Singapore Celebration

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.

Composer Philip Sparke has long been fascinated by history’s pioneers. In all fields of human activity there has been someone with enormous vision who has made the first step into the unknown. Explorers have found new lands doctors have discovered new medicines and scientists are pushing the bounds of technology ever further. But there was always one ‘pathfinder’ someone who was not afraid of the unknown who dared to go one step further than anyone before him. The march is dedicated those pioneers who have risked everything for the sake of their vision.

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 its inspiration from the happy and sad masks that symbolise the Commedia dell?Arte (which features Harlequin as one of its main characters) and comprises of two movements a slow modal ballad followed by a frenetic faster movement. A fantastic showpiece for the euphonium and brass band.

Based on the hymn tune Dear Lord and Father of Mankind-Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918) is mostly remembered for the marvellous melodies of his hymn tunes such as Jerusalem and Repton. The latter first appeared in Parry’s oratorio Judith and was adapted as a hymn tune after the composer’s death. This fantastic cornet solo will give your section leader a real chance to shine.

Jesu bleibet meine Freude from Cantata 147-Bach’s appointment as the Cantor at Leipzig’s Thomaskirche in 1723 required him to produce a new cantata for every Sunday service. Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring is taken from his Cantata No.147 and is unusually elaborate treated more like an aria than a chorale. It is perhaps the best-loved cantata movement from Bach’s entire output and is a certain crowd pleaser for your concert programme.

Tuba & Piano-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.

Dating from the first decades of the 20th century and originating in vaudeville and the music hall the soft-shoe shuffle was danced by tap dancers wearing soft-shoes instead of their normal tap shoes. In this usually comic dance the shoes were rubbed on the surface of the stage producing a characteristic ‘swish’. Soft-shoe Shuffle can be made into a percussion feature by bringing the sandpaper blocks to the front of the stage - with added choreography if required! A wonderful piece of musical humour for your concerts.

(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

The history of rock and roll can be traced back as far as the musical influence of the first African slaves to arrive in North America. The style borrows heavily from rhythm and blues and early rock stars such as Ike Turner Bill Haley Chuck Berry Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley had a huge influence through the newly-invented juke box and liberated the youth of the day by giving them a music of their own. Rockin? Tumpets gives the young band a chance to rock and roll with the trumpets taking the lead. Treat your trumpets to this lively solosection feature.

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.

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).

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. 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 threecontrasting traditional tunes to form a suite that will bring a true karnival atmosphere to any concert.

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.

Rheinfelden Sketches-In each of the four movements of this major work for concert band the composer has tried to capture in music something of the spirit of this beautiful Swiss town of Rheinfelden which lies on the banks of the Rhein. The opening movement Promenade sees woodwind and brass alternating short melodic fragments leading to a noble melody from the horns. The dreamy Ballad features a saxophone solo and chorale-like melody. This leads via a four bar Interlude to the Scherzo which takes the form of a moto perpetuo.

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.

The Irish folk tune which appears towards the end of the piece is Slane a hymn tune version of the much older folk melody The Banks of the Bann . In Prelude on an Irish Folk Tune fragments of the folk tune hint at what is to come later in the piece but another folk-like tune is predominant. This later acts as a descant to Slane when it finally appears. Add a little Sparke sparkle to any concert with this lovely interlude.

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 fanfare bandrepertoire.

A lively upbeat concert march from the pen of the ever-popular Philip Sparke. The Centurion follows the conventional British march format. It is not technically demanding yet a successful performance will need skill and commitment from every player in the band. The Centurion will make an ideal opening piece for any indoor or outdoor concert and will be a popular item with both players and audiences alike.