20 Progressive pieces for Euphonium or Baritone 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. 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 now experience theimportant 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.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Philip Sparke’s sumptuous arrangement of this Stephen Foster classic will make a perfect item to bring a few minutes of peace and calm tranquillity to any concert. The lush harmonies so characteristic of Philip Sparke’s arranging are augmented with exquisite solo figures for cornet and flugel horn. Once you have played this you will want it on every concert programme.

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.

Prelude to a Celebration is a fantastic way to open any concert inthe tradition of great symphonic openers. The work starts with atriumphant yet majestic fanfare from the trumpet section which givesthe basis for the whole work. A rollicking and driving faster sectionfollows for the woodwind which leads into a broader trio before theopening fanfare returns to bring the work to a majestic conclusion.Whatever the occasion (or celebration) Prelude to a Celebration isone piece that is sure to have your audience on the edge of theirseat and start your performance off in the finest of styles.

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.

from Hymn of the Highlands - Soprano Cornet Solo- Flowerdale is a forest in Wester Ross Scotland which is well-known for it’s beautiful waterfall. This piece for solo soprano cornet is one of the movements from Philip Sparke’s epic suite Hymn of the Highlands . It depicts the tall trees swaying gently in the wind with the serenity of the area being reflected by the subtle accompaniment of the band. Let your soprano player bloom into colour with this exquisite solo. A real show stopper.

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.

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.

The choir parts are seperately available (order no. AMP 227-050).

Navigation Inn was originally written for brass band to celebrate one of the most famous events of the brass band calendar - the Whit Friday marches. The Navigation Inn is a pub which is a popular meeting place for bandsmen. This version for concert band is in the style of a traditional contest style march and will bring a great sense of tradition to all concerts.

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.

Philip Sparke’s Starter Studies is the first volume of a progressive series of study books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician.This collection of 65 studies offers a choice of starting note to suit individual tastes and carefully introduces new musical elements such as articulation dynamics and key signatures in a structured progression to speed the learning process.

Sparkling woodwinds and majestic brass come together to bring us a wonderful arrangement of this classic carol! Each of the four verses are treated differently creating beautiful textures and a multi-faceted setting of the familiar tune. This fresh new arrangement for developing bands is a great choice for both church and school!

The English king Henry VIII (1491-1547) is mainly remembered for disposing of his wives on a regular basis and breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope Clement VII refused to grant him a divorce so he could marry Anne Boleyn. He was however a gifted athlete dancer and composer writing many songs poems and consort pieces (though not Greensleeves as is often believed). Pastime with Good Company is undoubtedly the best-known of these written in the first years of the 16th century while he was still a handsome prince newly married to Catherine of Aragon and the envy of Europe. The lyrics tell of the joys of hunting dancing and singing and would have been sungas part of the court entertainment.

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.

The English king Henry VIII (1491-1547) is mainly remembered for disposing of his wives on a regular basis and breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope Clement VII refused to grant him a divorce so he could marry Anne Boleyn. He was however a gifted athlete dancer and composer writing many songs poems and consort pieces (though not Greensleeves as is often believed). Pastime with Good Company is undoubtedly the best-known of these written in the first years of the 16th century while he was still a handsome prince newly married to Catherine of Aragon and the envy of Europe. The lyrics tell of the joys of hunting dancing and singing and would have been sungas part of the court entertainment. The English King Henry VIII (1491-1547) is mainly remembered for disposing of his wives on a regular basis and breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope Clement VII refused to grant him a divorce so he could marry Anne Boleyn. He was however a gifted athlete dancer and composer writing many songs poems and consort pieces (though not Greensleeves as is often believed). Pastime with Good Company is undoubtedly the best-known of these written in the first years of the 16th century while he was still a handsome prince newly married to Catherine of Aragon and the envy of Europe. The lyrics tell of the joys of hunting dancing and singing andwould have been sung as part of the court entertainment.

This is a little salute to the wonderful music of Duke Ellington taking Mood Indigo as its model. Something Borrowed Something Blue will allow the young band to approach this masterpiece?s laid-back style using chords and harmonies that they may be hearing for the first time. The flexible instrumentation of this work makes it ideal for bands without the full quota of players. Bring the world of jazz to life with this smooth classic.

This short processional was designed to be played as a concert opener but can equally be used as a sort of extended fanfare at presentations graduation ceremonies and similar occasions. Its title evokes the noble grandeur of the university buildings in the English town of Cambridge where ?pomp and circumstance? are still a normal part of life.A fanfare-like passage opens and closes the work and sandwiches a more legato central section.

(The Trumpet Voluntary)-Jeremiah Clarke (c. 1674-1707) belongs to the generation of English composers following that of Henry Purcell. Not much is known about his early life but by 1685 he was a chorister of the Chapel Royal a group of liturgical musicians attached to the court. He held the post of organist at Winchester College from 1692 but later returned to London as Master of the Choristers at St Paul’s Cathedral. The Prince of Denmark’s March is perhaps his best-known work and was originally written for harpsichord although Clarke later included it in a collection of pieces for wind instruments.

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.