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. 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 havebeen sung as part of the court entertainment.This arrangement features a quartet of soloists and two solo drummers.

from Cantata No 208 'The Hunt Cantata'-The Hunt Cantata (No 208) is one of more than 20 secular cantatas. It contains the famous aria ‘Sheep May Safely Graze’ originally written for a rather large orchestra and mixed choir. Bring a little of the Baroque era to your concert with this first class arrangement by Philip Sparke.

The Latin American mood of the piece is a salute to the population of California a state which many feel still clearly displays its Mexican roots. The melody and intoxicating rhythm of the music oozes excitement thus ensuring every single member of your audience will go home in a joyous mood!

During his short lifetime Max Reger (1873-1916) was a prolific composer with many of his best known works being composed for organ. The ten chorale preludes in this selection are from his set of Thirty Short Chorale Preludes Op.135a composed as short voluntaries for liturgical use rather than for recitals in these arrangements Philip Sparke has kept this in mind and each prelude can be performed with minimal instrumentation for those occasions where a small band is needed. They also make great pieces for band warm-ups or studies in intonation sound and balance.

from Hymn of the Highlands - for Bb Piccolo Trumpet (or Eb Cornet/Trumpet) Solo-The seven-movement suite for brass band Hymn of the Highlands was commissioned by David King and the Yorkshire Building Society Band and provides a series of themed movements which can act as a half-concert featuring a band’s soloists. Flowerdale is one of the solo movements. This solo is also available with piano accompaniment edition no. AMP 285.

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 contrasting traditionaltunes to form a suite that will bring a true karnival atmosphere to any concert.

Le Midwest est une vaste région du centre des États-Unis entre la Côte Est et l'Ouest américain. Fondé le 19 septembre 1857 l’Orchestre d’Harmonie Municipal de Decatur (Illinois États-Unis) est une des plus anciennes formations civiles américaines. Depuis sa création l’orchestre n’a jamais cessé de participer activement à la vie florissante de la cité se produisant lors de concerts en intérieur ou en plein air de parades ou de certains événements spéciaux.À la demande de Jim Culbertson directeur musical de l’orchestre Philip Sparke fut chargé d’écrire une pièce qui illustre la longue et riche histoire de la formation à travers un répertoire varié qui s’étend de l’universclassique avec ses ouvertures et marches jusqu’aux œuvres originales et arrangements d’œuvres récents. A Midwest Celebration s’inspire de quelques célèbres ouvertures orchestrales du XIXe siècle écrites par de grands compositeurs tels que Berlioz Verdi et Suppé. L’introduction est florissante. Tout s’apaise lorsqu’apparaît une mélodie aux courbes harmonieuses jouée par les cors les clarinettes et les saxophones. Mais à peine commence-t-il à se développer que le thème est brutalement interrompu par l’intervention des trompettes qui ouvrent un vertigineux passage Vivace illuminé par des fanfares brillantes (cuivres) et une profusion d’éléments d’ornementation (bois). Les cors reprennent l’exposition de la mélodie initiale soutenus par la douceur ondulante des flûtes. Soudain les lignes mélodiques du Vivace resurgissent et balayent la musique pour progresser vers leur intensité maximale point de rencontre entre les deux thématiques qui mènent le composition vers sa conclusion.

This piece depicts the refined beauty of the Grand Canyon at sunrise and sunset. These are the best times to view the Canyon with the sun low in the sky casting shadows that give depth and form to the vast panorama. Angel’s Gate is one of the many named rock formations in the canyon. The composer has tried to depict the sights and sounds of dawn birdsong in the early morning sky and the gradual revelation of the Canyon itself as sunlight reaches into its rocky depths.Towards the end of the piece to the sound of a tolling bell we are however reminded of the dangers that the beauty of the Grand Canyon so cleverly hides.

