The Royal Band of the Belgian Guides under the baton of Norbert Nozy. In 1989, the symphony The Lord of the Rings was awarded a first prize in the Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition in Chicago, and a year later, the symphony was awarded a grant by the Dutch Composers Fund. In 2001, the orchestral version was premiered by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra.

Simon Dobson wrote his 'Four Sketches' at the request of Peter Bossano Head of Brass at the Royal College of Music in recognition of the 25th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s death. The first movement 'Fanfare' quotes directly from the opening violin melody from Britten’s song cycle Les Illuminations. This melodic line is superimposed upon sonorous Lydian mode chords to project a majestic sound. The second movement 'Prayer' is a definite contrast being and much more reflective and pensive in it’s mood and featuring a dream like euphonium cadenza. The third movement 'Funeral March' builds from a soft chordal opening to a chaotic and confusedfortississimo climax with flourishes in the cornets and pounding tri-tones across the basses before plunging into silence for a flugel cadenza to finish. The final Finale movement is much more positive from the off with its jaunty melodies over a Brittenesque ostinato. The block chordal passages offer a crashing climax making for an exciting conclusion to an excellent new work for the medium. Simon Dobson’s 'Four Sketches' was the winning entry in the European Brass Band Composer Competition held in Brussels in March 2002.

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire is the pivotal fourth novel in the seven-part tale of Harry Potter’s training as a wizard and his coming of age. This seven-minute suite for brass band includes the themes Harry In Winter The Quidditch World Cup Hogwarts’ Hymn Hogwarts’ March and The Death Of Cedric. Brass Band Grade 4: Advanced Youth and 3rd Section Duration: 7 minutes

Simon Dobson’s dynamic and unusual concert march Lock Horns/Rage On was commissioned by the Leyland Band and their conductor Jason Katsikaris and formed part of their programme for the Brass in Concert Championships held at The Sage Gateshead on 15th November 2009. Brass Band Grade 4/5: Premier Youth and 2nd Section Duration: 4 minutes

Bertrand Moren composed Alpine March for the Hochwaliser Musikfest in Blatten Switzerland in 2004. The march opens in a festive 6/8 time with lots of dynamic contrast and characteristic 6/8 rhythms. The Trio-section however is written in 2/4 time and is very lyrical. With a da capo this march written by the winner of last year’s European Brass Band Composition Contest is brought to a thrilling close.

John Williams: Epic Themes is a medley of John Williams favourites including Star Wars (Main Theme) March (1941) Imperial March (from Star Wars Episode V : The Empire Strikes Back) Olympic Spirit and Superman (Main Theme) arranged with the approval of the composer by Steve Sykes. Brass Band Grade 4: Advanced Youth and 3rd Section Duration: 9 minutes

Stephen Bullas highly descriptive work was written to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima which took place between the 19th February and 26th March 1945.Casualties on both the American and Japanese sides were horrendously high before the famous image of the raising of the flag on top of Mount Suribachi signalled the end of one of the most significant and terrifying Pacific conflicts of the SecondWorld War.The work received its first performance by the brass choir of the U.S. Marine Band at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and is divided into four programmatic sections.The first portrays the sense of anticipation before conflict (Prologue) before the arduous journey to the scene of the battle (Approach by Sea) is followed by introspection and prayer featuring the hymn tune Melita (Chorale Prayer) andfinally the hostile confrontation itself (Engagement).There are frequent references to the Marines Hymn and the US National Anthem particularly in the closing bars depicting the ultimate raising of the American flag.

‘Panem et Circenses’ Bread and Games were essential for keeping the citizens of ancient Rome in check. While the bread was meant for the poorest among the Romans the Games were Popular Pastime Number One for everybody.There were different kinds of games such as chariot races (especially popular with female spectators) or wild-beast fights where lions tigers bulls or bears were set on one another or even on human beings. Most popular however were the Gladiator fights. In ‘Bread and Games’ William Vean depicts one of the many fights in the antique Colosseum. 1. Entrance of the Gladiators: By powerful bugle-calls the attention of the peoplewas asked for after which the Gladiators entered the Arena at the sound of heroic marching-music.2.Swordfight: We can hear that the fights were not mere child’s play in this part.On the contrary they were a matter of life and death and were fought accordingly.3.Mercy of the Emperor: Sometimes a wounded gladiator could be fortunate depending on the mercy of the audience. Waving one’s handkerchief meant mercy a turned-down thumb meant no pardon. The Emperor had the right to take the final decision but he usually complied with the wish of the majority of the public. 4.Lap of Honour: Gladiators were mainly selected among slaves convicted criminals or prisoners of war. Consequently winning was very important as it would mean fame honour and sometimes even wealth. A lap of honour therefore was the winner’s due reward.

Studio-Pop est une pièce en cinq mouvements. 1. Marching on a String (?En marchant sur une corde?) est une marche aux inflexions de rock qui affirme un rythme dynamique et moderne. 2. Dreaming of Summer (?Rêves d?été?) est écrit dans un chiffrage de mesure assez inhabituel dans la musique pop la mesure à 3/4. 3. Chicken Charley est inspiré d?un souvenir de vacances sur la Côte d?Azur où le compositeur a été impressionné par un jeune Antillais vendeur de grillades de cuisses de poulet. La souplesse de ses mouvements transparaît dans la musique fortement dansante. 4. Candlelight (?À la lueur d?une bougie?) est une ballade gracieuse etmoderne qui pourrait servir de toile de fond à un dîner charmant. Les harmonisations sont passionnantes mais trouvent toujours leur résolution dans une atmosphère romantique. 5. Discoteca vous plonge dans la vie nocturne d?une discothèque espagnole. Les accords typiquement espagnols et le rythme exaltant créent un finale exubérant.

Rhapsody for Brass Band-The work Prevision has been composed in a free fantasy form. Deep in thought the composer sketches his prevision - the development of his small grandson growing up to be an adult. After a brilliant introduction a slow march follows which symbolises the first steps toward adulthood. Aspects such as love and a sense of security that are indispensable for a positive development are presented in a calm middle section after which an energetic closing part refers to the rebelliousness of an adolescent. The grand finale of Prevision expresses the grandfather’s and composer’s positive picture of the future.

This piece by Thierry Deleruyelle is based on one of the most significant events in the history of coal mining; the catastrophe at Courrières Northern France. It took place on 10th March 1906 and is considered the most momentous mining accident in Europe and the second most significant in the world. This work is both emotional and spectacular and tells in 7 contrasting sections the catastrophe that occurred. Fraternity was the test piece in the ?Champion? category at the European Brass Band Competition 2016 in Lille thus commemorating 110 years since the disaster at Courrières.