...the quest for peace... is a tribute to the politician Adlai E.Stevenson (1900-1965) a former Governor of Illinois who spent much of his working life striving for peace during the ominous and troubled years of the Cold War.This majestic and noble work portrays the strength of character with which Stevenson dealt with the crisis between the USA and the USSR during this troubled time.A truly fitting tribute to this great man.

The Irish folk tune which appears towards the end of the piece is Slane a hymn tune version of the much older folk melody The Banks of the Bann . In Prelude on an Irish Folk Tune fragments of the folk tune hint at what is to come later in the piece but another folk-like tune is predominant. This later acts as a descant to Slane when it finally appears. Add a little Sparke sparkle to any concert with this lovely interlude.

This collection will provide fanfares for any occasion: concert opener presentation ceremony or celebrations of all kinds. The variety of styles and durations (from ten seconds to two minutes) will ensure you will always find the right fanfare for the right moment.

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.

Earth Water Sun Wind is a four movement work with the unifying theme of these four elements. The music varies from being purely descriptive of the movements’ titles to specific sound painting - Earth for example is pure music and non programmatic whereas Sun attempts to paint a specific sound picture. The Symphony as a whole concerns itself with man’s relationship with these monumental aspects of nature.

20 Progressive pieces with Piano Accompaniment-Philip Sparke’s Skilful Solos is the second volume of a progressive series of solo books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Following on from the first book in the series Starter Solos this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Solos introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrumental ranges new notes being introduced in a gradual and logical manner. Skilful Solos comes with a play-along CD. The advantages of playing eitherwith piano or CD accompaniment are that the beginning player can now experience the important aspects of ensemble playing from their earliest lessons thus developing the essential skills of listening while they play and maintaining strict tempo which is not always achieved when playing alone. Philip Sparke ’s Skilful Solos is the second volume of a progressive series of solo books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Following on from the first book in the series Starter Solos this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Solos introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrumental ranges new notes being introduced in a gradual and logical manner. Skilful Solos comes with a play-along CD.The advantages of playing either with Piano or CD accompaniment are that the beginning player can now experience the important aspects of ensemble playing from their earliest lessons thus developing the essential skills of listening while they play and maintaining strict tempo which is not always achieved when playing alone.

Although Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) is best known for his collaboration with W.S. Gilbert on their famous operettas he also wrote much instrumental chamber and orchestral music church anthems and around 20 secular part songs. One such song was The Long Day Closes which has remained in the popular repertoire of many male voice and mixed choirs. The melody is a combination of hushed hymn-like reverence and emotional intensity which provides the young band the opportunity to work on dynamics ensemble intonation and balance in ?chorale? style.

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 fanfare band can enjoy all the pomp and ceremony of the proms with this arrangement by Philip Sparke.

Eb Horn Solo-Aria was commissioned by and written for the remarkable tenor horn player Sheona White. The work opens with an accompanied recitative which leads to a change of key where the main melody is presented. This in turn serves as an introduction to another melodic idea marked calmato. The band takes up this theme and then takes centre stage with a passionate repeat of the main theme which is completed by the soloist. A cornet then plays the calmato theme against which the soloist plays a counter melody. This leads to a return of the opening recitative which brings the work to a peaceful close. A fantastic new addition to the solo repertoire for this much neglected soloinstrument. Aria was commissioned by and written for the remarkable Tenor Horn player Sheona White. The work opens with an accompanied recitative which leads to a change of key where the main melody is presented. This in turn serves as an introduction to another melodic idea marked calmato. The band takes up this theme and then takes centre stage with a passionate repeat of the main theme which is completed by the soloist. A Cornet then plays the calmato theme against which the soloist plays a counter melody. This leads to a return of the opening recitative which brings the work to a peaceful close. A fantastic new addition to the solo repertoire for this much neglectedsolo instrument.

The Camelot Chronicles is a series of contrasting musical tableaux each describing the famous characters from the Arthurian legend. Noone knows exactly where Camelot was situated (favourite choices areTintagel and Glastonbury) but the story has passed into legend and isthe subject of many poems and novels each of which have cloudedthe truth and added to the mystery. Let Philip Sparke?s music inspireyour band with this magical tale.

from Symphony No 6-This beautiful melody is taken from the final movement of Beethoven's sixth symphony which has the title Shepherds' Song: grateful feelings towards God after the storm. Bring the classic period alive with this great arrangement by Philip Sparke.

40 Progressive Studies-Following on from Starter Studies this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Studies introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrumental ranges. New notes are introduced in a gradual and logical manner; woodwind players are taken into their second octave learning to cross the ‘break’ as smoothly as possible.Longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Skilful Studies introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrumental ranges. new notes are introduced in a gradual and logical manner. Woodwind players are taken into their second octave learning to cross the break as smoothly as possible and brass players have their range extended both upwards and downwards.

(The Four Seasons)-Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) stands with Handel and J.S. Bach as one of the titanic figures of late Baroque composition. Not only was he lauded as a composer of vocal and instrumental works both sacred and secular he was without serious competition the most prolific composer of his age. In addition to hundreds of vocal works includingforty-nine operas he composed five hundred concertos. The Four Seasons are probably the best known of his concerti with the second movement

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.

Christina Rossetti wrote the words to this famous Christmas carol in 1872 in response to a request from the magazine Scribner's Monthly for a Christmas poem. They were set to music by Gustav Holst (1874-1934) for inclusion in the first edition (1906) of The English Hymnal edited by his life-long friend Ralph Vaughan Williams. Philip Sparke has carefully arranged the beautiful melody into this delightful version for concert band. A must for any Christmas concert.

Earth Water Sun Wind is a four movement work with the unifying theme of these four elements. The music varies from being purely descriptive of the movements’ titles to specific sound painting - Earth for example is pure music and non programmatic whereas Sun attempts to paint a specific sound picture. The Symphony as a whole concerns itself with man’s relationship with these monumental aspects of nature.

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 concert band can enjoy all the pomp and ceremony of the proms with this arrangement by Philip Sparke.

This piece is about a medieval legend The Treasure of Zolverknapp thatis associated with the region around the village Zolver in Luxembourg.It tells the tale of hidden treasure brave knights fierce battles silverand jewels and a devil?s curse! All of these combine to make The Legendof Celobrium a legendary concert work.

Meditation on 'Quem Pastores Laudavere'-Carol of the Shepherds is based on the hymn tune 'Quem Pastores Laudavere' which dates back to the 14th century and is widely known throughout the Christian world. Although the melody has been set to a number of different texts in different countries it was originally a carol celebrating the Christmas story in particular the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the shepherds. Carol of the Shepherds is based on the hymn tune 'Quem Pastores Laudavere' which dates back to the 14th century and is widely known throughout the Christian world. Although the melody has been set to a number of different texts in different countries it was originally a carol celebrating the Christmas story in particular the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the shepherds.

Variations on a melody by Adriaen Valerius (1575-1625)-Dutch composer artist and poet Adriaen Valerius is mostly remembered today for his collection of 79 songs for voice and lute or cittern published posthumously in 1626. Philip Sparke has taken one melody from this collection that tells of the War of Independence with Spain. The beautiful slow melody is followed by a series of lively variations to form an extremely entertaining piece that will bring great joy to all who perform and listen to it.