Par CONNERY BRIAN. Music for a Festival setzt mit einer kraftvollen, vom Blech und Schlagzeug gespielten Einleitung ein. Im wunderschönen, lyrischen Mittelteil bilden die breiten Melodien der Blechregister und die fließenden Umspielungen der Holzbläserstimmen ein harmonisches Ganzes. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Arr. Timothy Johnson. Par MOZART WOLFGANG AMADEUS. 'Melody is the very essence of music. ' -W. A. Mozart (1786)Mozart confirmed this view on melody by writing the Ave Verum Corpus near theend of his short life. Originally written for chorus, strings, and organ, this work standsamong the most beautiful musical expressions of all time. Timothy Johnson has skillfullymade Mozart's wondrous achievement available to concert bands. It's perfect forworship services and the sostenuto style, with careful attention to dynamics, makesit a great choice for that 'middle' spot at festival or for the more serious moment atany performance. Given the opportunity, young bands LOVE to play truly greatmusic, and it just doesn't getmuch better than the mastery of Mozart. / Niveau : 2 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Singapura Suite was commissioned by Singapore's Ministry of Education Extracurricular Activities Branch to serve as a compulsory piece for the 1999 Singapore Youth Festival. 'Singapura' is the original name of Singapore in Malay, the native language there. Because Singapore is one of the most important harbors in the world, this two-piece work opens with a seaman's dance. An authentic melody, Chan Mali Chan, is woven into the middle of this first part, whose ABA form becomes clear through the recapitulation of the seaman's dance in a somewhat altered form. Singapore is also a dynamic city-state alive with excitement, thus the second part begins with a fitting dance, a fastbourrée. As contrast there is a second authentic melody, Dayung Sampan, a more easygoing sailing song. This short but curious suite ends in high spirits with a recapitulation of the beginning. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par DE HAAN JAN. Aggression, despair, but also hope for peace can be clearly heard within this work. In Banja Luka Jan de Haan reflects aspects of the former Yugoslavia, stricken by a civil war which brought terrible suffering to the people of this area. Banja Luka was written for the International Horn Festival in Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par VAN BELCUM HENK. As the title suggests, this work is a partita: it consists of a number of variations on a chorale melody. The partita has been popular for centuries, especially when it comes to organ music. Henk van Belcum, who is active in the choir world, chose for his Partita Piccola the German hymn Wunderbarer König as a starting point. Partita Piccola consists of four variations and a choral setting. After a majestic opening fanfare, the second variation follows, based on a canon by Pachelbel. Händel’s Sarabande is the basis of the third variation. Next comes the chorale setting, after which the work ends festively with a dance that has been written in the form of a courante. PartitaPiccola is an asset for church services and for concert platforms. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par CURNOW JAMES. A wonderful teaching piece and the ideal young band festival work, BACH VARIANTS (six melodic variations on the Bach chorale AWAKE MY HEART AND SING) should be a staple of every young band library. Chorale style playing does so much for the young band's intonation, tone quality and phrasing. Including this one in your next festival program is certain to reap great rewards by honing your group's ability to make quality sound. Even bands which normally play music of higher grade levels will find a valuable experience in James Curnow's BACH VARIANTS. Be sure to add this one to your repertoire. / Niveau : 2 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Fanfare