Arr. Philip Sparke. Par HENRY VIII. The English king, Henry VIII (1491-1547), is mainly remembered for disposing of his wives on a regular basis and breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope Clement VII refused to grant him a divorce so he could marry Anne Boleyn. As a young man he was a gifted athlete, dancer and composer, writing many songs, poems and consort pieces (though not Greensleeves, as is often believed). Pastime with Good Company is undoubtedly the best-known of these, written in the first years of the 16th century while he was still a handsome prince, newly married to Catherine of Aragon and the envy of Europe. The lyrics tell of the joys of hunting, dancing and singing and would have been sungas part of the court entertainment. This arrangement features a quartet of soloists and two solo drummers. / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Fanfare

Les Anges dans nos campagnes. The title of this clever arrangement reveals the Christmas song it is based on. The melody can be traced back to a French folksong from the 18th century which is now known around the world. In France it is called Les anges dans nos campagnes, in Germany it is most widely known as Engel auf den Feldern singen and in England it was originally called Angels From the Realms of Glory but it often known as Angels We Have Heard on High. Everyone will rejoice upon hearing the ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’ refrain! / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Arr. Philip Sparke. Par RYAN PAUL. Paul and Barry Ryan were identical twin sons of 1950’s pop singer Marion Ryan and were born on 24th October 1948. They were groomed for stardom and had started singing as a duo before their fifteenth birthday. They were signed by Decca in 1965 and brilliantly marketed as clean-cut fashion icons. Their first single ‘Don’t Bring Me Your Heartaches’ reached the UK top twenty but their success as twin performers lasted only three years. In 1968 Barry embarked on a solo career while Paul concentrated on writing and producing. Eloise with its melodramatic vocal style and heavily orchestrated backing was an early success of this new collaboration and went on to be covered by a variety ofartists, including punk legends The Damned. / Niveau : 4 / Pop and rock / Recueil / Fanfare

Par SPARKE PHILIP. The Harbour:Sunday Morningwas commissioned by the Jersey Instrumental Service for the Jersey Youth Wind Band. The history of the Channel Islands is inextricably linked to the sea and this determined the theme for this composition. The composer is intrigued by man?s fascination with elements of nature (such as the sea, mountains, deserts and deep space), which are both beautiful and dangerous. Bring the power of the sea to your concert with this truly descriptive piece. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par WILLIAMS JOHN / HVEEM DAVID (Arr.). «Cantina Band (or «Mad About Me») was written by John Williams in 1977 for the film Star Wars (later Star Wars IV: A New Hope). Even with quite a bit of the Star Wars music being quite well known, Cantina Band is literally in a style of its own. In the Star Wars-universe this style is called «jizz», Williams’ take on the more well-known genre «jazz». Williams was tasked by Star Wars-creator George Lucas to make music that sounded like «several creatures in a future century finding some 1930's Benny Goodman swing band music ... and how they might attempt to interpret it» and ended up with Cantina Band #1 and #2. Both numbers are played in the legendary scene taking place in Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina where Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi gets in a fight causing even the band to stop playing. The band, which goes by the name Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, comes from the planet Clak'dor VII and specializes in jizz and the nearby, slightly older style of jatz. Performers of this music often go by the name 'jizz-wailers', and the Bith people from Clak'dor VII are especially well suited for jizz-wailing since they can hold every note as long as they want thanks to a unique respiratory system - something many perhaps would like to be able to do in the performance of this arrangement as well. The arrangement is relatively faithful to Williams' original version, but with a somewhat different ending. Although the woodwind section undoubtedly has the biggest technical challenges, an understanding of the musical style is the very key to making the arrangement sound good - and here all groups must work together. Playing lightly but quite articulated, and very precise, will be an absolute necessity to get the music drifting off all the way to Tatooine. In measure 113 there is a small improvised solo in either trombone or trumpet, but if you want the real authentic Cantina Band-sound this is of course done on a steel drum. / Date parution : 2023-07-31/ Répertoire / Concert Band/Harmonie

