Nigel Hess’ vivacious and colourful A Christmas Overture originally commissioned as an orchestral work by John Rutter for his 2007 Christmas Festival proved an instant success with audience and orchestra alike. Traditional carols skilfully juxtaposed and interwoven provide the thematic material. These include: Ding Dong! Merrily On High; Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant; Infant Holy Infant Lowly; Personent Hodie; We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Angels From The Realms Of Glory which brings the overture to a majestic close. Fragments of other carols appear along the way to enrich the texture of what is surely one of the mostattractive pieces written for the festive season. Brass Band Grade 4/5. Duration: 7 minutes 30 seconds

Pour réaliser cet arrangement pour ensemble à vent à instrumentation variable Henk Hogestein a choisi les lignes mélodiques des trois chants de Noël polonais Lulajze Jezuniu (?Dors petit Jésus dors?) Dzisiaj w Betlejem (?Aujourd?hui à Bethléem?) et Gdy sliczna panna (?La Vierge Marie berce son enfant?). Une variation de lumière pour un Noël polonais au charme authentique.

Arrangement: Parson Ted. Par PARSON TED. / Niveau : Difficile / Répertoire / Brass Band

Fanfare For Malcolm has been beautifully composed for 3 Trumpets and 3 Trombones by Toby Young. Specially commissioned for the 8th Malcolm Arnold Festival Toby Young's brilliant Fanfare catches both the wit and ceremony of the master's style.

Meditation on 'Quem Pastores Laudavere'-Carol of the Shepherds is based on the hymn tune 'Quem Pastores Laudavere' which dates back to the 14th century and is widely known throughout the Christian world. Although the melody has been set to a number of different texts in different countries it was originally a carol celebrating the Christmas story in particular the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the shepherds.