from Messiah-This piece needs no introduction as it remains one of the most popular classics of all time. Enthuse your performers and audiences alike with this fantastic arrangement of the Handel classic from his masterwork The Messiah.

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.

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.

The original concept for this work was a suite of short movements each with its own character but by the time the first movement was complete it was clear that a conventional three-movement format was going to work out better. The opening movement contains much syncopation and is almost rag-like in style. The slower second movement explores the unsurpassable ability of the euphonium to play lyrically with a theme that is later taken up by the band whilst the soloist weaves a filigree descant. This leads straight into the third movement which is almost bebop in style and shows off the jazzier capabilities of the euphonium. The concerto was composed for the virtuoso soloist Steven Mead. A version for euphonium and piano is also available.

The Battell was written during the late 14th Century when England was in a mood of national celebration after victory over the Spanish and French Armadas.The movement which Byrd called Marche Before The Battell became known as The Earl of Oxford?s Marchand it appears with that title in an early manuscript copy of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book.Written while Byrd was at the height of his powers it still stirs the soul to this day. A perfect opener for your concert performances.

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.

from The Four Noble Truths-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.

Band director and radio presenter Yutaka Nishida hails from Tokyo and is the Frank Renton of the Japanese brass band world. He presents a weekly two-hour music programme on the Japanese national radio station Digital Radio Musicbird. The programme is called The Bandwagon and the station commissioned Philip Sparke to compose a march which could be used as the theme tune. The result is this bright and breezy march in simple ABA form. A great lively item for any concert.

Flugel Horn Tenor Horn & Baritone Trio from Hymn-The River Alladale provides the inspiration for this lyrical piece which has a lilting melody with an unmistakeable Scottish feel. The trio of Flugel Horn Tenor Horn and Baritone provide a wonderful sense of flowing with the river which as the piece progresses broadens and grows stronger as it nears the outlet to the sea by the Summer Isles. Bring a touch of Scots magic to your concert with this delightful piece.

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.

Christmas as celebrated in England is a relatively newtradition dating from the time of Queen Victoria. Herhusband Prince Albert was from Germany and he broughtmany German Christmas traditions with him including theChristmas tree and Christmascards and even carols such asHark the Herald Angels Sing. Philip Sparke has however useda varied selection of English melodies to arrange into his?Festival of Carols?.The choir parts are seperately available (order no. AMP 227-050). Christmas as celebrated in England is a relatively new tradition dating from the time of Queen Victoria. Her husband Prince Albert was from Germany and he brought many German Christmas traditions with him including the Christmas tree and Christmas cards and even carols such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Philip Sparke has however used a varied selection of English melodies to arrange into his Festival of Carols . The choir parts are seperately available (order no. AMP 227-050).

25 Famous Carols-Philip Sparke’s Classic Christmas brings together 25 of the most popular Christmas carols which can either be played with the CD accompaniments or with organ or piano using the separate accompaniment book which fits with all the instrumental books. They can be performed as solos and are all in suitable keys to accompany congregational singing. Twenty-five famous Christmas carols for Instrumental solos or Ensembles with the same instruments. Includes a Play along CD of accompaniments and demonstration tracks.

from The Four Noble Truths-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.

Music from the Caribbean is instantly recognisable. It somehow conveys sunshine and lazy summers and is full of the ‘feel-good’ factor. It is this infectious happiness that composer Philip Sparke has tried to capture in Clarinet Calypso.

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 fanfare band can enjoy all the pomp and ceremony of the proms with this arrangement by Philip Sparke.

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.

Clarinet & Piano-This substantial new work is based on the standard three-movement format of a classical concerto but this is where the similarity ends. The opening movement contains much syncopation and is in an almost rag-like style. The contrasting second movement is full of emotion with lush harmonies in the piano accompaniment. Jazz reappears in the final movement which is almost bee-bop in style and shows off the jazzier side of the clarinet. This fantastic new work is a must for any clarinet recital.

Euphonium Solo-A Final Fling was written at the request of David Childs for a CD recording with a Celtic theme which he released in 2007. The phrase ‘a final fling’ means a last quick effort at doing something perhaps when this item is used as an encore and also a fling is a type of Scottish Highland dance which tied in with the Celtic theme. A light- hearted piece A Final Fling starts in the mood of a folk dance and quotes from The Irish Washerwoman before flying to a close. A perfect way to put your euphonium player in the spotlight.

Contest March-Philip Sparke wrote this march for the famous brass band contest held ever year on Whit Friday in Oldham and Saddleworth. Given the competition’s long history (over 120 years) he consciously composed this piece in a very traditional march form. The title The Conqueror refers to Alexander the Great’s nickname as well as being something every band aspires to be!

Erbarme Dich mein Gott from St Matthew Passion- Have Mercy Lord from J.S. Bach’s St Matthew Passion is one of the most beautiful arias from the baroque period. In Philip Sparke’s arrangement it is envisaged that the soloists stand together as a group stage right while the other musicians stand behind to form the tutti group. This piece is easily playable for both the soloists and the band and will create a beautiful moment of reflection whether performed on the concert stage or in a church.