Lasst uns erfreuen. La mélodie du cantique Lasst uns erfreuen est connue par toutes les communautés chrétiennes. Elle fut publiée pour la première fois dans le recueil Geistliche Kirchengesäng imprimé à Cologne, en 1623. La mélodie est attribuée à un compositeur anonyme. Dans les pays anglophones, cette mélodie est chantée sur le texte All creatures of our God and King (Vous, créatures du Seigneur) inspiré du chant de louange Cantico di fratre sole (Cantique du frère Soleil ou Cantique des créatures) de Saint François d’Assise. Rédigé en 1226, au terme de sa vie, il faudra attendre quatre cents ans pour que le cantique de Saint François d’Assise soit publié. Latraduction anglaise a été réalisée par William Henry Draper (1855-1933) à l’occasion d’un grand rassemblement de jeunes pour la Pentecôte à Leeds. L’hymne fut ensuite intégrée dans la seconde édition du recueil Public School Hymn Book (1919). Cet arrangement de Philip Sparke développe trois strophes contrastantes. Let Us Rejoice! est une oeuvre de concert à part entière, mais peut également servir d’interlude dans le cadre d’une célébration de Pâques ou de Pentecôte. / Niveau : 2.5 / Hymnes et chorals / Recueil / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Quelle est cette odeur agreable. ‘Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?’ is the first line of an old French Christmas song that originated in the 17th century. In 1728 John Gay used this joyous and markedly festive melody that honours Jesus Christ and His miraculous birth in his Beggar’s Opera. Philip Sparke has given this melody a new lease of life with his charming and imaginative arrangement for the Christmas season. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par SPARKE PHILIP. This piece depicts the refined beauty of the Grand Canyon at sunrise and sunset. These are the best times to view the Canyon with the sun low in the sky casting shadows that give depth and form to the vast panorama. Angel’s Gate is one of the many named rock formations in the canyon. The composer has tried to depict the sights and sounds of dawn, birdsong in the early morning sky and the gradual revelation of the Canyon itself as sunlight reaches into its rocky depths. Towards the end of the piece, to the sound of a tolling bell, we are however reminded of the dangers that the beauty of the Grand Canyon so cleverly hides. / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Morning Song features the horn quartet mostly in a soloistic role - indeed there is an accompanied cadenza towards the end of the piece - but there are moments where the horns assume their conventional fanfare band role as harmonic support or playing the counter melody. This expressive composition shows all the versatility of the horn quartet and gives them the chance to be in the spotlight. / Niveau : 4 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Baryton ou Tuba, Cor et Fanfare

Par HOUBEN KEVIN. Guardian Angels dépeint la légende du pasteur Louis Henri Antoine Bähler en utilisant entre autre le Psaume 34. La partie nord-ouest de la région de la Veluwe, et en particulier Oldebroek (Pays-Bas), possède une riche tradition religieuse, dont témoignent les bâtiments monumentaux de l'église. Ils racontent une histoire mouvementée, dans laquelle le pasteur Bähler a joué un rôle particulier. Inspirées par son arrivée comme pasteur en 1870 dans la ville voisine d'Oosterwolde, deux grandes communautés ecclésiastiques ont vu le jour, avec les bâtiments religieux typiques. Cependant, la région a aussi connu des troubles sociaux importants. Cette composition est une méditation sur la personnalité marquante du pasteur et en particulier sur l'histoire de la protection des anges: Un soir, le pasteur Bähler avait prêché à Oldebroek et marchait le long du sentier de l?église entre les champs pour aller à Oosterwolde. Le temps était sombre et orageux. Certains opposants de Bähler lui avaient tendu une embuscade et voulaient le noyer dans un fossé près du sentier. Lorsqu?ils virent qu?il n?était pas seul, mais en compagnie de deux autres hommes, ils abandonnèrent leur projet. Le lendemain, Bähler rencontra ses adversaires. Ceux-ci regrettaient ce plan qu?ils n?avaient heureusement pas pu mettre à exécution. Lors de cette rencontre, Bähler affirma catégoriquement avoir été seul à marcher sur le sentier de l?église la veille plutôt qu?accompagné par deux autres hommes. On en conclut qu?il avait été protégé par des anges. Si le Psaume 34 est au centre de cette composition, c?est en raison de sa puissante mélodie mais aussi parce que le texte du verset 4 de la version rimée de ce psaume s'accorde bien avec la légende extraordinaire du pasteur Bähler: ?L'ange du Seigneur monte la garde 'autour de ceux qui le craignent,'il les met hors de danger.? Une deuxième cellule mélodique et harmonique est la transformation musicale du nom ?Bähler?. Cette cellule est utilisée en variation d?accords de tierces majeures et mineures, tant comme idée principale que comme apothéose, mais également comme cellule d'accompagnement ou de motif de pont entre d'autres constructions mélodiques et rythmiques. La composition a été rendue possible grâce aux contributions de M. Evert van de Poll, propriétaire du Van Gelder Groep, du Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Gelderland et du Feteris Oosterbaan Fonds. / Date parution : 2022-05-03/ Répertoire / Ensemble à Vents

