Looking Up Moving On was commissioned by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and featured in their concert programme in their May 2012 tour which took in many areas destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The timeless message of thismoving work is the belief in the tremendous capacity of humankind to recover from such disasters and look optimistically to the future. Looking Up Moving On was commissioned by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and featured in their concert programme in their May 2012 tour which took in many areas destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The timeless message of this moving work is the belief in the tremendous capacity of humankind to recover from such disasters and look optimistically to the future.

Between 1905 and 1934 Gustav Holst was Director of Music at St Paul’s Girls School in Brook Green London. St Paul’s Suite written for the school’s string orchestra was premiered there in 1913 and consists of four movements: an energetic Jig in 6/8 and 9/8 Ostinato based on a simple 4-note theme Intermezzo an energetic and rhythmic dance and Finale adapted from the Second Suite in F in which Holst brilliantly combines The Dargason and The English Dancing Master with the traditional melody Greensleeves .

20 Progressive Pieces 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.

The work opens with a stern fanfare in bare fifths which leads to a cantabile theme introduced by alto saxophone. This builds to a climax and reintroduces the fanfare which slowly evolves into the subsequent vivo. A perky tune emerges on flute saxophone and trumpet which after a short bridge passage leads to a contrasting melody on low clarinets and saxophones. After some development a true ‘second subject’ appears for the whole band. A recapitulation leads briefly back to the opening fanfare before the vivo returns to close the work in celebratory mood.

In Letter from Home Philip Sparke portrays the many feelings and emotions that a letter from home can evoke. This intimate work opens with a gentle woodwind melody which gradually becomes more confused as new emotions are introduced. Finally resignation sets in but a sense of peace and balance is restored with the final chorale. In this emotional work Philip Sparke truly captures the highs and lows of being away from home.

A Monmouth Overture was composed for the Haberdashers’ Symphonic Winds as part of Philip Sparke’s year as composer-in residence at the Monmouth School. The work is based around the fifteenth century Agincourt Song written in honour of the victorious Henry V who triumphed over the larger but outdated French army. Henry V was born in Monmouth in 1387 giving this wonderful overture its historical title.

In search of 'La Valse'-WINNING PERFORMANCE EBBC LILLE 2016 Raveling Unraveling – In Search of ‘La Valse’ was written for the Cory Band as their own-choice test piece for the 2016 European Brass Band Championships in Lille. The piece found its genesis in Sparke’s The Unknown Journey (2014) forconcert band and the use of Ravel’s La Valse as a structural undercurrent to the original piece is an act of reverence. Sparke’s aim was to produce a work that is organic rather than episodic in nature. The composer’s view is that little inmusic does this better than La Valse and for this reason he uses various sections of this masterpiece both manipulated and quoted verbatim (including much of its stunningclosing passages) to provide the overall geography of his new work. Asthe music progresses more of the Ravel appears surfacing completely as the piece reaches its climax - a gesture of homage to the French master. Winning Performance EBBC Lille 2016 Raveling Unraveling – In Search of ‘La Valse’ was written for the Cory Band as their own-choice test piece for the 2016 European Brass Band Championships in Lille. The piece found its genesis in Sparke’s The Unknown Journey (2014) for concert band and the use of Ravel’s La Valse as a structural undercurrent to the original piece is an act of reverence. Sparke’s aim was to produce a work that is organic rather than episodic in nature. The composer’s view is that little in music does this better than La Valse and for this reason he uses various sections of this masterpiece both manipulated and quoted verbatim (including much of itsstunningclosing passages) to provide the overall geography of his new work. As the music progresses more of the Ravel appears surfacing completely as the piece reaches its climax - a gesture of homage to the French master.

