For the project The Music of Kurt Weill, Peter Kleine Schaars rewrote a number of works by the German composer Kurt Weill (1900?1950) for the ?Dreigroschen-Orchester? (an occasional ensemble with the line-up that Weill had prescribed for his Kleine Dreigroschenmusik). Kleine Schaars became inspired by the three periods that characterize the life of Weill: he successively lived in Berlin, Paris and New York. Three Aspects of Kurt Weill (with the subtitle Drei Kurzweilige Impressionen) has one theme that comes forward in three totally different atmospheres, corresponding with the three mentioned periods. Movement one is a ?Berlin-tinted? protest march and parodies the fascist use of music. Movement two is a French musette (valse de Paris). Finally, the theme is featured in big band style in movement three: here, your ensemble transforms into a swinging Broadway band.

The six-part suite Six Cocktails by French composer Pascal Proust offers something for every taste: some familiar flavours from closer to home mingle with those from lands afar. In additionâ??as per standard in the Music Box seriesâ??all four parts are flexible and can be combined with each other and supplemented by percussion instruments as required ensuring the perfect mix in a convivial atmosphere: shaken or stirred!

Standard US Set (without european suppl. parts)-Commissioned by the Michigan State University Alumni Band this three movement work by Karel Husa was the winner of the first Louis Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition in 1983. A note from thecomposer: 'Divided into three movements this work is a display of virtuoso passages given to solo instruments as well as to the groups of the ensemble. In the Fanfare of the first movement the Brass section concertises in groupsof four Brass quintets (2 Trumpets Horn Trombone and Tuba or Baritone) spread from left to right in back. The Saxophones (SATB) are placed in front of the Brass quintets and the Woodwinds occupy the front of the stage withPercussion on the left and right side. These groups like the Brass quintets play in the concertante style particularly in the first and last movements. 'At the same time each movement contains individual solo passages(for example Timpani and Flute in Movement I - Drum Ceremony and English Horn and other low Woodwinds in Movement II - Elegy). The composition of this piece was prompted by the excellence of Wind and Percussion players today andby the incredible growth of Wind ensembles orchestras and bands in the last 25 years. It is intended for their enjoyment.'