for Brass Band-The opening of this three-movement work features an initial appearance of the thematic material that returns in various guises later on in the work. The leitmotiv centres on a minor second.A range of thematic variations is heard in the lively and energetic Metamorphosis One. This movement is interrupted by an atmospheric meno mosso containing melodic passages that return to the opening theme. Metamorhosis Two is characterised by various changes in tempo and musical character. Seven different soloists transform the thematic material each in their own way. This eventually culminates in a passionate tutti passage.The source of inspiration for Metamorphosis Three isthe so-called BACH-motif a musical autograph consisting of the notes B flat A C and B. This distinctive motif arises from the leitmotiv (here a descending minor second) which continues to evolve through various transpositions and transformations. For the composer this spectacular last movement is an homage to one of the greatest and most influential composers in the history of music: Johann Sebastian Bach.

You only have had a couple of months of lessons and already you are to play a solo at your band's annual gala concert. in a big concerthall on a huge platform and in front of people from your own town or village. Now there's something ! This circumstance inspired Jerry Bensman into writing your very first solo piece with band accompaniment. The solo part may be played by various instruments and was kept very simple indeed. Parts are available in various transpositions and keys.

For many years Peter Kleine Schaars’ jazz quartet provided sparkle and energy for various festivities and other occasions. If required the ensemble could alternate jazz repertoire with pop and latin music too. Their wide experience taught the musicians that an hour of unbeatable repertoire is the perfect end to every swinging party. Based on this practical knowledge Kleine Schaars has chosen his favourite pop pieces and arranged them in this animated medley entitled That’s the Way (I like Them).

Veni Emmanuel - Il est né - Ding Dong! - Nu zijt wellekome - Gloria in excelsis - In dulci jubilo-A Christmas Collage is a selection of internationally known Christmas songs. The following songs are included either in their entirety or as extracts: Veni Emmanuel Il est né le divin enfant Ding Dong! Merrily on High Nu zijt wellekome Gloria in excelsis Deo and In dulci jubilo. It is arranged in four parts for brass quartet and can be performed in various combinations: first and second trumpet in Bb first trombone (or horn in F/Eb) and second trombone (or euphonium Eb bass or tuba).

This composition in two parts is one of the first successful works Jacob de Haan published for Brass Band. Somewhat under the influence of Ted Huggen’s Choral and Rock Out which was an overwhelming success at the time the still very young Jacob de Haan wrote this composition. The first part (Air) exists of a choral melody with baroque grace notes supported by a pop rhythm in the drums. The second part (Crazy Music) is a swinging bossa nova in which various instrument groups present themselves in the continuously varying themes. The famous Black Dycke Mills Band contributed to the success of Crazy Music in the Air by regularly puttingthe piece on its tour programmes.

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.

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.

This fantasy tells the story of Oregon one of Americas north-western states. Traveling by train on the Northern Pacific Railroad the listener is taken through the fascinating Oregon landscape. Indians cowboys golddiggers and hooded wagons will file past on this adventurous journey. The piece has some similarities with a soundtrack of a movie. Various melodies which could be the main themes of a movie pass the review.The piece begins in a slow movement introducing the first theme in minor. Then we hear in the following fast movement the trombones imitate the train whistling the steam-flute. We hear the characteristic minor theme again but now in differentvariants(also in major). The rythmic structure of 'western' stile and rock succeed each other. This is leading to the slow movement where the signals of horns and trumpets introduce a wonderful vocal melody. After this characteristic melody the fast movement appears shortly again the trombones whistling the steam-flute again (now in major). We hear also some musical elements that plays a part in the following Presto. Barchanges jazzy chords interesting rhytmic patterns (with bongo) and an original theme are the characteristics of this Presto. After this the horns announce the last section of the piece. Interesting is the fact that we hear in this Allegro section a variant of the vocal melody in the slow movement. Also the Presto theme returns shortly followed by the Allargando which is a grand characteristic end of a soundtrack. The movie of our travelling fantasy has come to an end.

Since most of the bands competing in the 4th Section of the Dutch National Championships have many young players this piece is stylistically youthful— especially in the opening and closing sections. An arpeggio pattern appears numerous times in all registers and is the basic musical element of the main melody alternating with a second theme that has a slightly different melodic character. The middle section is conceived like a chorale introduced and developed stepwise: firstly with short patterns and gradually in increasingly long snippets until it’s played in its glorious entirety at measure 216. No real solo passages are included but rather small chambercombinations thus offering the opportunity to various players to display their technical and performance skills. The finale recaptures musical material from the first section of the piece and provides a majestic conclusion.

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.

9 flexible fanfares for brass-Paul Harris writes: 'Over the past few years I have written quite a number of Fanfares for various ceremonial occasions. Some were written for Christine McRitchie Pratt inspirational Trumpeter and teacher whose idea it was to put them together as a flexible collection for use whenever a Fanfare is required.'The collection includes 9 Fanfares for 3 to 9 parts and can be played in all sorts of different instrumental combinations.

Music for Brass Quintet from the Empire Brass Series. Three Ayres by English Renaissance composer and instrumentalist John Adson who held various posts as recorder and cornett player and as music teacher at the English court.