Break-Dance is an obvious next of kin to the two Clarinet trios Vox In Rama and Tattoo For Three. This piece however combines the roaring despair of the first trio with the twisted rhythmical display of the latter. The title of course is a reference to the modern street-dance electric boogie but the very music itself takes the naming most literally indeed: formally and rhythmically after a straightforward head-on opening it breaks into isolated jagged fragments winding up in a bouncing piano cadenza. Albeit not an obvious piano concerto the piano part hovers in the front line the same way the horizontal guy ringing himself on the pavement is doubtless aneye-catcher to passers-by. The springy 'body-language' that kicks off the piece suddenly stiffens and freezes into hard-edged blocks and the real 'dance of breaks' emerges into focus. Break-dance is commissioned by and dedicated to Yvar Mikhashoff and Spectrum. Arranged for 2 Trumpets 3 Trombones and Piano.

A Masque (short for Masquerade) has been defined by Historians as 'A revel in which Mummers or masked folk come with torches blazing into the festive hall and call upon the company to dance and dice'. The chaos of this dramatic dance is depicted in this 'Masque' by Hesketh. The main theme is bravura and is often present in the background. The form of the piece is a simple scherzo-trio-scherzo. Colourful scoring (upper wind solos trumpet and horn solos alternating with full bodied tuttis) with a dash of wildness may tease both player and listener to let their hair down a little! 'Masque' has been transcribed for wind band by Kenneth Hesketh from his 'Scherzo for Orchestra' commissioned by the National Children's Orchestra in 1987.

Arsenal was composed for the 50th anniversary of the ‘Harmonie van het Spoorwegarsenaal’[railroad arsenal] based in Mechelen (Belgium). Rather a stately concert march it has beautiful themes and a broad melody in the trio. It was premiered in the Mechelen Cultural Center on the 11th of May 1996 during the solemn ceremony opening the anniversary year and conducted by the composer. In the mean time Arsenal has been recorded several times by such renowed performers like the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra the Black Dyke BB etc.

Minerva by Jan Van der Roost was composed on the commission of the German ?Musikverein Braunshausen? on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the orchestra. The composition first performed on September 17 1999 is not a street march but a concert march just like Mercury and Arsenal. The use and variation of different rhythmic patterns gives the first part of this march a distinctly dynamic character. Two main themes are presented in several instrumental combinations. The theme from the trio on the other hand is characterized by a broad melodic approach using large intervals. This theme wreathed by high woodwinds is heard one more time after a contrasting newpart but now in a somewhat slower tempo. The counterpoint in this part refers to the first part of the march. The brilliant ending suits a festive anniversary march!