Arr. Philip Sparke. Par REGER MAX. During his short lifetime Max Reger (1873-1916) was a prolific composer with many of his best known works being composed for organ. The ten chorale preludes in this selection are from his set of Thirty Short Chorale Preludes Op. 135a composed as short voluntaries for liturgical use rather than for recitals in these arrangements Philip Sparke has kept this in mind and each prelude can be performed with minimal instrumentation for those occasions where a small band is needed. They also make great pieces for band warm-ups or studies in intonation, sound and balance. / Niveau : 2.5 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Fanfare

To conclude our Godzilla show, Mike Story opens with a powerful theme that gives way to a short trumpet solo, followed by a quiet section featuring wistful chords in the woodwinds and mallets. This quickly builds to the heroic final theme, which in turn builds in intensity to bring the show to a stunning conclusion. / Marching Band

Par SPARKE PHILIP. The birth of Philip Sparke’s second son, Benjamin, was the inspiration for composing Ballad for Benny. A short calm introduction leads to the main ballad theme, a gentle waltz melody. Following the work’s climax in which the complete band plays the main theme the sound fades and the piece ends in calm and serenity. / Niveau : 2.5 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par BLANKEN JOHN. John Blanken composed Intrada & Wilhelmus in 2002. The title speaks for itself. It's an introduction to the national anthem of The Netherlands; Wilhelmus. In this piece the national anthem is heared two times followed by a short postlude. / Niveau : 3 / Musique traditionnelle / Recueil / Fanfare

Praise to Thee, Jesus Christ. Gelobet seist du Jesu Christ (We Praise You Jesus Christ) is an old Christmas hymn dating from the 16th century, which can still be found in many hymnbooks today. John Blanken has created a varied and imaginative arrangement on four verses of the hymn. After the introduction, derived from the opening notes, the hymn is first accompanied by an agile harmonisation. Next, we hear the chorale in a four-part setting with a percussion accompaniment. Then follows a short prologue to the third verse and finally its time for fireworks as the arrangement takes a stylistic leap in time with the festive prelude to the fourth and last verse. / Niveau : 3 / Hymnes et chorals / Recueil / Fanfare

Par SCHWARZ OTTO M.. With this composition, Otto M. Schwarz shows himself totally capable of composing a work with a somber, almost melancholic character. Melody and counterpoint, accompanied by a peaceful harmony, play a kind of question and answer game in this short composition. The piece is written in a rather ABA form, with the perusiion complementing the whole very effectively. / Niveau : 2 / Musique légère originale / Répertoire / Fanfare

St. Michael. Par BOURGEOIS LOUIS. The French composer Louis Bourgeois lived from c. 1510 to 1560. Bourgeois was cantor in Geneva and, commissioned by John Calvin, he composed melodies for metrical (rhyming) versions of the psalms. After completing about a hundred one-part psalms, he made some four-part arrangements, which were denounced and even resulted in his imprisonment for a day. Later, Bourgeois published a number of psalm collections, and judging from his book Le droict chemin de musique he was also an excellent educator. The melodies Bourgeois composed, are (contrary to Gregorian chants) particularly suitable for community singing. This applies to his hymn tune Saint Michael, which is why this melody hasbeen used for various texts, written for many occasions. John Blanken made this arrangement for a wedding ceremony: an occasion in which faith and trust play a large - if not the largest - role. Hence the title Hymn of Faith. The arrangement contains four verses of the hymn. After a majestic opening the hymn follows twice, the second verse being embellished in the tenor register. After a short interlude verse three follows, played by a quartet. The majestic opening is then repeated as a modulation into the fourth verse, which concludes the work in a brilliant tutti. / Niveau : 3 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Fanfare

St. Michael. Par BOURGEOIS LOUIS. The French composer Louis Bourgeois lived from c. 1510 to 1560. Bourgeois was cantor in Geneva and, commissioned by John Calvin, he composed melodies for metrical (rhyming) versions of the psalms. After completing about a hundred one-part psalms, he made some four-part arrangements, which were denounced and even resulted in his imprisonment for a day. Later, Bourgeois published a number of psalm collections, and judging from his book Le droict chemin de musique he was also an excellent educator. The melodies Bourgeois composed, are (contrary to Gregorian chants) particularly suitable for community singing. This applies to his hymn tune Saint Michael, which is why this melody hasbeen used for various texts, written for many occasions. John Blanken made this arrangement for a wedding ceremony: an occasion in which faith and trust play a large - if not the largest - role. Hence the title Hymn of Faith. The arrangement contains four verses of the hymn. After a majestic opening the hymn follows twice, the second verse being embellished in the tenor register. After a short interlude verse three follows, played by a quartet. The majestic opening is then repeated as a modulation into the fourth verse, which concludes the work in a brilliant tutti. / Niveau : 3 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par SCHWARZ OTTO M.. With this composition, Otto M. Schwarz shows himself totally capable of composing a work with a somber, almost melancholic character. Melody and counterpoint, accompanied by a peaceful harmony, play a kind of question and answer game in this short composition. The piece is written in a rather ABA form, with the perusiion complementing the whole very effectively. / Niveau : 2 / Musique légère originale / Répertoire / Fanfare

Praise to Thee, Jesus Christ. Gelobet seist du Jesu Christ (We Praise You Jesus Christ) is an old Christmas hymn dating from the 16th century, which can still be found in many hymnbooks today. John Blanken has created a varied and imaginative arrangement on four verses of the hymn. After the introduction, derived from the opening notes, the hymn is first accompanied by an agile harmonisation. Next, we hear the chorale in a four-part setting with a percussion accompaniment. Then follows a short prologue to the third verse and finally its time for fireworks as the arrangement takes a stylistic leap in time with the festive prelude to the fourth and last verse. / Niveau : 3 / Hymnes et chorals / Recueil / Fanfare