17 Graded Solos for Bassoon and Piano- Sounds Classical for Bassoon is a collection of graded solos selected specifically for the developing bassoonist. Designed to correlate with grades 1-4 of the exam syllabus of the Associated Board of the royal Schools of Music the pieces are drawn from four centuries of classical repertoire ranging from Susato to Sullivan and will provide ideal material forpractice or recital. Also available: Sounds Classical for Oboe AMP 361-400 Sounds Classical for Bassoon is a collection of graded solos selected specifically for the developing bassoonist. Designed to correlate with grades 1-4 of the exam syllabus of the Associated Board of the royal Schools of Music the pieces are dra

Contest March-This fantastic contest march was composed for the Alexander Brass Band from Stavanger Norway who wanted a brand new march to play when they took part in the world-renowned Whit Friday March Contest. In the march Philip Sparke has followed the traditional brass band contest march format and it is named as a tribute to Alexander the Great rather than the Alexander brass band who were actually named after their local pub!

En 2007 Philip Sparke est nommé compositeur en résidence à l’établissement scolaire de Monmouth (Monmouth School) bourgade historique sur la frontière Angleterre/Pays de Galles. L’école puise dans un passé prestigieux qui remonte à 1614. Elle dispose d’un département de musique particulièrement actif qui peut s’enorgueillir de posséder deux Orchestres d’Harmonie en collaboration avec l’école des filles Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls et un Brass Band.Cette résidence passionnante et innovante a donné lieu à trois rencontres entre le compositeurs et élèves et à trois commandes d’œuvres une pour chaque formation. La création des œuvres a eu lieu dans lecadre du concert de fin d’année.Cette ouverture est une commande pour le Grand Orchestre d’Harmonie (Haberdasher’s Symphonic Winds) de l’école des filles Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls.La musique débute dans une atmosphère pétillante et s’articule autour du thème central Le chant d’Azincourt (The Agincourt Song) une mélodie du XVe siècle qui célèbre la victoire anglaise à la bataille d’Azincourt au nord de la Somme le 25 octobre 1415. La « fleur de la chevalerie française » pourtant en surnombre fut anéantie par les archers du roi Henry V d'Angleterre. Henry V naquit au château de Monmouth en 1387. Les habitants de la ville de Monmouth continuent de commémorer cette victoire décisive en se rassemblant dans la célèbre rue d’Azincourt (Agincourt Street) et sur la Place d’Azincourt (Agincourt Square) situés non loin de l’établissement scolaire de Monmouth (Monmouth School).

En 2007 Philip Sparke est nommé compositeur en résidence à l’établissement scolaire de Monmouth (Monmouth School) bourgade historique sur la frontière Angleterre/Pays de Galles. L’école puise dans un passé prestigieux qui remonte à 1614. Elle dispose d’un département de musique particulièrement actif qui peut s’enorgueillir de posséder deux Orchestres d’Harmonie en collaboration avec l’école des filles Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls et un Brass Band.Cette résidence passionnante et innovante a donné lieu à trois rencontres (entre le compositeurs et élèves) et à trois commandes d’œuvres une pour chaque formation. La création des œuvres a eu lieu dans lecadre du concert de fin d’année. Almshouse Street Blues est la pièce que Philip Sparke a composée pour le Brass Band dont les membres ont eux-mêmes choisi le style. L’établissement scolaire de Monmouth est situé dans Almshouse Street (Rue Almshouse). La ville de Monmouth accueille chaque année un festival d’été dynamique et créatif qui rassemble entre autres des groupes de blues mais propose également un large éventail de styles musicaux tels que le jazz la soul le rock et le bhangra.

A Bicentennial Tribute to Adolphe Sax- Variations – Paris 1846 was composed specifically for the 25th anniversary of ‘Brass-Aux-Saxes’ in 2014 coincidentally the 150th anniversary of Adolphe Sax the inventor of the saxophone. As a result Philip Sparke created this work to pay homage to Adolphe Sax. The work is a series of variations based on one original theme and gives the ‘fanfare orchestra’ a unique and rare setting you would usually only find in Belgium the Netherlands and parts of Japan. Consequently this shows all of the different aspects of the band through both colour and technique.

