Duet for Flute and Alto Saxophone (or Clarinet) from The Pirates of Penzance-The Pirates of Penzance is perhaps Gilbert and Sullivan?s most popular operetta and tells the story of Frederic who was apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted orphaned pirates. A Sullivan Ballad uses a hauntingly simple love duet from the end of Act 2 ? Ah leave me not to pine alone and desolate ? which is arranged here as a duet for flute and alto saxophone (or clarinet). Both performers and audience alike will love this beautiful duet.

from Messiah-This piece needs no introduction as it remains one of the most popular classics of all time. Enthuse your performers and audiences alike with this fantastic arrangement of the Handel classic from his masterwork The Messiah.

In Classic Hymns Philip Sparke has taken 10 of the best-loved hymn tunes popular around the world and used them as the basis of a collection of short recital pieces ranging from simple descant arrangements to a full-blown theme and variations. Ideal for concert or contest use these charming pieces range in mood from triumphal to reflective and can provide that ‘musical moment’ and a time for meditation in church services and religious occasions of all kinds.

60 Progressive Duets for Saxophones-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.

Elgar’s five Pomp and Circumstance Marches were written between 1901 and 1930 with number 1 undoubtedly being the most popular of the five. King Edward VII told Elgar that the tune would ‘go round the world’ if words were fitted to it. Elgar took the hint and included it (with slight rhythmic changes) in his Coronation Ode of 1902 with words by A. C. Benson. Thus was born Land of Hope and Glory which is now of course an integral part of the annual Last Night of the Proms when the audience (with varying degrees of success!) sing the words along to the original march. Now your brass band can enjoy all the pomp and ceremony of proms with this arrangement byPhilip Sparke. Elgar's five Pomp and Circumstance Marches were written between 1901 and 1930 with number 1 undoubtedly being the most popular of the five. King Edward VII told Elgar that the tune would go round the world' if words were fitted to it. Elgar took the hint and included it (with slight rhythmic changes) in his Coronation Ode of 1902 with words by A. C. Benson. Thus was born Land of Hope and Glory which is now of course an integral part of the annual Last Night of the Proms when the audience (with varying degrees of success!) sing the words along to the original march. Now your brass band canenjoy all the pomp and ceremony of proms with this arrangement by Philip Sparke.

This collection provides a practical edition that can be used for marching as well as in the concert hall for 15 Sousa classics: The Beau Ideal • The Black Horse Troop • El Capitan • The Fairest of the Fair • Hands Across the Sea • The High School Cadets • The Invincible Eagle • King Cotton • The Liberty Bell • Manhattan Beach • Nobles of the Mystic Shrine • Semper Fidelis • The Stars and Stripes Forever • The Thunderer • and The Washington Post

Music from the Caribbean is instantly recognisable. It somehow conveys sunshine and lazy summers and is full of the ‘feel-good’ factor. It is this infectious happiness that composer Philip Sparke has tried to capture in Clarinet Calypso.

Band director and radio presenter Yutaka Nishida hails from Tokyo and has long been a friend of composer Philip Sparke. As well as conducting bands and teaching he also presents a weekly two-hour music program focusing on both brass and concertbands on the Japanese national radio station Digital Radio Musicbird.The program is called The Bandwagon and the radio station commissioned Philip Sparke to write a march which could be used as a theme tune for the program. The result is thisbright and breezy march in simple ABA form.

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.

This work was commissioned for The Berkshire Young Musicians Trust (England) who required a testing piece for the woodwind section of their concert band. The piece opens with a strong unison passage based on the interval of a fifth and develops with a passionate legato. This is followed by the main vivo section of the work based on the earlier 'fifth' figures. A bridge passage leads to a short chorale figure and a rhythmic climax which dissolves into a plaintive solo for oboe over staccato clarinets. Following a recapitulation of the main theme the oboe returns triumphantly before the opening unison passage reappears to provide a stirring coda.

