Excuse me may I play along? Could you step aside please? ‘Step Aside’ is a pleasant competition both between two tempi and among the different parts. After a short slow introduction it is the drummer who without asking the questions above sets the high pace. As soon as this rapid movement has been established ‘part 1’ takes the lead but the other parts obviously don’t want to miss a thing and follow in rapid succession. At the end of the composition the various parts ‘compete’ in order to be able to play solo for a while but soon others join in again asking ‘Excuse me may I play along?’

In this composition the composer gives an impression of the village square where all the young people gather. In four movements he takes us along to his home town: 1. Folkdance - Moments of happiness freedom from worries and optimism 2. Sunday Afternoon - a musical picture of a quiet day 3. Hide 'n Seek - time for sports and games 4. Saturday Night Fever - the sounds of a Saturday can also be heard on the square

The Yiddish word ‘Klezmer’ has been derived from the Old Hebrew words ‘Kley’ (tool instrument) and ‘Zemer’ (song singing making music).Klezmer is the traditional music of Jews from Eastern Europe.Yiddish musicians (Klezmorim) were regularly invited to come and play at Yiddish weddings as well as several other Jewish celebrations and festive occasions. Despite its close connection with traditional Eastern European folk music Klezmer music has succeeded in preserving its distinctive Jewish character. ‘Klezmer Discovery’ is a voyage of discovery through the richly varied music of the Jewish people from Eastern Europe.The introduction consists of a number of motives from differenttraditional melodies (a Mitzve Tenzel and L’cha Dodi) followed by a melody in 3/8th time (Kandel’s Hora). This dance melody originally came from Bessarabia (present-day Moldavia) and was taken along to America by Jewish musicians round 1900. Subsequently ‘Der Terk in Amerika’ a composition by famous clarinet player Naftule Brandwein can be heard. A number of fast cheerful dance melodies (bulgars) form the finale of ‘Klezmer Discovery’ (Lebedyk un Freylekh Lomir sich iberbetn and Sherele).

Commissioned by the acclaimed Midwest Clinic in 2005 this exciting work by Samuel Hazo demonstrates the composer's continued fresh approach and unique vision for wind bands. Scored for brass and percussion with woodwind playerscontributing East African chant/singing along with egg shakers this composition is a tribute to the memory of Rosa Parks and her struggles on behalf of civil rights more than 50 years ago. An auxiliary set of woodwind parts isnow available allowing this dramatic music to be performed by a traditional symphonic band instrumentation. Dur: 4:00

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.

In the 1970s Elvis Presley gave many concerts with an orchestra that included a large wind and brass section. These concerts were characterised by enthusiasm and a fast tempo. Suspicious Minds was an up-tempo song in which the drummer played a particularly important role. This arrangement features a relatively calm central section followed by a closing section which will have the audience rocking along!

In this composition Jacob de Haan sees the 'Ross Roy' as a metaphor for the years spent at school (a monument in time) where one's personality is formed. So the opening theme the artist calls the Ross Roy theme initially has monumental characteristics.The rhythmic motion which strides along in the lower register and percussion at the beginning of the next section is typical of 'Tempo di Marcia'. This movement accompanied by repetitions of sound is a metaphor for the structure and discipline in school. This is the introduction to a march theme symbolic of 'passing through' the classes up to the final examinations.Then the Ross Roy theme is dealt with again now in aplayful humorous variation. As if the composer is saying there should also be time for a smile in school. The same theme can be heard in major key and a slower tempo in the following section expressing pride and self-confidence. This is also the introduction to the expressive middle section that represents love friendship and understanding.We then return to the march theme in a slightly altered construction. The oriental sounds constituting the modulation to the final theme are symbols of the diversity of cultures in the school. The characteristic final theme first sounds solemn but turns into a festive apotheosis. It is no coincidence that the final cadence is reminiscent of the close to a traditional overture for the school years can be considered the 'overture' to the rest of one's life.

In ‘Land of Legends’ German composer Andreas Ludwig (what’s in a name) Schulte takes you along to the fictional world of legends myths and fairy tales. The introduction to the first part (The Castle) describes the majestic contours of the scene of action. Its instrumentation (horns) immediately makes you imagine being in Medieval spheres. The addition of trenchant copper instruments even gives the part a heroic tinge. After entering through the gate a lot of hustle and bustle appears to be going on in the courtyard. Pages squires and soldiers are busy attending to their arms. Beer is being brewed flax is being spun cattle are being tended and some craftsmen fromneighbouring villages are busily at work. In the upper chamber of the round tower lives an old man (The Old Wizard). He hardly ever comes out and nobody knows exactly what he is doing. It is said that he is engaged in wizardry and magic. It is all very mysterious. There are also festivities some of them sober others exuberant. The wedding in the third part is celebrated in a grand manner. With a flourish of trumpets the bride makes her entrance at the hand of her father. Afterwards at the party there is dancing to the music played by minstrels and of course a plentiful banquet follows.

Felix-Alexandre Guilmant-Amédée (Boulogne-sur-Mer March 12 1837 - Meudon March 29 1911) was a French composer and organist. Like many other composers he was very talented on a young age he was 12 years when he was playing organ smoothly. He studied with Lemmens with Charles-Marie Widor and Gigout. Between 1871 and 1901 he the leading man in the Paris organ scenery along with his fellow students later on he teached at the Paris Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique inter alia Joseph Bonnet and Marcel Dupre. Known are his organ sonatas which are equivalent to the famous organ symphonies of Widor. His work was very popular. Also knownunder the title Morceau Symphonique Opus 88.

From the blockbuster movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi, John Williams continues to display his mastery of music for film. This dynamic medley includes poignant new themes along with familiar older melodies as some of our favorite characters return for this episode.