Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean. In 1494 it was discovered by Christopher Columbus who used it as private property until 1509. After some skirmishes it fell under British rule and the sugar trade on the island flourished. After the abolition of slavery in 1834 it was only granted Home Rule in 1944 but it remained a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Whereas the export of cane sugar used to be Jamaica’s main export product for many years nowadays music has taken over this role. At first American music used to be very popular on the island. Later however Jamaican musicians started to experiment and thus in the end created their ownmusical style called Reggae. Well-known Reggae musicians are Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The most important instruments used in Reggae are the bass and the drums. Together they form the base for the style: the riddim. A bass drum accent on the second and fourth beat are characteristic of a typically reggae drum beat. To this syncopic patterns are often added. The rhythm guitarist plays chords in a characteristic Reggae rhythm not on but between the beats.

Par BALAZS ARPAD. With its energetic impetus and imposing instrumentation, Concertino is certainly outstanding in the oeuvre of Árpád Balázs. Among his compositions for concert band, it is by far the most engaging and exacting work. Passing away and a will to live are simultaneously present in Concertino, which Árpád Balázs composed in memory of his beloved father. Its structure brings Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies to mind: its solemn opening, which returns at the end,is followed by a slow and a fast movement. The funereal music of the slow movement evolves from a motif of Bach's St. Matthew Passion with enormous intensification equal to the lament in Grieg's Peer Gynt. It is difficult to imagine a dramatic incandescence with a higher degree of heat. The heartbeat-imitating timpani features significantly at the beginning and the end of the funereal music. The fast movement represents resolution, resignation and regainedgaiety. This part, pulsating like a waltz and echoing the modulation technique of Richard Strauss, is followed by the solemn return of the opening chords.Whether playing or listenting to this tremendously soul-stirring music, you will all encounter a dramatic experience./ Répertoire / Concert Band

The Hanover Wind Symphony New Jersey USA was founded in 1984 by its conductor Peter Boor. He commissioned HANOVER FESTIVAL to celebrate the band’s 15th Birthday and the first performance took place on October 27th 1999. The piece starts with a solemn brass fanfare. Woodwinds join in and the music subsides into an expressive chorale. A climax is reached and the fanfare returns. Trumpets introduce an explosive vivo section characterised by an energetic theme from the horns and low clarinets. A bridge passage with strong brass chords leads to a playful section that introduces a legato central theme under woodwind figures. This is taken up by the full band the playfulmusic returns and the original horn tune is reintroduced. Finally the opening fanfare returns this time accompanied by music from the vivo section until a fast and furious coda closes the work.

Glistening chords soaring melodies broad fanfares and gorgeous chorales will fill your concert hall with this evocative work. Best of all From Gold sounds much harder than it actually is. Mr. Hazos background as a music educator is evidentin how quickly directors and students will get to the music making. Written entirely in B-flat with few accidentals the runs are split between instruments for playability and parts are doubled/cued to build confidence. Young bands will soundmature and mature bands will be breathtaking. Dur: 4:35

Beautiful and poignant The Emerald Isle is a new work from popular Alfred composer Dave Black. This wonderful piece begins with a lovely melody that features the woodwinds with horn chords in the background. The final section begins with percussion and is a jaunty Irish jig in 6/8 time. This is a great concert piece with plenty of chances to learn ensemble playing 3-against-2 rhythms and musical phrasing!

This is a little salute to the wonderful music of Duke Ellington taking Mood Indigo as its model. Something Borrowed Something Blue will allow the young band to approach this masterpiece?s laid-back style using chords and harmonies that they may be hearing for the first time. The flexible instrumentation of this work makes it ideal for bands without the full quota of players. Bring the world of jazz to life with this smooth classic.