En 2007 Philip Sparke est nommé compositeur en résidence à l’établissement scolaire de Monmouth (Monmouth School) bourgade historique sur la frontière Angleterre/Pays de Galles. L’école puise dans un passé prestigieux qui remonte à 1614. Elle dispose d’un département de musique particulièrement actif qui peut s’enorgueillir de posséder deux Orchestres d’Harmonie en collaboration avec l’école des filles Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls et un Brass Band.Cette résidence passionnante et innovante a donné lieu à trois rencontres (entre le compositeurs et élèves) et à trois commandes d’œuvres une pour chaque formation. La création des œuvres a eu lieu dans lecadre du concert de fin d’année. Almshouse Street Blues est la pièce que Philip Sparke a composée pour le Brass Band dont les membres ont eux-mêmes choisi le style. L’établissement scolaire de Monmouth est situé dans Almshouse Street (Rue Almshouse). La ville de Monmouth accueille chaque année un festival d’été dynamique et créatif qui rassemble entre autres des groupes de blues mais propose également un large éventail de styles musicaux tels que le jazz la soul le rock et le bhangra.

Jubiloso was commissioned by Utsunomiya Brass Society a talented and versatile group of brass players whom Philip Sparke has conducted on many occasions. When they asked him to compose a ‘signature’ march to celebrate their 30th anniversary they asked for a bright and breezy march which they could use to open concerts. Jubiloso is in the same ‘Broadway’ style as Sparke’s Slipstream and The Bandwagon with heavily syncopated melodies and the conventional cantabile trio section but also contains sudden bars with unusual time signatures which trip up the march rhythm. Jubiloso was commissioned by Utsunomiya Brass Society a talented and versatile group of brass players whom Philip Sparke has conducted on many occasions. When they asked him to compose a signature' march to celebrate their 30th anniversary they asked for a bright and breezy march which they could use to open concerts. Jubiloso is in the same Broadway' style as Sparke's Slipstream and The Bandwagon with heavily syncopated melodies and the conventional cantabile trio section but also contains sudden bars with unusual time signatures which trip up the march rhythm.

Philip Sparke a composé cette pièce pour le Western Plains Wind Consortium placé sous la direction de son fondateur Daniel Baldwin. La création fut assurée par l’Orchestre d’Harmonie de l’Université d’État de l’Oklahoma Panhandle (Dr. Matthew C. Saunders direction) le 1er décembre 2009 au Centennial Theatre à Goodwell en Oklahama (États-Unis). Les orchestres membres du Western Plains Wind Consortium qui ont contribué à la commande de cette œuvre sont :Garden City High School Symphonic Band - Ryan Elliot & Daniel Baldwin directionSouthwestern Oklahoma State University Wind Ensemble - James South directionPanhandle State University Band - Matthew Saunders direction Holton High School Band - Donald McDaniel directionHolcomb High School Band - Paul White directionBethel College Band - Timothy Shade directionGarden City Community College Band - Daniel Baldwin directionLa commande stipulait que l’œuvre devait synthétiser une ambiance hivernale sans référence au cycle de la Nativité. Philip Sparke a réalisé une scène d’hiver en pleine campagne. A Winter’s Tale s’ouvre avec une série d’accords soutenus joués par les bois et colorés par le timbre cristallin des cloches tandis qu’un saxophone alto chante une complainte crépusculaire. Un passage orchestral court mais dense prélude à l’exposition du thème principal. Les couleurs douces et vaporeuses enveloppent les champs et les forêts enneigés. L’orchestre reprend le thème tandis que l’on entend au loin un tintement de grelots annonçant le passage imminent d’une troïka. Une fois passée la musique s’apaise et le thème principal revient avant de laisser la place au motif d’ouverture qui vient conclure la trame musicale.

Spirit of Andalusia was commissioned by The Glasgow Wind Band. The brief was to create a fascinating 5-minute opener however during the compositional process the piece started to take the form of a Spanish influenced composition. Thecomposer decided to stick to this involuntary development and started producing a tribute to Spanish music in particular Flamenco - which originates from the region of Andalusia. He uses exciting rhythms and colours from the musical culture.

40 Progressive Studies-Following on from Starter Studies this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Studies introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrumental ranges. New notes are introduced in a gradual and logical manner; woodwind players are taken into their second octave learning to cross the ‘break’ as smoothly as possible.Following on from Starter Studies this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Studies introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrumental ranges. New notes are introduced in a gradual and logical manner; woodwind players are taken into their second octave learning to cross the ‘break’ as smoothly as possible.

