If there is one country whose music everyone can recognize it is China. Both the pentatonic patterns and the atmosphere will take you there. And Peking Duck is a delicacy that you simply must try!

The composer:1st movement: Reflections by the Fjord.Overlooking one of the mighty fjords of Norway my mind and thoughts are with an old religious Norwegian folk-tune with words by the famous parson Peter Dass.The majestic fanfare-likeopening reflects the power of God our Father the choral itself heard for the first time on flugelhorn. The choral is repeated a few times separated only by some short variations. The movement ends in thriumph with fanfares and the choral broughttogether.2nd movement: Reflections in the Old Church.In this movement my associations of a summer day finding myself alone in an old deserted stone church. From the old walls I hear folk songs perhaps like the ones sung in the church bypoor fishermen and farmers in days gone by. Suddenly the light from the sun breakes through the small circular window above the altar and a lovely melody is heard before the original figures take us to the end of the movement.3rd movement:Festive Reflections.Any festive occasion can be reflected in this movement. from the bonfire at midsummer-night to the children celebrating the return of the sun in the northern part of Norway. from the traditional sleigh-riding at Christmas tothe Celebrations of the National Day on the 17th of May each year.

Bring the house down with Jerry Bensman's sparkling Footprints. Everyone is or at least feels important in this simple but very effective march which works equally well on stage as on parade. Often a march does not have to be difficult to possess a thorougly pleasing 'full' sound. In understanding this Jerry Bensman added a valuable repertoire-piece to the music available for youth-bands. In performing Footprints your beginning bandsmen take a major step forward in advancing their budding musical careers. Tip: Put the spotlights on your cymbals-player and make him (or her) the star of the evening.

...some moments for Ludwig van...-Sweet echoes of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in the introduction bring a gentle slumber. Breathing is calm and sleep holds the promise of rest and relaxation.With the onset of the REM sleep phase however in which most dreams take place and where the day’s events are worked through we hear other sounds played.With distorted sounds reminiscent of an old gramophone the music pulls the listener inevitably ever deeper into the dreamscape in a very realistic dangerous situation that comes to a dramatic head. It triggers a desperate struggle between theimpulse to awaken and the exhausting urge to flee. For a short moment it seems as if the wakeful urge has won out before dream’s powerful spell is again cast and there’s no escape…

Lyonesse was commissioned by the Brass Band Heritage Trust as the test piece for the Finals of the National Youth Brass Band Championships held in Manchester in April 2005. This atmospheric music ideal as a test piece for First and Second section bands takes its inspiration from the lost kingdom of Lyonesse the mythical spur of land linking Cornwall and the Scilly Isles and its associated legend of Tristan and Isolde. Brass Band Grade 5: 1st Section Duration: 13 minutes

South Down Pictures was commissioned by Millenium Brass 2000 an organisation comprising three brass bands from the county of Sussex England.The bands (Patcham Silver Hangleton and Brighton Silver) had got together to organise many events to mark the new millennium and these culminated in a concert in Hove Town Hall on July 9th 2000 when all three bands combined to give the first performance of South Down Pictures. The composer spent much of his childhood amongst the South Downs a range of hills in Sussex which runs parallel to the sea.Opening with a strong unison passage interrupted briefly by faster figures based on the interval of a fifth South Down Picturesdevelops with an often-passionate legato melody. Reaching a climax this is then followed by the main vivo section of the work whose main theme is based on the earlier ‘fifth’ figures. A bridge passage leads to a short chorale figure and a rhythmic climax which dissolves into a plaintive cornet solo over staccato chords. This theme is taken up by the whole band and leads back to a recapitulation of the main theme and earlier material. The cornet tune returns triumphantly in the major key before the opening unison passage reappears to provide a stirring coda.

South Down Pictures was commissioned by Millenium Brass 2000 an organisation comprising three brass bands from the county of Sussex England.The bands (Patcham Silver Hangleton and Brighton Silver) had got together to organise many events to mark the new millennium and these culminated in a concert in Hove Town Hall on July 9th 2000 when all three bands combined to give the first performance of South Down Pictures. The composer spent much of his childhood amongst the South Downs a range of hills in Sussex which runs parallel to the sea.Opening with a strong unison passage interrupted briefly by faster figures based on the interval of a fifth South Down Picturesdevelops with an often-passionate legato melody. Reaching a climax this is then followed by the main vivo section of the work whose main theme is based on the earlier ‘fifth’ figures. A bridge passage leads to a short chorale figure and a rhythmic climax which dissolves into a plaintive cornet solo over staccato chords. This theme is taken up by the whole band and leads back to a recapitulation of the main theme and earlier material. The cornet tune returns triumphantly in the major key before the opening unison passage reappears to provide a stirring coda.

Andrew Duncan has taken some key themes from the shown Grease! and made this fine brass band arrangement. Brass Band Grade 4: Advanced Youth and 3rd Section Duration: 4 minutes

And When the River Told was commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association for the Scottish Open Championship held on 20th November 2012 at the Perth Concert Hall. This colourful work takes one of Scotland’s great rivers the Tay as its subject. Brass Band Grade 6: Championship. Duration: 13 Minutes. 

40 Progressive Duets for Trombones or Euphoniums BC-Philip Sparke’s Skilful Duets is the second volume of a progressive series of duet books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Following on from the first book in the series (Starter Duets) this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Duets introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrument ranges; the concept of tempo and style indications is also introduced. Skilful Duets provides invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method.

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.

Few operas have had such a remarkable history as Mussorgsky’s masterpiece Boris Godunov. It exists in no less than three complete versions by the composer himself as well as posthumous editions and orchestrations by Rimsky-Korsakov (from which this arrangement is taken) Shostakovich and others.The Coronation Scene is set in the Square of the Moscow Kremlin between the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Cathedral of Archangel Michael the year is 1598. After being crowned as Tsar Boris Godunov acknowledges the people’s acclamations and the bells of the two cathedrals as well as many churches within the vicinity can beheard ringing out across St Petersburg.Available here is the score for Mussorgsky’s Coronation Scene (Boris Godunov) as arranged for Brass Band by Phillip Littlemore.

From 'Rocky'-This is best known as the theme from Rocky the 1997 smash hit for composer conductor and Oscar winner Bill Conti. The Italian composer Lorenzo Bocci has taken this exciting piece and made it accessible for brass bands.

One of the most popular theme songs of all time. Love of a Princess is taken from Mel Gibson’s epic film Braveheart. Brass Band Grade 3/4: Youth and 4th Section/Advanced Youth and 3rd Section Duration: 4 minutes