for Flugel Horn and Brass Band-'Ive been arguably credited with having written some 300 songs 299 of which enjoyed a rather bumpy ride from relative obscurity to total oblivion. Heres the other one.' These are the words of the great Jazz pianist and composer George Shearing about his hit of the century Lullaby of Birdland.The list of famous artists who performed this Jazz standard runs from From Ella Fitzgerald to Amy Winehouse. Gilbert Tinner wrote this arrangement for Brass Band preserving the distinctive George Shearing Sound.

for Eb Horn and Brass Band-Sunday in the Park was written for tenor horn virtuoso Sheona White and commissioned by her partner Matt Wade as a Christmas present.Composer Philip Sparke had known and admired Sheona’s playing for many years having produced her first solo CD and written pieces for her previously.Both composer and performer are huge fans of the late Karen Carpenter Sheona in part modelling her sound on the singer’s sultry voice; so it was decided that this new solo would be a piece which whilst not being a ‘Carpenters’ pastiche paid tribute to their relaxed style and rich harmonic language. Sunday in the Park openswith an accompanied cadenza for the soloist which leads to a gentle rhythmic melody with a laid-back feel. This is taken up by the band but the soloist sparks a change of mood by introducing a faster light rock interlude. This reaches a climax at which point the music unwinds until the original mood returns.A variation on the original melody leads to a short cadenza from the soloist which brings the work to a peaceful close.

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 .

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

Work for 2 Trumpets 2 Horns and 2 Trombones premiered in the Museum of Scotland in 1998 by members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Maxwell Davies has relished incorporating brilliant tuckets and alarms for brass in his larger-scale scores too much to write a perfunctory fanfare; a seminal influence was the statue of St. Michael on the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome where he studied in the late 1950s generator of high trumpet fanfares throughout his output which resurface in apocalyptic style towards the end of his orchestral work Roma Amor. Score available: CH61567

Fanfare and Celebration was commissioned by the Brass Band of the Western Reserve (Dr Keith M. Wilkinson director) to celebrate their 15th anniversary. Based in north-west Ohio the band was formed in 1997 and was competing in the Championship Section of the North American Brass Band Championships in less than three years. The first performance of Fanfare and Celebration took place in Akron Ohio on November 10th 2012.The opening Fanfare features the cornet section in two groups standing either side of the band. A central horn theme brings a change of mood before the cornets take the lead once more. Celebration follows seamlessly andcontinues the declamatory style until a cantando theme in uneven meter is introduced. A transformed recapitulation ushers in a return of the Fanfare to close the work.

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

En 2007 Philip Sparke est nommé compositeur en résidence à l?établissement scolaire de Monmouth (Monmouth School) bourgade historique sur la frontière Angleterre/Pays de Galles. L?école puise dans un passé prestigieux qui remonte à 1614. Elle dispose d?un département de musique particulièrement actif qui peut s?enorgueillir de posséder deux Orchestres d?Harmonie en collaboration avec l?école des filles Haberdashers? Monmouth School for Girls et un Brass Band.Cette résidence passionnante et innovante a donné lieu à trois rencontres (entre le compositeurs et élèves) et à trois commandes d?œuvres une pour chaque formation. La création des œuvres a eu lieu dans lecadre du concert de fin d?année.Almshouse Street Blues est la pièce que Philip Sparke a composée pour le Brass Band dont les membres ont eux-mêmes choisi le style. L?établissement scolaire de Monmouth est situé dans Almshouse Street (Rue Almshouse). La ville de Monmouth accueille chaque année un festival d?été dynamique et créatif qui rassemble entre autres des groupes de blues mais propose également un large éventail de styles musicaux tels que le jazz la soul le rock et le bhangra.

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

In 1942 five students and one professor at the University of Munich formed a clandestine resistance movement known as ?The White Rose.? Over the span of nine months The White Rose published and widely distributed six anti-Nazi leaflets calling on the German people to awaken their senses and resist. All members of The White Rose were caught and swiftly executed in 1943 but they remain iconic and cherished figures in Germany today. This Elegy is a reflection of their courage.

Infernal Ride is mercurial and virtuosic reflecting the mad-cap chase of Ichabod Crane’s final ride on his horse Gunpowder in the story by Washington Irving namely The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Often an atmosphere of driven fear pushes the music forward only briefly stopping for breath. The work closes with flourishes in rapid succession perhaps with the hapless Ichabod meeting his unfortunate end! Brass Band Grade 5: 1st Section Duration: 7 minutes.Infernal Ride has been recorded by the Leyland Band conducted by Jason Katsikaris and is available on the CDPenlee.             

Infernal Ride is mercurial and virtuosic reflecting the mad-cap chase of Ichabod Crane’s final ride on his horse Gunpowder in the story by Washington Irving namely The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Often an atmosphere of driven fear pushes the music forward only briefly stopping for breath. The work closes with flourishes in rapid succession perhaps with the hapless Ichabod meeting his unfortunate end! Brass Band Grade 5: 1st Section Duration: 7 minutes.Infernal Ride has been recorded by the Leyland Band conducted by Jason Katsikaris and is available on the CDPenlee. 

In Memoriam Dr. Klaus Brandstätter-Sunset Serenade est un hommage du compositeur à un collégue musicien qui perdit la vie de maniére inattendue. Malgré les tristes circonstances de sa création Sunset Serenade refléte essentiellement des souvenirsheureux et un sentiment de gratitude pour les bons moments passés ensemble et les expériences partagées. Le caractére généralement tranquille de cette ?uvre symbolise l'acceptation de la nature éphémére des êtres humains.

The Netherlands have been an important trading nation for a long time – partly as a result of their geographical situation. One of the first multinationals in The Netherlands was the ‘Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie’ (VOC). The aim of the VOC was to send ships to Asia in order to buy pepper and spices and to take over the Portuguese monopoly in this field. The Company was successful. An era of great prosperity resulted in which the art of painting (Rembrandt van Rijn) as well as science (Constantijn Huygens) flourished alongside a thriving economy. 1. The Sails are set : There is a lot of hustle and bustle on the quay. The crew are preparing fordeparture. Goodbyes are said and once the sails have been hoisted the ship sets out to sea.2. A Visit to the Rajah of Yogyakarta: After a voyage of many months the place of destination is reached. A visit to the Radja the king of the area around Yokyakarta follows. The dishes and beverages and the native culture in general are very pleasant after having been on a diet of ship’s biscuit and water for such a long time.3. The Holds have been loaded: The holds have been loaded to the brim and the voyage home can be begin!4. Death sails along: Life at sea is rough. not seldom did a sailor die of a tropical disease or scurvy. After a memorial service the Captain would speak the words ‘One two three in God’s name ...’ and the body wrapped in canvas would be committed to the sea.5. A joyful homecoming: After many months of hardship coming home is perhaps the best part of the entire voyage. The quay is filled with people eager to give the crew a warm welcome.