En 2007 Philip Sparke est nommé compositeur en résidence à l’établissement scolaire de Monmouth (Monmouth School) bourgade historique sur la frontière Angleterre/Pays de Galles. L’école puise dans un passé prestigieux qui remonte à 1614. Elle dispose d’un département de musique particulièrement actif qui peut s’enorgueillir de posséder deux Orchestres d’Harmonie en collaboration avec l’école des filles Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls et un Brass Band.Cette résidence passionnante et innovante a donné lieu à trois rencontres (entre le compositeurs et élèves) et à trois commandes d’œuvres une pour chaque formation. La création des œuvres a eu lieu dans lecadre du concert de fin d’année. Almshouse Street Blues est la pièce que Philip Sparke a composée pour le Brass Band dont les membres ont eux-mêmes choisi le style. L’établissement scolaire de Monmouth est situé dans Almshouse Street (Rue Almshouse). La ville de Monmouth accueille chaque année un festival d’été dynamique et créatif qui rassemble entre autres des groupes de blues mais propose également un large éventail de styles musicaux tels que le jazz la soul le rock et le bhangra.

Marcho Brioso was commissioned by The Brioso Brass a British-style brass band from Hokkaido Japan. They gave the first performance in January 2012.The commission was for a bright and breezy march that the band could use as their theme tune so Marcho Brioso falls into the composer’s series of Broadway-style marches which includes Slipstream The Bandwagon and Jubiloso . After a short introduction a solo cornet plays the main theme accompanied by a euphonium counter-melody. A secondary phrase from the horns and baritones leads to a tutti version of the main theme which is followed by the traditional ‘bass’ strain. A change of key heralds the triosection which features a cantabile melody on euphonium; this is then taken up by the full band after a short bridge passage and further change of key.This takes us back to the home key which sees a quiet staccato version of the main theme lead to a recapitulation and a short coda which brings the march to a close.

Wind Sketches is a top quality concert work for wind band in three movements inspired by the relationship between man and wind. Trade Winds in the form of a march is reminiscent of a shanty conjuring up seafaring and the tradewinds. Becalmed harmonically and melodically almost static depicts the doldrums. All the more contrasting is Riding the Storm which concerns the love-hate relationship of people to the winds that he needs and at the same times fears.

Fanfare for Tokyo is a flamboyant and extrovert concert opener designed to celebrate the virtuosic character of the talented Tokyo Wind Symphony Orchestra. A central theme over persistent percussion is first given by bassoons and taken up by the full ensemble. Either side of this horns and euphoniums lead an acrobatic fanfare under woodwind flourishes.

Part of the Anglo Music Play-Along Series Philip Sparke’s 15 Intermediate Christmas Carols is aimed at the young instrumentalist who can play about an octave and a half and follows on from Sparke’s 15 Easy ChristmasCarols . Specifically tailored to suit the individual instrument this book introduces the developing player to the world’s most popular Christmas tunes by selecting simple yet attractive melodies that fit their limited range. The book willprovide invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method and includes both piano accompaniment and a demo/play-along CD.

Philip Sparke selected two well-known marches from the region around Southern Belgium and Luxembourg as the basis for his March Celebration : after we hear an original march theme and second theme in the bass extracts from the Hämmelsmarsh (Hammelmarsch) and the spirited Marsch der Ardennen-Jäger which has become a kind of unofficial national anthem in these parts. This festive march is rounded off with another appearance of Philip Sparke’s original theme.

10 Selected Solos with Piano Accompaniment-Philip Sparke’s Super Solos is the third volume of a progressive series of solo books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Following on from the first two books in the series ( Starter Solos and Skilful Solos ) this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musicians. Specifically tailored for each instrument Super Solos extends technical and musical demands takes the player into new keys with larger instrumental ranges and adds new notes in a gradual and logical manner.The books provide invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method. Including play-along CD.Philip Sparke’s Super Solos is the third volume of a progressive series of solo books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. Following on from the first two books in the series (Starter Solos and Skilful Solos) this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musicians. Specifically tailored for each instrument Super Solos extends technical and musical demands takes the player into new keys with larger instrumental ranges and adds new notes in a gradual and logical manner. The books provide invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method. Including play-along CD.

A Quebec Folk Song Suite