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.

Merry-Go-Round is a mini concerto for band in which each section takes a turn as soloist. On a merry-go-round the viewpoint is constantly changing this being portrayed by different instrumental groups playing variations on the main theme continually coming to the fore. This attractive work will bring all the excitement of the fairground to your concert.

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.

Super Studies brings this series to a close with 26 more advanced studies which introduce such things as double and triple tonguing lip flexibility breath control and finger strength. By the time you have mastered the studies in this book you will be a ready to face any advanced solo work. Philip Sparke 's Super Studies brings the Progressive Studies series to a close with 26 more advanced studies which introduce techniques such as double and triple tonguing lip flexibility breath control and finger strength. By the time you have mastered the studies in this book you will be ready to face any advanced solo work. This book is suitable for Trombones in both treble clef and bass clef.

from Cantata No 208 'The Hunt Cantata'-There are just over twenty secular cantatas in Bach's prolific output which include The Coffee Cantata (No 211) The Wedding Cantata (No 202) Phoebus and Pan (No 201) and the Hunt Cantata (No 208) which contains the famous aria Sheep May Safely Graze. Written for four vocal soloists it was originally scored for a relatively large orchestra (including flutes (recorders) oboes and horns) and mixed choir. Although secular in character the words describe how well a faithful shepherd keeps watch over his flock and hence has obvious allusions to the teachings of the Christian church. Bring a bit of the Baroque era to your concert with this first class arrangement by Philip Sparke.

This is an ancient Welsh air that was first published in Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1794. Dafydd (David) Owain was a famous Welsh bard who lived on a farm called Gareg Wen (The White Rock) in Eifionydd Carnarnvonshire North Wales. Tradition has it that on his deathbed he called for his harp and composed this lovely melody requesting that it be played at his funeral. Accordingly it was later played at the parish church of Ynys-Cynhaiarn. Lyrics were later added by Ceiriog Hughes which describe the melody's inspiration. This version for concert band retains all the beauty and simplicity of the original.This is an ancient Welsh air that was first published in Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1794. Dafydd (David) Owain was a famous Welsh bard who lived on a farm called Gareg Wen (The White Rock) in Eifionydd Carnarnvonshire North Wales. Tradition has it that on his deathbed he called for his Harp and composed this lovely melody requesting that it be played at his funeral. Accordingly it was later played at the parish church of Ynys-Cynhaiarn. Lyrics were later added by Ceiriog Hughes which describe the melody's inspiration. This version for Concert Band retains all the beauty and simplicity of the original.

Meditation on 'O come O come Immanuel'-The Advent hymn we all know today as O Come O Come Immanuel was arranged in its modern form by Thomas Helmore and published in Hymnal Noted in 1856. Both the words and melody however predate this version by centuries.The tune Veni Immanuel is taken from a 15th century processional of French Franciscan nuns part of the setting for the funeral hymn Libera Me . This arrangement aims to expand on the power and mystery of the original tune and will be most effective if the solo trumpet at the start and end of the piece can be placed away from the band maybe at the back of the auditorium.

Harlequin was commissioned by and is dedicated to euphonium virtuoso David Childs. The piece takes as its inspiration the happy and sad masks which symbolise the Commedia dell'Arte (which features Harlequin as one of its main characters) and comprises two movements a slow modal ballad followed by a frenetic faster movement. A fantastic showpiece for euphonium and 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 asemi-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 dealwith 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 .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 .

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.