SKU: BT.DHP-1196115-020

English-German-French-Dutch.

Hora Est! (Latin for ‘it is time!’) was composed to bid adieu to Sjoerd de Boer’s following forty years as conductor of the Chr. Fanfare Band, based in the town of Wjelsryp in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, this small phrase, hora est, is traditionally said upon awarding a university doctorate at graduation ceremonies. The composition was written with Sjoerd de Boer firmly in mind, mirroring various aspects of his life. The main motif of the work consists of three notes, forming his initials: S (Eb) D B. At a certain point, the music is interrupted by a thunderstorm and heavy rain (forever a bad omen: the debut for this work took place a day after such a deluge, but fortunately their open-air concert was met with clear blue skies.) The fanfare then plays an Italianesque march, with the motif of de Boer’s initials interwoven throughout. The work re-uses this motif twice towards the end of the piece as one might expect, by the saxophones to create a festive, driven and virtuosic atmosphere. Finally, the work comes to an end with the initials motif played across the ensemble in complete unison. The powerful closing chords symbolise a fond farewell to de Boer: a driven and extremely capable conductor whose musical mark on Concordia will be felt for years to come. Hora Est! is suitable as a contest piece and would be a definite highlight for any upcoming concert.

Hora Est! is gecomponeerd ter gelegenheid van het afscheid van Sjoerd de Boer als dirigent van Chr. Fanfarekorps Concordia uit Wjelsryp (Friesland), na maar liefst veertig jaar. Hora Est! is Latijn voor ‘Het is tijd!’. Het zinnetje wordt traditioneel uitgesproken bij een promotie tot doctor op de universiteit, op het moment dat de vastgestelde tijd voor verdediging van het proefschrift om is. De pedel komt dan binnen en stampt met zijn staf op de grond terwijl hij deze woorden roept. In dat opzicht verwijst de titel naar de voormalige universiteitsstad Franeker, de woonplaats van Sjoerd en de stad waar hij jaren lang leraar muziek was aan de christelijke scholengemeenschap. Anderzijds verwijst de titel naar zijn afscheid van Concordia: ‘Het is tijd!’.

SKU: BT.CMP-0510-01-020

Accessible even to particularly advanced Jr. High bands or honor groups, James Curnow’s brilliant fanfare and treatment of Renaissance composer Tylman Susato’s RONDO is truly a jubilant musical expression. What a terrific way to energize a concert or conclude a graduation ceremony!FANFARE AND JUBILOSO is dedicated to Harry Begian, the world renowned and highly respected American music educator and conductor, and is a creative exploration of joyous energy.Investigating those intriguing Renaissance harmonic concepts, this celebratory offering will be a fresh and vigorous addition to your concert repertoire!