25 Famous Carols-Philip Sparke’s Classic Christmas brings together 25 of the most popular Christmas carols which can either be played with the CD accompaniments or with organ or piano using the separate accompaniment book which fits with all the instrumental books. They can be performed as solos and are all in suitable keys to accompany congregational singing. Twenty-five famous Christmas carols for Instrumental solos or Ensembles with the same instruments. Includes a Play along CD of accompaniments and demonstration tracks. This edition for Trombone or Euphonium Treble Clef.

from Hymn of the Highlands - Euphonium Solo-The Summer Isles are a group of islands located off the North West coast of Scotland which are famous for their wildlife. This piece written for solo euphonium and brass band reflects the natural beauty and relaxing atmosphere of the islands. The wonderful melodious nature of the euphonium is displayed in this piece and the opening theme is followed by melodic interplay between the soloist and cornets. This piece will surely be enjoyed by any audience.

Flying the Breeze opens with three repeated B's (representing the initials of the Breeze Brass Band from Japan who commissioned this work). A short introduction leads to a robust theme from the baritones and euphoniums which is taken up by cornets and trombones. A restless bridge passage leads to a syncopated tune from the solo cornet and then to a third theme from a solo trombone. A graceful second subject leads back to a recall of the introductory material before a full-scale recapitulation. An intense allargando leads to a full-band version of the second subject under a running cornet passage which leads to a short coda.

This piece was inspired by the composer watching his young son Benny playing ‘soldiers’ with his collection of teddy bears - how appropriate!But it made him think of the many character pieces which take the form of a ‘toy march’ the most notable examples being by Haydn Tchaikovsky and Leon Jessel. Parade of the Clockwork Soldiers is in the form of a ‘patrol’ (starting and ending quietly with a louder middle) and aims to represent a band marching past the listener. In fact where the hall layout permits it it could be possible to add a little choreography to the piece starting and ending with only a few instruments on stage.

Jesu bleibet meine Freude from Cantata 147-Bach’s appointment as the Cantor at Leipzig’s Thomaskirche in 1723 required him to produce a new cantata for every Sunday service. Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring is taken from his Cantata No.147 and is unusually elaborate treated more like an aria than a chorale. It is perhaps the best-loved cantata movement from Bach’s entire output and is a certain crowd pleaser for your concert programme.

Although Cesar Franck won many prizes during his student days his music was generally unrecognised by his contemporaries. His pieces were written in the romantic style whilst retaining a classical structure and his later compositions were referred to as 'cathedrals of sound'. Panis Angelicus is poetic and almost serene and this arrangement by Philip Sparke retains all of the beauty of the original.

Elegy for Band-The initial idea was for a millennium piece which it is but rather than add to the many celebratory pieces that have understandably been written to salute the 3rd millennium Philip Sparke thought it would perhaps be appropriate to think about the aspects of life that are constantly with us (such as faith and philosophy) rather than the exciting changes that the year 2000 has undeniably wrought. This calm meditative work will bring a moment of serenity and reflection to any concert.

MASQUERADE was commissioned by Stadtmusik Willisau from Switzerland (Reto Güdel conductor) to celebrate their 175th anniversary in 2003 and first performed by them in November that year. 1. OvertureThe first movement opens with a fanfare-like figure featuring the brass before the main them is introduced over staccato chords. After a short syncopated interlude a legato theme is introduced in the tenor register and material is developed until the music slows temporarily. The opening theme returns and the ‘tenor’ tune is taken up by the whole band until the opening fanfare returns to close the movement. 2. ElegyThe slow movement opens intensely with a bare two-part theme whichleads to a passionate chorale-style melody. A second theme is introduced and leads to a climax a return of the chorale theme and a pianissimo repeat which again leads to a full-band climax. The two-part theme returns quietly to create a peaceful close. 3 InterludeA short movement which changes the mood to introduce:- 4 FinaleThree violent chords preface a lively syncopated opening theme. The trumpets introduce a second idea which is treated fugally and this in turn leads to the main melodic idea of the movement over staccato chords. A contrasting subject is then introduced in the middle of the band followed by echoes of the first movement fanfare. The opening theme returns and material is revisited until the opening fanfare returns in full to end the work triumphantly.

Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece but has been designed specifically for occasions such as weddings or graduation ceremonies where it?s duration can be altered according to your needs.A must for any ceremonial occasion.

Edward MacDowell can be regarded as the first great American composer although he disliked the idea of being classified as any sort of musical nationalist. He composed a large number of orchestral works but it is the charming and unpretentious suite of musical miniatures Woodland Sketches that has survived as his best-known work with To a Wild Rose being the most popular. Philip Sparke has expertly arranged this simple work for concert band.

from The Four Noble Truths- The Four Noble Truths was commissioned by the Dutch National Brass Band Championships for their 2003 competition. The Four Noble Truths are the most basic expression of the teaching of Buddha and therefore still form the guidelines for Buddhists to this day. They concern themselves with Dukkha which has no exact translation but can mean suffering stress or sadness etc. Magga is The Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Dukkha - the Fourth Noble Truth - which gives us a description of eight disciplines which can help us eliminate the origins of stress from our lives.

