Norfolk is one of the most beautiful counties in England famous for its charming villages and boundless broads a popular centre for sailing holidays. It is also the home of one of the best known of all British composers Sir Malcolm Arnold. The date of the premiere of this piece was to fall close to his 80th birthday so Philip Sparke decided to write something of a birthday tribute. Some of Arnold’s best-loved orchestral works are his sets of dances: there are two sets of English Dances Four Scottish Dances Four Cornish Dances etc. most of which have been arranged for concert band at one time or another. Philip Sparke thought it would be appropriate for the concert band tohave its own set of dances and wrote Four Norfolk Dances very much in the style of Arnold’s suites.

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.

Dances and Alleluias was commissioned by the British Federation of Brass Bands for the inaugural English National Brass Band Championships held in the Lyric Theatre at The Lowry Salford Quays on July 1st 2006. In this fantastic work the composer mixes wonderful slow music vocal in nature and ecstatic in mood along with faster dances to create a challenging piece which will bring out the best in any band.

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.

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

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.

Paul and Barry Ryan were identical twin sons of 1950’s pop singer Marion Ryan and were born on 24th October 1948. They were groomed for stardom and had started singing as a duo before their fifteenth birthday. They were signed by Decca in 1965 and brilliantly marketed as clean-cut fashion icons. Their first single ‘Don’t Bring Me Your Heartaches’ reached the UK top twenty but their success as twin performers lasted only three years. In 1968 Barry embarked on a solo career while Paul concentrated on writing and producing. Eloise with its melodramatic vocal style and heavily orchestrated backing was an early success of this new collaboration and went on to be covered by a variety ofartists including punk legends The Damned.

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.

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. The four truths are Dukkha which describes times of major stress in our lives - birth aging desire and death; Samudaya which describes those parts of our life that induce stress feeling craving desire; Nirodha which tells us how to eliminate those aspects of our lives which induce stress and Magga which describes the eight didciplines which can help us eliminate the origins of stress from our lives. It can be seen from these over-simplified definitions that the Four Noble Truths fall into two pairs the first two describingthe origins of stress and the second two describing how we can reduce stress. To reflect this the four movements of this work are also combined into two pairs - two quick movements and two slow movements. A fascinating work from this great English composer.

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.

Over a period of four decades Jimmy Webb (b. 1946) has written hits for a number of singers including Glen Campbell Art Garfunkel Frank Sinatra Willie Nelson Johnny Cash and Linda Ronstadt. His songs are often epic in character and include By the Time I Get to Phoenix; Up Up and Away; Didn’t We; Wichita Lineman and Galveston. MacArthur Park (1968) was unlike anything that had gone before it. Running at over 7 minutes it is 2 or 3 times the length of most pop songs and has an extended orchestral interlude. Richard Harris’ seminal recording topped the music charts in Europe while peaking at number two on the U.S. charts. Philip Sparke has made this excellentarrangement for brass band which is sure to become a regular feature on your concert programme.

from The Danserye-This sparkling dance from the 1500s will bring a unique musical quality to your concert programme. Ancient rhythmic and harmonic sounds will delight your audience as you perform this endearing outdoor piece to be played strong and full of life.

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.

20 Progressive pieces for Clarinet 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. Twenty progressive pieces with piano accompaniment for Clarinet.

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.

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.

(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 doubt the most prolific composer of his age. In addition to hundreds of vocal works including forty-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 fire listening to the rain pounding against the window. This new arrangement for brass band retains all the warmth of the original.

This piece was inspired by the composer watching his young son Benny playing ‘soldiers’ with his collection of teddy bears - how appropriate!But it made him think of the many character pieces which take the form of a ‘toy march’ the most notable examples being by Haydn Tchaikovsky and Leon Jessel. Parade of the Clockwork Soldiers is in the form of a ‘patrol’ (starting and ending quietly with a louder middle) and aims to represent a band marching past the listener. In fact where the hall layout permits it it could be possible to add a little choreography to the piece starting and ending with only a few instruments on stage.

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. The four truths are Dukkha which describes times of major stress in our lives - birth aging desire and death; Samudaya which describes those parts of our life that induce stress feeling craving desire; Nirodha which tells us how to eliminate those aspects of our lives which induce stress and Magga which describes the eight didciplines which can help us eliminate the origins of stress from our lives. It can be seen from these over-simplified definitions that the Four Noble Truths fall into two pairs the first two describingthe origins of stress and the second two describing how we can reduce stress. To reflect this the four movements of this work are also combined into two pairs - two quick movements and two slow movements. A fascinating work from this great English composer.

Out of the Darkness Into the Light is about optimism. All of us experience disappointments in our lives such failed relationships or the loss of loved ones but the indomitability of the human spirit allows us to overcome such set backs and get through the darker moments. For some faith and religion may be the answer but this piece is more about the internal strength that we can all call upon.Opening in sombre mood the first phase of the work symbolises the doubts we all have about ourselves and our lives. The opening phrase on solo clarinet appears throughout the piece and could be seen as the central idea of the work the human spirit itself. The faster centralsection is about the struggle to overcome the pain we experience and at bar 88 the moment of catharsis occurs. This signals a change of mood and from then on the clarinet motif is transformed into a feeling of joy and optimism. We have entered the light.