MASQUERADE was commissioned by Stadtmusik Willisau from Switzerland (Reto Güdel conductor) to celebrate their 175th anniversary in 2003 and first performed by them in November that year. 1. OvertureThe first movement opens with a fanfare-like figure featuring the brass before the main them is introduced over staccato chords. After a short syncopated interlude a legato theme is introduced in the tenor register and material is developed until the music slows temporarily. The opening theme returns and the ‘tenor’ tune is taken up by the whole band until the opening fanfare returns to close the movement. 2. ElegyThe slow movement opens intensely with a bare two-part theme whichleads to a passionate chorale-style melody. A second theme is introduced and leads to a climax a return of the chorale theme and a pianissimo repeat which again leads to a full-band climax. The two-part theme returns quietly to create a peaceful close. 3 InterludeA short movement which changes the mood to introduce:- 4 FinaleThree violent chords preface a lively syncopated opening theme. The trumpets introduce a second idea which is treated fugally and this in turn leads to the main melodic idea of the movement over staccato chords. A contrasting subject is then introduced in the middle of the band followed by echoes of the first movement fanfare. The opening theme returns and material is revisited until the opening fanfare returns in full to end the work triumphantly.

Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece but has been designed specifically for occasions such as weddings or graduation ceremonies where it?s duration can be altered according to your needs.A must for any ceremonial occasion.

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.

from The Four Noble Truths- The Four Noble Truths was commissioned by the Dutch National Brass Band Championships for their 2003 competition. The Four Noble Truths are the most basic expression of the teaching of Buddha and therefore still form the guidelines for Buddhists to this day. They concern themselves with Dukkha which has no exact translation but can mean suffering stress or sadness etc. Magga is The Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Dukkha - the Fourth Noble Truth - which gives us a description of eight disciplines which can help us eliminate the origins of stress from our lives.

The last decades of the 20th century saw man's first steps in space exploration. Since the first moon landing by Neil Armstrong in 1969 these adventures in outer space have captured the public's imagination and have given birth to scores of science fiction movies books and TV series that have tackled the subject. Infinity and Beyond... takes as its inspiration the wonderful film scores of composers such as John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith who have almost invented a style which could be called 'space music'.Opening with a rhythmic bass figure Infinity and Beyond... begins with a robust introduction in 3/4 which leads to the main theme in 4/4 played by the full band. Ashort bridge passage utilising the interval of a fourth leads to a modal central section featuring first the trumpets and then played by the whole band; this in turn leads back to a repeat of the introduction until the main theme returns to bring the piece to a close.

Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece but has been designed specifically for occasions such as weddings or graduation ceremonies where it?s duration can be altered according to your needs.A must for any ceremonial occasion.

60 Progressive Duets for Trombones or Euphoniums BC-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.

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.

A Stroll in the Park is a piece in the tradition of ?walking? music (such as the Promenade from Mussorgsky?s Pictures at an Exhibition or Gershwin?s Walking the Dog from Shall we Dance?). It strives to describe the joyful benefits of a relaxing walk in a city park on a summer Sunday afternoon and should be played in a relaxed carefree and laidback manner.

Philip Sparke has taken this traditional melody and produced an attractive arrangement for concert band. The piece is ideal for use in Christmas concerts and is guaranteed to get everyone’s toes tapping - players and audience alike.

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.

When writing his tuba concerto Philip Sparke wanted to create a work which explored the many aspects of the instrument’s technical and vocal qualities but without resorting to caricature. The result is a concerto in two joined movements which can both be programmed individually that contains both many lyrical lines together with stunning virtuosic passages. An outstanding concerto that tuba players and brass band audiences alike will enjoy and applaud.

In The Pioneers Philip Sparke salutes the bicentenary of an expedition by two all time American heroes - Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They were commissioned by US President Thomas Jefferson to find the headwaters of the Missouri and a route to the Pacific following the Louisiana Purchase which doubled the size of the USA. They set out as the ‘Corps of Discovery’ from Louisville Kentucky in May 1804 and not only did they succeed in reaching the Pacific through hostile territory but also found their way back - in 3 years! The piece is not descriptive of the journey but gives the composer the opportunity to celebrate the 200th anniversary of this amazing feat. Add atouch of the wild-west to any concert with this exciting work.

Music of the Spheres was commissioned by the Yorkshire Building Society Band and first performed by them at the European Brass Band Championships in Glasgow May 2004. The piece reflects the composers fascination with the origins of theuniverse and deep space in general. The title comes from a theory formulated by Pythagoras that the cosmos was ruled by the same laws he had discovered that govern the ratios of note frequencies of the musical scale. (‘Harmonia’ in Ancient Greek which means scale or tuning rather than harmony - Greek music was monophonic). He also believed that these ratios corresponded to the distances of the six known planets from the sun and thatthe planets each produced a musical note which combined toweave a continuous heavenly melody (which unfortunately we humans cannot hear). In this work these six notes form the basis of the sections Music of the Spheres and Harmonia . The pieces opens with a horn solo called t = 0 a namegiven by some scientists to the moment of the Big Bang when time and space were created and this is followed by a depiction of the Big Bang itself as the entire universe bursts out from a single point. A slower section follows called The Lonely Planet which is a meditation on the incredible and unlikely set of circumstances which led to the creation of the Earth as a planet that can support life and the constant search for other civilizations elsewhere in the universe. Asteroids and Shooting Stars depicts both the benign and dangerous objects that are flying through space and which constantly threaten our planet and the piece ends with The Unknown leaving in question whether our continuallyexpanding exploration of the universe will eventually lead to enlightenment or destruction. Music of the Spheres was commissioned by the Yorkshire Building Society Band and first performed by them at the European Brass Band Championships in Glasgow May 2004. The piece reflects the composers fascination with the origins of the universe and deep space in general. The title comes from a theory formulated by Pythagoras that the cosmos was ruled by the same laws he had discovered that govern the ratios of note frequencies of the musical scale. (Harmonia' in Ancient Greek which means scale or tuning rather than harmony - Greek music was monophonic). He also believed that these ratios corresponded to the distances of the sixknown planets from the sun and thatthe planets each produced a musical note which combined to weave a continuous heavenly melody (which unfortunately we humans cannot hear). In this work these six notes form the basis of the sections Music of the Spheres and Harmonia . The pieces opens with a horn solo called t = 0 a name given by some scientists to the moment of the Big Bang when time and space were created and this is followed by a dep

Suite of Israeli Folk Songs-The long history of Jewish folk song has resulted in a rich and varied repertoire of songs which deal with religion history festival and celebration. The melodies featured in Shalom! reflect this panoply of subjects and range widely in mood from lament to rejoicing.

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.

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 brass band.

Morning Song features the horn quartet mostly in a soloistic role - indeed there is an accompanied cadenza towards the end of the piece - but there are moments where the horns assume their conventional fanfare band role as harmonic support or playing the counter melody. This expressive composition shows all the versatility of the horn quartet and gives them the chance to be in the spotlight.

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.

In The Pioneers Philip Sparke salutes the bicentenary of an expedition by two all time American heroes - Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They were commissioned by US President Thomas Jefferson to find the headwaters of the Missouri and a route to the Pacific following the Louisiana Purchase which doubled the size of the USA. They set out as the ‘Corps of Discovery’ from Louisville Kentucky in May 1804 and not only did they succeed in reaching the Pacific through hostile territory but also found their way back - in 3 years! The piece is not descriptive of the journey but gives the composer the opportunity to celebrate the 200th anniversary of this amazing feat. Add a touchof the wild-west to any concert with this exciting work.