Par DE HAAN JACOB. Pacific Dreams describes the experience of Miguel, a traveling composer from Spain who, feeling somewhat alienated from his homeland, is wandering through an area of Sydney known as The Rocks. At a small outdoor market in a typical street of this oldcolonial neighbourhood, he discovers a print of William DeShazos painting 'Pacific Dreams' Portrayed in the painting is the surf of one of the exotic islands in the Pacific. Next, with the impressive Sydney Harbour Bridge looming over the narrowstreets of The Rocks, he envisions sultry Pacific beaches. Suddenly a theme he once composed about the lakes in Japan comes to him. Is it the Asian influences present in cosmopolitan Sydney that bring this theme to mind? Or perhaps the waters aroundSydney, over which he could sail to Tahiti? He is uncertain. Could this same theme be used to create a new composition about his feelings for the metropolis Sydney? How then to work his Pacific Dreams into the mix? Miguel is certainly no fan ofHawaiian music. Mayby he could use the vocabularies of islands like Hawaii and Tahiti, their beautiful vowel combinations being sung ad libitum by a mixed choir. With these ideas and his newly purchased print of 'Pacific Dreams', he boards the Metroat Circular Quay. He has a final glimpse of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House as the train races into the ground. On to the hotel! To work! He must compose!Maestoso : Miguel is impressed as he gazes upon the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And yet, hewants to go away from this city. Away, to an exotic island in the Pacific. Steady Rock : In the Rocks, musicians are playing at a square. Miguel basks in the atmosphere but at the same time he is fantasizing about Hawaii and Tahiti. Andante Lamentoso :In his hotel room, Miguel is feeling sad and lonely in this big city. He takes comfort in his 'Pacific Dreams'. Allegro : Miguel boards the boat that takes him from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay. In his mind he is traveling on to Hawaii. Or is ithome, where the bolero is playing? He is pulled back to reality by the skyline of Sydney. / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Norfolk is one of the most beautiful counties in England, famous for its charming villages and boundless broads, a popular centre for sailing holidays. It is also the home of one of the best known of all British composers, Sir Malcolm Arnold. The date of the premiere of this piece was to fall close to his 80th birthday, so Philip Sparke decided to write something of a birthday tribute. Some of Arnold’s best-loved orchestral works are his sets of dances: there are two sets of English Dances, Four Scottish Dances, Four Cornish Dances etc. , most of which have been arranged for concert band at one time or another. Philip Sparke thought it would be appropriate for the concert band tohave its own set of dances and wrote Four Norfolk Dances very much in the style of Arnold’s suites. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par COURT DOUGLAS. Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O Come, All Ye Faithful combine to create this engaging holiday sparkler sure to make any Scrooge smile. The melodies are simple enough, but the skillful merging lifts the tunes beyond their individual beauty. Use this either as a rousing opener to start your concert off on the right foot, or as a finale, sending your audience home with the spirit of the season. / Niveau : 1.5 / Ouverture / Répertoire / Concert Band

Flamenco for Band. Par SPARKE PHILIP. Flamenco is a style of music, usually played on the guitar to accompany dancing and singing, that has its home in Andalusia in southern Spain. It has its roots in the years of Moorish rule of the region (711-1492) although the modern flamenco style dates only from the 18th century. La Caracola (which is the Spanish name for the triton sea shell) is an annual festival of flamenco that takes place around the region’s capital, Seville, annually in May. This piece does not contain any traditional flamenco melodies but does capture wonderfully the colour, passion and energy of this seductive music in a ‘must-have’ work for Beginner Bands. / Niveau : 1.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Le Chateau des Amoureux. Par VLAK KEES. The magnificent castle Chenonceaux in France was the source of inspiration for this major work by the composer Claude Fressigot. Over the years this castle been the home to many great counts and countesses and is rich in history. In this piece you can feel the typical atmosphere of an old castle in the romantic Loire region. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Prayer to the Power of Love. Par BORTNIANSKY DMITRY STEPANOVYCH. The Ukrainian Dmitri Bortniansky (1751-1825) received lessons at the local singing school in his hometown of Hlukhiv, and soon his extraordinary talent was recognised. He was somewhat of a child prodigy, writing his first opera at a young age. Following his studies Bortniansky was appointed court composer and Kapellmeister of the Imperial Chapel Choir. In the period that followed, he wrote - in addition to a number of operas, instrumental works, and a cycle of songs - more than a hundred religious works for a cappella choir, in which he combined Russian-orthodox and Ukrainian traditions with late 18th century European music. The appealing melody of Ich bete an die Macht derLiebe (Prayer to the Power of Love) became well-known, especially in Germany, in combination with German text by Gerhard Tersteegen. This arrangement by Michael Bilkes reflects the atmosphere of the original work very well. / Niveau : 2 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par CURNOW JAMES. Captivated by the rolling hills, majestic horse farms and beautiful horses of the Central Kentucky Bluegrass region, James Curnow has named this exciting overture after one of the most scenic areas near his home. After a fanfare opening, the Percussion section provides high energy for the main theme. A contrasting middle section showcases the expressive abilities of your ensemble. With a return of the main theme, momentum builds steadily to the exciting conclusion. Exhilarating! / Niveau : 2 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SAKAI ITARU. This work takes both its name and inspiration from a lighthouse “Sword Cape” that keeps watch near Japan’s naval base. The piece describes how, come rain or shine, the lighthouse bids a safe journey to departing ships, guides them during their travels and eventually welcomes them home again. The music evokes many musical images - grand ships sailing by, white-capped waves, the deep blue of the ocean and the light of ‘sword cape” as it silently guides ships over the mysterious waters. / Niveau : 4 / Marche de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Take your audience on a voyage to the vast, unexplored areas of the Amazon Rainforest, where most of the world's isolated tribes dwell. Through the use of call-and-response, repetitive rhythmic grooves, and percussion instruments native to the region, this piece was written to celebrate the diverse and lively music culture that exists within the indigenous groups who call the Amazon Rainforest home. (4:40) / Concert Band