The last decades of the 20th century saw man's first steps in space exploration. Since the first moon landing by Neil Armstrong in 1969 these adventures in outer space have captured the public's imagination and have given birth to scores of science fiction movies books and TV series that have tackled the subject. Infinity and Beyond... takes as its inspiration the wonderful film scores of composers such as John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith who have almost invented a style which could be called 'space music'.Opening with a rhythmic bass figure Infinity and Beyond... begins with a robust introduction in 3/4 which leads to the main theme in 4/4 played by the full band. Ashort bridge passage utilising the interval of a fourth leads to a modal central section featuring first the trumpets and then played by the whole band; this in turn leads back to a repeat of the introduction until the main theme returns to bring the piece to a close.

Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece but has been designed specifically for occasions such as weddings or graduation ceremonies where it?s duration can be altered according to your needs.A must for any ceremonial occasion.

60 Progressive Duets for Trombones or Euphoniums BC-The early stages of learning any instrument are undoubtedly the most important. A good teacher is of course essential but it is also vital to have stimulating pieces to play which complement your choice of teaching method and are carefully tailored to introduce learning and playing skills in a structured manner. As in the book of Starter Studies the duets in Starter Duets introduce new musical elements in a logical order to facilitate the speedy growth of the „complete musician“ with the obvious benefit of allowing teacher and student (or two students) to play together and therefore experience the benefits of ensemble playing in the learning process.The early stages of learning any instrument are undoubtedly the most important. A good teacher is of course essential but it is also vital to have stimulating pieces to play which complement your choice of teaching method and are carefully tailored to introduce learning and playing skills in a structured manner. As in the book of Starter Studies the duets in Starter Duets introduce new musical elements in a logical order to facilitate the speedy growth of the „complete musician“ with the obvious benefit of allowing teacher and student (or two students) to play together and therefore experience the benefits of ensemble playing in the learning process.

In Letter from Home Philip Sparke portrays the many feelings and emotions that a letter from home can evoke. This intimate work opens with a gentle woodwind melody which gradually becomes more confused as new emotions are introduced. Finally resignation sets in but a sense of peace and balance is restored with the final chorale. In this emotional work Philip Sparke truly captures the highs and lows of being away from home.

Festival Prelude ‘Ad Excel’ was commissioned by the AD Concert Band from Solihull in the UK to celebrate their 40th Anniversary in 2016. The title Ad Excel is a play on words: it is Latin for ‘to excel’ but also celebrates the band’s anniversary as XL is 40 in Roman numerals. The work opens with a bright fanfare with frequent changes of meter. This leads to a playful main subject played first by woodwinds followed by full band. A bridge passage leads to a legato second subject played twice. The bridge passage returns to introduce the both main melodies in new keys and instrumentations before a coda derived from the opening fanfare brings the work to a close.

Spirit of Endeavour is a virtuosic piece of music with a positive musical message. It tells the story of a wind band embracing hard work friendship musical excellence love marriage and birth as well as the sad loss of cherished members. Composer Philip Sparke decided to salute the history of the Canadian concert band ‘Harmonie de Charlesbourg’ with a work that falls into two contrasted sections. One Vision deals with forming the band and the subsequent united desire to create an ensemble espousing the idea of musical perfection. The Pursuit of Excellence salutes the 20 years of hard work of the wind band. This concert work ends with a chorale of thefull band symbolising the fulfilment of a united dream!

England enjoys a rich folk song tradition. Composers such as Cecil Sharp and Vaughan Williams rekindled an interest in this heritage at the beginning of the 20th century by arranging numerous songs some of which were transcribed for the _x001F_first time. Philip Sparke selected three songs from the 18th and 19 century for his Three Folk Song Miniatures : the _x001F_sherman’s song Dance to Your Daddy the love song O Waly Waly and Bobby Shafto a song from the northwest of England.

This celebratory work which Philip Sparke wrote for the 20th anniversary of the Nottingham Concert Band starts with a hymn-like theme played as a fanfare in the brass. With a change of mood from ‘solemn’ to ‘merry’ and back to ‘majestic’ together with an unusual orchestration in which may different instruments feature and in which at points the entire wind orchestra shimmers in tutti passages A Nottingham Festival is a real pleasure for musicians and public alike.

Sanctuary was commissioned by Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass from New Zealand – and was performed as an own choice piece at the 2018 New Zealand National Brass Band Championships. It opens with an expressive cornet solo hymn-like in mood. A slightly faster central section builds to a change of key and an expansive return of the opening melody this time scored for full band. After an emotional climax the mood subsides leading to a quiet close. Sanctuary was commissioned by Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass from New Zealand – and was performed as an own choice piece at the 2018 New Zealand National Brass Band Championships. It opens with an expressive cornet solo hymn-like in mood. A slightly faster central section builds to a change of key and an expansive return of the opening melody this time scored for full band. After an emotional climax the mood subsides leading to a quiet close.