40 Progressive Duets for Clarinets-Philip Sparke’s Skilful Duets is the second volume of a progressive series of duet books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Following on from the first book in the series ( Starter Duets ) this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Duets introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrument ranges; the concept of tempo and style indications is also introduced. Skilful Duets provides invaluable additional material to complement anyteaching method. Philip Sparke’s Skilful Duets is the second volume of a progressive series of duet books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Following on from the first book in the series (Starter Duets) this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Duets introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrument ranges; the concept of tempo and style indications is also introduced. Skilful Duets provides invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method.

Six miniatures based on animals from the Japanese 'Junishi'- Zodiac Dances was commissioned by the Izumiotsu City Band Osaka Japan to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Sparke had previously written the piece Prelude to a Celebration for the band and in composing a new piece for their 50th anniversary wanted to personalise it to reflect the band’s history. He chose to write a set of six dance-miniatures based on the decades following the band’s foundation and the equivalent signs from the Japanese ‘Junishi’ . During the piece all aspects of true musicianship come to the surface. Energetic playing phrasing melodic music making technique and a spectacular finale make this work a perfect test or concertwork!

Part of the Anglo Music Play-along Series Philip Sparke’s 15 Easy Classical Solos is aimed at the young instrumentalist who can play just over an octave. Specifically tailored to suit the individual instrument this book introduces the beginning player to the world of the classics by using simple yet attractive melodies that fit their limited range. The carefully selected pieces include music from the 16th to the 20th century and cover a wide variety of styles from Bach to Grieg and from Purcell to Satie. This book will provide invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method and includes both piano accompaniment and a demo/play-along CD. Part of the Anglo Music Play-along Series Philip Sparke's 15 Easy Classical Solos is aimed at the young instrumentalist who can play just over an octave. Specifically tailored to suit the individual instrument this book introduces the beginning player to the world of the classics by using simple yet attractive melodies that fit their limited range. The carefully selected pieces include music from the 16th to the 20th century and cover a wide variety of styles from Bach to Grieg and from Purcell to Satie. This book will provide invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method and includes both piano accompaniment and a demo/play-along CD.

Philip Sparke was so inspired and moved by his first visit to New York that he had to capture the moment in one of his compositions. At first a general picture of New York is presented as all the sights and sounds are taken it. Eventually the composer finds himself in Manhattan. Walking along a street music can be heard wafting from one of the jazz-clubs. This musical representation of personal impressions creates an extremely memorable work. Philip Sparke was so inspired and moved by his first visit to New York that he had to capture the moment in one of his compositions. At first a general picture of New York is presented as all the sights and sounds are taken it. Eventually the composer finds himself in Manhattan. Walking along a street music can be heard wafting from one of the jazz-clubs. This musical representation of personal impressions creates an extremely memorable work.

Designed to open a Christmas concert A Christmas Herald starts with a fanfare that introduces a lyrical theme which eventually turns out to be a descant to Hark the Herald Angels Sing which is subsequently introduced by trombones and euphoniums. The famous carol then gradually transforms back into the fanfare which closes the work as it began.

Second to None is a perfectly suitable title for this work though it actually refers to “Nulli Secundus” the motto of the British Corps of Army Music who gave the commission to Philip Sparke. The piece opens with a fanfare followed by two short quotes from two of the Corp’s own marches and a festive Vivace . A more legato central section creates a nice contrast before the work closes with the opening fanfare. A perfect affair!

for Oboe and Piano- White Light was commissioned by Fumiko Teramoto oboist with the Musashino Grand Concert Band from Tokyo Japan. The request was for a moderately slow piece of intermediate difficulty which included White in the title as this is her lucky colour. Composer Philip Sparke decided to use this suggestion to write a piece that was bright and light in terms of harmony and colour with much use of simple major and minor chords and an emphasis on pure and transparent timbres. He was also keen to capture the essence and history of the oboe as a solo instrument - the piece is pastoral in character and often almost baroque in style. Also available for oboe and concert band (AMP317-010/140).

