Staying Alive starring John Travolta was a hit film in 1983. The music for this great film was written by different composers and the soundtrack was recorded by various well-known artists such as the Bee Gees. Frank Stallone (the brother of actor and director Sylvester Stallone) was also involved. He wrote the title song Far from Over. This song with its solid beat became a great success and was a number one hit practically all over the world. This arrangement for brass band is guaranteed to be a hit.

St. Michael-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.

Sbandiamo! is a joyous?and swinging?work, taking its title from the wind music event held annually in the medieval Italian city of Gubbio, Umbria in which various bands from all over Italy participate. The first performance of this piece was given at the Piazza Grande, Gubbio, under the baton of the composer himself, with a wind band of some 250 musicians. A stately introduction, with festive percussion, is followed by a catchy theme in alternating pop and march rhythms. The opening theme then returns as a marcia cantabile, and the work is brought to a grand and compelling conclusion.

Before his untimely death in 1988 Dutch composer Rogier van Otterloo became well-known for the film music he wrote to various successful Dutch movies. In this medley made by his youngest son Thijs van Otterloo the themes of Help de dokter verzuipt! (Help the Doctor Is Drowning! 1974) and Soldaat van Oranje (Soldier of Orange 1977) have been used as well as Esther (from Soldier of Orange). A fantastic trip into the field of world cinema music.

Easter Fantasy-Fantasia di Pasqua is a fantasy in which traditional Easter melodies have been used. The work is written for brass band with a separate brass quartet which since this music is often performed in churches the composer suggests should be positioned on a gallery. This creates a double choir effect and perfectly fits the Renaissance-like style. Each of the melodies is played in various dance-like cadences that partly because of the double choir effect will result in a very lively and original performance.

There have been many arrangements of Beatles’ songs for various kinds of ensembles so rather than just producing a further medley of Beatles’ hits Peter Kleine Schaars has added a new twist to them with this excellent new work. All You Need Is Love and With a Little Help from my Friends pass by in a swing march  Michelle sounds like a newly composed ballad and When I’m Sixty Four is played in Dixie swing style. A Hard Day’s Night is transformed into a funk theme with a samba interlude  Let It Be into a slowmarch and Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da in a rock beat. Experience The Beatles as you have never heard them before.

In 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' Scottish composer Bruce Fraser makes a sport of misleading his audience time and again. The title already indicates that this piece has been based on the well-known Carol 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' even if the melody makes a somewhat halting start. When it gathers pace however also due to the percussion section suddenly various other carols may be recognized. Peace and quiet reign in the middle part during which we can enjoy Bach's charming 'O Jesulein süss'. 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' ends in the same way it began even if more and more Carols put in an appearance. Merry Christmas!

In 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' Scottish composer Bruce Fraser makes a sport of misleading his audience time and again. The title already indicates that this piece has been based on the well-known Carol 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' even if the melody makes a somewhat halting start. When it gathers pace however also due to the percussion section suddenly various other carols may be recognized. Peace and quiet reign in the middle part during which we can enjoy Bach's charming 'O Jesulein süss'. 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' ends in the same way it began even if more and more Carols put in an appearance. Merry Christmas!

Sketches from Nowhere is the second composition that Thomas Doss has written for brass band. The title was inspired by various images the composer saw in his mind’s eye while working on this piece: pictures of foreign places; pictures of the creationof our world. The main motif that weaves its way from the beginning to the end of the work is meant to parallel humanity’s great evolution: from its humble beginnings as mere stardust to the present day.