Five Variations on the 'Brugg Song'-Kaleidoscope is a set of five variations of on the ‘Brugger Lied’ (Brugg Song) which is the traditional song of the town of Brugg. The lyrics tell of the geography people and traditions of this charming and historic town which is situated in the north of Switzerland near to the German border about halfway between Basel and Zurich.Each variation is based on tiny extracts of the theme the whole piece therefore resembling the effect of a kaleidoscope which juxtaposes small fragments of colour in a constantly changing pattern.

In Classic Hymns Philip Sparke has taken 10 of the best-loved hymn tunes popular around the world and used them as the basis of a collection of short recital pieces ranging from simple descant arrangements to a full-blown theme and variations. Ideal for concert or contest use these charming pieces range in mood from triumphal to reflective and can provide that ‘musical moment’ and a time for meditation in church services and religious occasions of all kinds.

This popular Christmas carol has been expertly arranged for concert band by Philip Sparke. A must for all Christmas concerts.

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.

To A New Dawn was commissioned by the United States Continental Army Band - Captain Timothy J. Holtan Commander and Conductor.The brief was for a piece to celebrate the 3rd Millennium and it was the composer’s aim to provide a work which as well as looking forward to the challenges of the new century also contained moments of reflection about the last one.After a bright introduction featuring the trumpets a perky theme passing quickly through several keys appears on the woodwinds. A solo trumpet takes up a new theme over bubbling quavers (eighth notes) and this leads to a rhythmic figure on low clarinets followed by the upper woodwinds. A brass interlude follows and after ashort bridge passage an oboe takes up a contrasting legato tune that builds to a climax.An andante section follows with solos for horn and flugel horn (or trumpet) and a florid flute cadenza. A passionate climax leads back to the faster music and eventually to a full recapitulation revisiting the earlier material before a lively coda close the work as it began.

Klezmer music originated in the ‘shtetl’ (villages) and the ghettos of Eastern Europe where itinerant Jewish troubadours known as ‘klezmorim’ had performed at celebrations particularly weddings since the early Middle Ages. Since the 16th century lyrics had been added to klezmer music due to the ‘badkhn’ (the master of ceremony at weddings) to the ‘Purimshpil’ (the play of Esther at Purim) and to traditions of the Yiddish theatre but the term gradually became synonymous with instrumental music particularly featuring the violin and clarinet. In recent years it has again become very popular and in A Klezmer Karnival Philip Sparke has used three contrastingtraditional tunes to form a suite that will bring a true karnival atmosphere to any concert.

From the Paramount and DreamWorks Motion Picture S- Saving Private Ryan is certainly one of Steven Spielberg's most powerful films. The brilliant John Williams score creates part of this power. Hymn to the Fallen one of the most powerful and emotional melodies which appears during the closing credits evokes a feeling of hope and strength amid the overall tone of reverence. Philip Sparke has transcribed this moving work for fanfare band using John Williams original orchestral score as the source. For added effect this work can also be performed with a wordless chorus with parts being available separately.

The sarabande originated in the early 17th century and is a stately dance in triple time. It was popular in France and Spain but as a dance it quickly spread throughout the courts of Europe and the style was soon adopted into instrumental music in dance suites for solo instruments as well as orchestra. Something of this style has influenced Simple Sarabande and although its harmonic language is perhaps more up-to-date it could be seen as a ‘period piece’.

This series aims to present the significant concert band works of Philip Sparke in a format that enables any player to study their music whether or not they get the chance to play these pieces with their own band.

The English king Henry VIII (1491-1547) is mainly remembered for disposing of his wives on a regular basis and breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope Clement VII refused to grant him a divorce so he could marry Anne Boleyn.As a young man he was a gifted athlete dancer and composer writing many songs poems and consort pieces (though not Greensleeves as is often believed). Pastime with Good Company is undoubtedly the best-known of these written in the first years of the 16th century while he was still a handsome prince newly married to Catherine of Aragon and the envy of Europe. The lyrics tell of the joys of hunting dancing and singing and would have been sungas part of the court entertainment.This arrangement features a quartet of soloists and two solo drummers.