Philip Sparke 's The Saga Of Haakon The Good for Brass Band. Score and parts.

The inspiration for this piece came from the address of the person who commissioned the work: Morse Street Houston Texas. It pays tribute to the immense skill of the engineers who succeeded in submerging a wire across the Atlantic to send messages in morse code from America to Europe. This technical ingenuity provided the perfect source of material for a transatlantic musical message. This work explores the vast expanse of the Atlantic and makes use of Irish melodies to celebrate the point where the cable enters into the Atlantic Ocean.

Hymn to Frei-British composer Philip Sparke was asked to write this arrangement of Hymn to Frei for the Norwegian Brass Band Frei Hornmusikk . Sparke had already used part of this hymn by a composer well-known in the home region of the band in The Saga of Haakon the Good . In A Norwegian Hymn three verses of the tune can be heard: the first is performed by various soloists followed by a quieter second verse before the third verse brings the piece to a triumphal close. A beautiful piece which is also excellent to use to work on musicality with bands in lower divisions.

The choir parts are seperately available (order no. AMP 227-050).

Bohemian Rhapsody is undoubtedly one of the most important songs in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. The song defied all convention in terms of form. It has no chorus. Instead it comprised of an introduction ballad guitar solo operatic interlude hard rock section and coda. Perhaps the most mystifying aspect of the song is the lyrics which are commonly thought to be autobiographical although members of the band have never fully explained them. Bring the house down with Philip Sparke’s authentic arrangement!

Five States of Change was commissioned by Kunstfactor for the 4th section of the Dutch National Brass Band Championships (NBK) 2011. It is dedicated to Jappie Dijkstra and the Music Information Centre (MUI) Arnhem Holland in acknowledgement of their outstanding work in developing band repertoire.The composer writes: The idea for the piece came when I was reading an article about a branch of Chinese philosophy which is abbreviated as Wu Xing* which has no exact translation but can mean for example five elements five phases or five states of change . It is central to all elements of Chinese thought including science philosophy medicine andastrology and in simple terms tries to create various cyclic relationships between five elements in all walks of life.An example is: Earth - Metal - Water - Wood - Fire - (Earth) etc. where (in one cycle) earth bears metal metal changes to liquid (water) when heated water helps trees grow wood burns to create fire fire produces ash (earth) and the cycle continues.I was particularly interested in the cycle of emotions:- Meditation - Sorrow - Fear - Anger - Joy - (Meditation) etc. and thought this cyclic principle would provide an effective emotional journey for a piece of music. So Five States of Change has five equal sections which loosely characterise this emotional cycle. I have tried to make the music grow organically with minimal repetition and each movement evolves from the musical elements at the end of the previous one with the opening material appearing transformed at the end of the piece to complete the cycle. *in full Wu zhong liu xing zhi chi or the five types of chi dominating at different times

Lion City Festival was commissioned as one of the test pieces for the Singapore Youth Festival 2010 an annual event at which school ensembles from throughout Singapore can receive gold silver or bronze awards for their performance. The English name for Singapore comes from Malay Singapura which has Sanskrit roots meaning ‘Lion City’. Lion City Festival is in the form of a quick march in ABA form. An opening fanfare leads to a perky march tune which is taken up by the full band. A change of key heralds a legato trio section before the main theme returns in varied form. Roaring fun!

Jubiloso s’inscrit dans la lignée des marches Slipstream et The Bandwagon : un style « broadwayien » des mélodies fortement syncopées un trio cantabile assez conventionnel et quelques surprenantes mesures irrégulières qui viennent troubler le rythme régulièrement cadencé de la marche. Une marche idéale pour une ouverture de concert.