20 Progressive pieces for Horn with Piano Accompaniment-Philip Sparke’s Starter Solos is the first volume of a progressive series of books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument this collection of 20 solos starts with pieces based on only a handful of notes and carefully introduces new musical elements such as articulation dynamics and key signatures in a structured progression to speed the learning process. The books provide invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method. Starter Solos comes with a play-along CD. The advantages of playing either with piano or CD accompaniment are that the beginning player can nowexperience 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 a factor when playing alone. Philip Sparke’s Starter Solos is the first volume of a progressive series of books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument this collection of 20 solos starts with pieces based on only a handful of notes and carefully introduces new musical elements such as articulation dynamics and key signatures in a structured progression to speed the learning process. The books provide invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method. Starter 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 theimportant 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 a factor when playing alone.

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.

London is one of the largest busiest and most vibrant of capital cities and hosts millions of visitors from around the world every year who come to enjoy its many attractions and rich history. From the daily Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace to the annual Trooping the Colour which celebrates the Queen's official birthday ceremony plays an important part in London life and symbolises the city for many tourists. A London Intrada celebrates this love of ‘Pomp and Circumstance’.

What a way to open any concert. The Black Horse Troopis one of John Philip Sousa?s best known marches and was described by the great Frederick Fennell as ?a regimental march of classic content and proportions one which serves as a model for all that are similar to it ...? Treat your band with this fantastic march.

Whilst making no claims to be stylistically authentic this little piece aims to capture the infectious spirit of mariachi a word whose origins are lost in the mists of time but which describes not only the performers (on guitars vihuelas violins trumpets and harp) but also the music itself. Their music speaks of love passion politics life in the country and revolutionary heroes but is unerringly uplifting in style and immediately recognisable as the spirit of Mexico. A chance to add that Spanish flavour to your concerts.

As the title suggests this piece comprises a set of variations on an original chorale which is presented in the opening bars.The chorale uses the dark middle and lower sections of the band and is extended with minor variations until a pause leads to the first real variation marked Vivo. This is in the form of a moto perpetuo. The second variation is a beautiful Andante introduced by a solo clarinet. Following a full band climax the final variation opens with quiet nervous energy until its main theme is introduced.The chorale makes a brief appearance until the main theme reappears. This leads to a triumphant final augmented statement of the chorale theme decorated by theflorid clarinet theme in the upper woodwinds. A dazzling new concert work.

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.

Composer Philip Sparke is fascinated by the early history of the American west in particular the incredible expedition undertaken by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark who were despatched by President Thomas Jefferson in the first decade of the nineteenth century to map the headwaters of the Missouri River and establish a route to the Pacific: a two-year journey that led them across the uncharted Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. Big Sky Overture depicts the vastness and beauty of this area and will bring a feel of the Wild West to any concert.

Variations on Ein' feste Burg-Between the Two Rivers was commissioned by Fanfare ‘Prins Hendrik’ from Aalst in the Netherlands. The title derives from the fact that the town of Aalst lies between two tributaries of the River Dommel. The community is a highly religious one so the famous Luther chorale Ein’ Feste Burg was an obvious choice for Philip Sparke to use as the theme for this new work. It takes the form of a theme with four contrasting variations. Variation 1 is a moto perpetuo variation 2 has a slower march like feel variation 3 is a sinister slow movement and the final variation is in the form of a lyrical fugue. Between The Two Rivers is sure to become a major work in modern brass bandrepertoire.

Suite from Hymn of the Highlands draws three expressivemusical pictures of the Scottish highlands. The first movement Ardross Castle contains solo passages for horn andbaritone and features a fascinating bagpipe melody. Thesecond movement Alladale is a trio for tenor horn flugelhorn and baritone with an accompaniment featuring thepercussion section. The final movement Dundonnell features two highly contrasting melodies a wild prestoand the bagpipe melody first heard in the first movement.Complete score and full set of parts for Philip Sparke's Suite From Hymn To The Highlands for Brass Band. This work draws three expressive musical pictures of the Scottish highlands. The first movement Ardross Castle contains solo passages for horn and baritone and features a fascinating bagpipe melody. The second movement Alladale is a trio for tenor horn flugel horn and baritone with an accompaniment featuring the percussion section. The final movement Dundonnell features two highly contrasting melodies a wild presto and the bagpipe melody first heard in the first movement.

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 fanfare band. A must for any Christmas concert.

Composer Philip Sparke is fascinated by the early history of the American west in particular the incredible expedition undertaken by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark who were despatched by President Thomas Jefferson in the first decade of the nineteenth century to map the headwaters of the Missouri River and establish a route to the Pacific: a two-year journey that led them across the uncharted Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. Big Sky Overture depicts the vastness and beauty of this area and will bring a feel of the Wild West to any concert.

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

A saxophone feature based on the Passion Chorale-This timeless melody by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612) is now chiefly remembered because of its inclusion in J S Bach?s St.Matthew Passion(hence its title) where it is treated to a variety of rich harmonisations.This setting features alto and tenor saxophones who first play a lyrical descant to the famous hymn tune and then the melody itself against a Bach-like obbligato in the upper woodwinds.This fabulous new arrangement presents a wonderful opportunity to feature your saxophones.

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.

Beethoven’s York’scher Marsch is one of a collection of three tattoos (WoO 18-20) and has had a chequered history to say the least. There are several autograph copies for different instrumentations dedicated to different archdukes who were commanders of various regiments of the army including the Prussian regiment called Marsch des Yorkschen Corps which is how its current title arose. Philip Sparke’s arrangement enables a march by this major classical composer to be enjoyed by concert bands.

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.

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

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.

Marchissimo will make a fantastic opening piece for any concert. It does however come with a twist! It can be played simply as written but is really designed to be ‘staged’ with players coming on the concert platform one by one as they begin to play. The piece actually consists of three marches in one each of which highlights a section of the band. The piece culminates in a final climax where all three march themes are played simultaneously.