America, the Beautiful. Par CURNOW JAMES. The perfect arrangement for your Beginning Band’s first patriotic performance! There are lots of opportunities for young players to solidify basic skills here. A few easy accidentals, articulations, dynamics, and phrasing can all be taught while rehearsing Sea to Shining Seay. There are many more uses for this arrangement than the typical concert setting, too. Does your student body meet at the flag pole on Monday mornings for a flag salute? Play it there. How about a short performance at a school board meeting? The possibilities are endless! Don’t miss it! / Niveau : 0.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Langue: English(UK)/Deutsch/Français/Nederlands / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par CURNOW JAMES. Contrasting colors and varied orchestration techniques make this majestic setting of OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM come alive for Christmas. Of the three different tunes that are commonly associated with the original carol text, this arrangement uses the melody that’s best known in England. ENGLISH CAROL FANTASY remains entirely accessible to bands at this level and plenty of cueing makes sure it’s useful for ensembles of all shapes and sizes. Feature your deserving young trumpet section leader on the easy solo, or let the entire first trumpet section play it soli. The low woodwinds and brass also get some “well doubled” exposure, so playing this one will be fun for all. Try it! / Niveau : 2 / Répertoire / Fanfare

Wine, Women and Song, op. 333. Par STRAUSS JOHANN (FILS). À l’instar du Beau Danube bleu, la valse Wein, Weib und Gesang, op. 333 ( Aimer, boire et chanter, 1869), a été composée, à l’origine, pour le Wiener Männergesangverein (Choeur d’Hommes de Vienne). Johann Strauss s’est inspiré d’une citation attribuée à Martin Luther « Qui n'aime point le vin, les femmes ni le chant restera sot toute sa vie » (“Wer nicht liebt Wein, Weib und Gesang, der bleibt ein Narr sein Leben lang”). La version originale de Strauss s’ouvre avec un long passage d’ouverture de près de cent mesures ( Quasi religioso, suivie d’un Allegro ), très rarement joué. Cette transcription pour Orchestre d’Harmonie en est égalementdépourvue, mais débute néanmoins avec une introduction brillante ( Maestoso ) d’où se détache la première ligne mélodique qui revient plus tard, dans le quatrième air de valse. Le premier thème représente la quintessence de l’art de vivre viennois ; Strauss s’appuie sur la chanson à boire ' Stoß an, stoß an, du Liebchen mein ' (“Trinquons, ma bien-aimée”) extraite de son opérette Wiener Blut (Sang viennois). Les trois airs qui suivent font également preuve de vivacité et d’élégance. Et bien entendu, comme dans toutes les autres valses de concert, le thème initial revient dans le passage de fin. Une courte cadence endiablée clôt l’oeuvre. / Niveau : 3 / Valse / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Queen of Lake Malaren March. Par WIDQVIST VIKTOR. One of Viktor Widqvist's most well-known marches is undoubtedly Mälarrottningen. It was probably composed as early as the 1910s when he was serving in the engineering troops, but was published as late as 1950. The march's subtle minor tonality and the elegant runs in the woodwind bring to mind the wavy waters of Riddarfjärden in summertime. Mälardrottningen is just like the other marches by Widqvist composed for the old military band setting without saxophones. The big challenge has been to rearrange the music without changing the timbre and I have put a lot of emphasis on keeping the elegance and resilience of the original and therefore let some instruments pause in parts to get transparency in the timbre. The present arrangement reflects very well the composer's intentions and perception of timbre in new instrumentation for modern wind band. - Niclas Blixt / Date parution : 2023-07-31/ Répertoire / Marching Band