The Awakening was first work by Bert Appermont who at that time was a student of Jan Van der Roost. A serene melody expands supported by the growing orchestration. It’s a sparkling composition thanks to it’s pure simplicity.

What’s the perfect way to start the day? Stef Minnebo tries to answer this age-old question musically with his Rise and Shine . This three-movement composition for a fourpart flexible instrumentation begins with Snooze in honour of the most treasured feature of the alarm clock. Then we have The Shower a refreshing number and finally the lively Breakfast Groove . No chance of a sleep in!

Saturnalia is a feast in honour of Saturn that originated in the Roman Empire (circa 800-510 BC). It was celebrated for the first time on 17 December 497 BC when the gods Saturn and Janus ruled Italy. These gods assured affluence fertile land good harvests and introduced writing to the people. Saturn�s symbol was a sickle denoting that all citizens were equal and that no one had the right to individual possessions. During the feast of Saturnalia the roles of slaves and masters were reversed. This varied work by Ben Haemhouts is suitable for competitions or concerts.

The Rubicon is a river in Northern Italy which Julius Caesar crossed with his army in 49 BC in defiance of the leaders of Rome who feared his power. A civil war against rival Pompey ensued which culminated in Caesar seizing power as the absoluteruler of Rome. The phrase crossing the Rubicon therefore refers to any person committing himself irrevocably to a risky decisive and irrevocable of course of action.The work consists of three parts that deal with this important moment in history.Part 1 ( Meditation ) symbolises Caesars request to the Gods to assist him in his difficult choice. In a slow introduction we hear the melancholy and beseeching sounds of the duduk (alternatively this part can be played by a soprano saxophone)and of the soprano solo singer over the bourdon accompaniment. The soprano solo singer then sings dona tibi pacem (give him rest) in a melodious and probing theme.In Part 2 ( Battle of Pharsalus ) trumpets and trombones resound alternately ina stately Roman fanfare producing a stereophonic effect. This develops into a martial theme in which Caesars impressive army goes to battle against the army of rival Pompey. While the theme of Caesars army fades away Pompeys theme emerges as anaive dance in six-eight time. His army is definitely in the majority and it believes it can easily defeat the enemy. Suddenly trumpets and trombones clash on two sides of the orchestra: Caesars army advances and attacks. A fierce battle ensues inwhich the two themes are played alternately as well as simultaneously. Thanks to his shrewd battle tactics Caesar manages to win this legendary battle after all: his theme resounds ever louder in trumpets and horns until everything dies out andchanges into a kind of reconciliation between the soldiers of the two armies. The melancholy dona tibi pacem from part 1 now serves as a reconciliation theme.Caesar is now the sole ruler of the New Roman Empire which would be destined to leave itsmark on our Western civilisation to this day. The third part is a sparkling succession of dance music ( Dance ) with many Greek and Roman elements in which Caesars victory is praised and celebrated. It is common knowledge that the culture(arts gods etc.) of the Romans drew heavily on Greek culture. I have therefore used an authentic Greek theme (the Seikolos song ) several times in this part (bar 17 in the euphonium bar 60 in the base section bar 68 in the sopranosaxophone) to suggest the music of that era and to evoke the right atmosphere. After a gradual increase in tempo in the entire orchestra the opening melody gloriously resounds once more surrounded by virtuoso dance music. The work ends withbombastic brass fanfares in which Caesars theme triumphs once more.NOTE FOR THE CONDUCTOR:The Armenian duduk and the monochord that are used in the introduction give a special tone to the music but could be substituted (soprano saxophone instead ofthe duduk) or left out (monochord)

Night on Bald Mountain originally had the title St John�s Night on the Bare Mountain . Although Mussorgsky is regarded as a successful composer most of his works have been rescored because of their insufficient instrumentation. This was the case with this overture which is nowadays almost always played in the orchestration by Rimsky-Korsakov. Night on Bald Mountain tells the story of a witches� sabbath on a mountain in the Ukraine and consists of four parts played without breaks: Gathering of the Witches The Appearance of Satan The Worship of Satan and The Witches� Sabbath.

as performed by Johnny Cash-James Mangold’s film “Walk the Line” which depicts the life of rock star Johnny Cash was possibly the biggest box office success of the past year. Stef Minnebo made a selection of the best songs of this controversial character.