The history of rock and roll can be traced back as far as the musical influence of the first African slaves to arrive in North America. The style borrows heavily from rhythm and blues and early rock stars such as Ike Turner Bill Haley Chuck Berry Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley had a huge influence through the newly-invented juke box and liberated the youth of the day by giving them a music of their own. Rockin? Tumpets gives the young band a chance to rock and roll with the trumpets taking the lead. Treat your trumpets to this lively solosection feature.

Philip Sparke 's A Quiet Moment for Brass Band. Score and parts.

Based on the hymn tune Dear Lord and Father of Mankind-Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918) belongs to a forgotten generation of English composers who are often over-shadowed by Sir Edward Elgar and the result has been that much of their work is little played or forgotten. In Parry?s case he is now mostly remembered for his hymn tunes such as Jerusalem and Repton both marvellous melodies of course. The latter first appeared in Parry?s oratorio Judith and was adapted as a hymn tune after the composer?s death.The solo part can be played by a trumpet clarinet or alto saxophone and will give yourchosen soloist a chance to shine.

The south-western US state of Arizona has more than its fair share of stunning landscapes natural phenomena and National Monuments. Best known is the Grand Canyon but there are also numerous deserts a petrified forest extinct volcanoes and the huge Sunset Crater. Not surprisingly it has featured as the backdrop to many Western movies.The Painted Desert is a narrow crescent-shaped arc about 160 miles long which begins near the Grand Canyon and varies in width from 10 to 35 miles. It is largely void of vegetation and years of erosion by wind and rain have exposed sedimentary layers of rock up to 250 million years old. Chemical differences in the various layers result in aneffect not unlike a multicoloured layer cake with contrasting hues of red orange and pink blue grey and lavender creating a silent and barren landscape which looks like it has been hand-painted. As with much of the planet’s stunning landscapes all the observer can do is stand and stare.

(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 Largo portraying time spent by a roaring firelistening to the rain pounding against the window.This new arrangement for concert band retains allthe warmth of the original.

Philip Sparke’s Starter Studies is the first volume of a progressive series of study books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician.This collection of 65 studies offers a choice of starting note to suit individual tastes and carefully introduces new musical elements such as articulation dynamics and key signatures in a structured progression to speed the learning process.

Everyone will instantly recognize this great patriotic hymn that is often thought of as the second English national anthem. This fanfare band arrangement by Philip Sparke is sure to be used over and over again at your band’s performances. Your audience will not be able to help themselves from joining in with this rousing song everytime you use it as the final item in any concer

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.

To celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Stadtmusikkapelle Wilten in Innsbruck Philip Sparke composed Wilten Festival Overture. A bold fanfare led by the horns forms the opening of the work from which an expressive theme unfolds until the full band reaches a climax. Short solo statements from saxophone horn and trumpet lead to a recapitulation of this theme which melts into a rhythmic Vivo. A robust melody is is then played by the clarinets and taken up by the whole band before a legato figure leads to a cantabile theme again presented by the clarinets. The original Vivo melody reappears before the opening fanfare is briefly heard and the work comes to an end with ashort Coda. A great experience for the whole band!

Born in Jarrow northeast England in 1949 John Miles was something of a child prodigy learning the piano from the age of five. In the early ’60s he persuaded his father to buy him a guitar and by the end of the decade he had joined a semi-professional band The Influence. The group soon disbanded and by 1969 Miles was recording with his own group The John Miles Band releasing a dozen singles in the early ’70s. In 1975 Miles decided to move to London and secured a deal with Decca Records. By October that year a newly formed band John Miles and Co had released their debut single Highfly but their greatest hit which stormed the British charts in March 1976 was Music.

This march from Philip Sparke is in the tradition of the English ceremonial or concert march such as the masterpieces written by Sir Edward Elgar and Sir William Walton. It attempts to continue this tradition with a march for intermediate band that has all the recognisable hallmarks such as broad melodies counter melodies and a nobilmente trio.

Lively and upbeat in nature The Centurion follows the conventional British march format. It is not technically demanding yet a successful performance will need skill and commitment from every player in the band. The Centurion will make an ideal opening piece for any indoor or outdoor concert and will be a popular item with both players and audiences alike.