Symphony No. 0 was commissioned by the Koninklijke Harmonie St. Cecilia from Zele Belgium on the occasion of its 175th anniversary. “Phoenix ex cinere suo renascitur” (the Phoenix will rise from its ashes) is the motto of this wind orchestra. Themythical bird also takes pride of place in the orchestra’s banner.The mythology of several continents includes similar stories about a phoenix arising from its ashes. This work by Bart Picqueur is based on the Egyptian and Greek version. In ancientEgypt the Phoenix occurred in the ritual of Ra the sun god.Part 1: Fanfare for Ra the sun god:After a mysterious introduction the orchestra bursts out with resounding trumpets and exceptionally virtuoso kettledrums. It is a festive ode to the sungod.Part 2: At the source - Song and dance of the PhoenixThe Phoenix lives a solitary existence at a source somewhere in Persia. His song and dance are of such a beauty that Ra the sun god stops his chariot every day at noon to enjoy the bizarrespectacle. Part 2 opens with an impression of the source with a modal sound field of clarinets and piano. The song is melodious and sounds slightly oriental. The dance is capricious and virtuoso.Part 3: Death and rebirthWhen the Phoenix has grownold he arranges his own death. He makes a nest out of incense and other fragrant herbs in the highest tree. When he has settled down in it the sun sets the nest on fire. The old Phoenix perishes in the flames. A young strong Phoenix is born(reborn) from the ashes.Part 4: Flight to Heliopolis - ceremony for RaThe young Phoenix wraps the remains of the nest of its father in an egg of myrrh. As soon as he is strong enough to carry it he takes it to Heliopolis (the city of light whichstill exists near Cairo) where he sacrifices it in the temple of Ra. The work ends with a chorale in honour of St. Cecilia the patron saint of numerous musical societies. The majestic final chord however is not what is seems. It all starts againfrom the beginning the circle is complete (just as the number of the symphony).

This Irish traditional song is widely known even though this tune consists of only a few bars that are repeated all the time. Bart Picqueur turned it into a lively arrangement and incorporated the theme in different ways with a stirring crescendo towards the end.The perfect encore piece or taster piece for any concert!

Just like the title suggests „Prayer” is a wonderful contemplative chorale by the Belgian composer Bert Appermont. This work is great for warming up at competitions and also ideal for a pause in your concert programme. You have the opportunity to develop the sound intonation and musicality.

as performed by Clouseau-The ‘Circus Picolini’ is one of the last Flemish circuses active in Belgium and is led by the Hartmann family. This circus is special because performances not only take place in tents but also in schools where children from the audience are given the opportunity to participate actively in the various performances.This work consists of three parts and each has its own personality. Come in and enjoy the CIRCUS PICOLINI!

From his experience as a conductor and adjudicator Bert Appermont knows that bands often experience the same problems: lack of sound control intonation difficulties uncontrolled articulation and insufficient phrasing. Practising these aspects is very demanding and there is little material available that is also enjoyable to play. Four Original Warm-Ups consists of four fun warm-up pieces. Each piece focuses on one of the problems without the music being dull. The four pieces work equally well when played together or as individual items either at rehearsals or in a concert.

With this composition which was commissioned by the music association �t�Meziek� in the town of Berlare and dedicated to Dennis Van Broeck we would like to present the composer-arranger Bart Picqueur for the first time. In this work the composer depicts 4 different episodes: daybreak (lento misterioso) talking animals and insects (allegro giocoso) a funeral march for a deceased villager (tempo) and the village feast (allegro festivo).

Jericho is the musical translation of the well-known story from the book of Joshua about the capture of the city of Jericho by the Israelites.Part 1 depicts the cruel journey through the desert to Canaan the promised land. An emotional lamentation for the yearning for a home for the end of a roaming existence.The capture of Jericho is the theme of part 2. The city cannot be captured immediately and Jehovah orders an impressive army to march around the city for six days. On the seventh day they marched around the city seven times and the priests blew their trumpets and the people cried so loud that the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The Jews stormed the city and drove theinhabitants away. The music clearly reveals the marching army and you can hear the walls falling down with a tremendous noise. However there is quite some artistic freedom in the actual story.A majestic and grand melody subsequently evokes the triumphant emotions that emerged as the fortified city fell (part 3).Following a personal and romantic interpretation the scene ultimately ends in a typical Jewish feast (part 4) whereby the virtuosity of melodies played by the woodwinds and the passionate rhythms refer to traditional Jewish music. All themes are repeated in this last part in various forms often simultaneous and in duelling counterpoint. The piece ends with fragments from the main theme of part 1 in major: peace and quiet return at last.

A good concert needs a solid and resounding opener and �Lift Off� is a perfect choice! This dynamic opening work was recorded on our first Digital Album downloadable at a very reasonable price from iTunes.

Performed by the Chordettes the Pointer Sisters the Supremes and the Pointer Sisters this world hit from the fifies could now be yours. Get going!

‘Fiesta!’ is a Latin-American composition. Gyuri Spies made a splashing mix of the most exciting melodies of the Latin-American repertoire. ‘Fiesta!’ allows us to introduce to you for the first time Gyuri Spies.

Best of-As well as being a living legend in German showbiz Udo Jürgens is also popular in many other European countries. Despite his considerable age he can still be seen on international stages and his performances are always full of energy. Peter Schüller has composed a medley featuring his greatest hits. Not to be missed if you�re a fan!

This festive music is the ideal showpiece for your trumpet soloists. It is also ideal for opening a concert and the simple accompaniment makes it easy to play by any orchestra.

This love song from the movie of the same name by James Berardinelli (1988) was composed by the excellent soundtrack composer Ennio Morricone.The simple and wonderful theme has been arranged magnificently by Jan Rypens and it provides a stylish and romantic intermezzo during your concert. It is also ideal for warming up before a competition.

This piece was written specially for the 50th anniversary of the North-Limburg academy for music and speech in the Belgian town of Neerpelt and it describes the expressions and reactions of young students during their initiation. This is a short but powerful composition that can also be used as an introductory work.