Festive Overture was composed in 1954 to commemorate the 37th birthday of the October Revolution of 1917. With this overture Shostakovich shows his brighter side in contrast to his melancholy 10th symphony written in the previous year. The premiere of this piece took place on November 6 1954 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Shostakovich makes great use of different themes which he alternates and intermingles in a masterly way. This skilful transcription by Tohru Takahashi retains all the grandeur of the original.

Belkis Queen of Sheba-Suite for Wind Orchestra-In 1931 Ottorino Respighi began composing the music for his most ambitious theatre work: Belkis regina di Saba. The ballet describes the journey of Belkis the Queen of Sheba to Solomon the King of Israel with whom she was in love. She travels with a large caravan including elephants camels slaves and many valuable treasures through the desert. Kimura has arranged this colourful Oriental suite for wind band.

Six timeless melodies including: When You Wish Upon A Star The Entertainer Someday My Prince Will Come and more.

Here is your chance for some audience participation within your concert program. The big Summer ‘hit’ of 1995 was the Bayside Boys with their version of a modern Spanish song. Can you remember the moves? If so why not demonstrate them and inviteyour audience to join in with this scintillating arrangement. Guaranteed to bring the house down!

This stately concert opener was originally written by Jan Van der Roost for a special event in which six respected wind orchestras (two Belgian and four Dutch) of different composition (two symphonic bands two fanfare bands and two brass bands) were featured during six concerts. Each evening brought forth a performance by a symphonic band a fanfare and brass band so that the audience could experience all three types of ensembles. This was indeed an original concept.The name ConZEnSus comes from a combination of the words ‘Concert Cyclus’ (concert series) and ‘zes’ (Dutch for ‘six’). This leads to a new word which refers to ‘consensus’. The general tenor of the cycle isthus immediately indicated. The richness of color of the various ensembles is revealed through an open and friendly atmosphere. During all six concerts (over a span of three years) ConZEnSus functioned as a permanent opening number for each orchestra. Thus the same musical story was portrayed in three different packages.

Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) est considéré comme l'un des plus grands compositeurs italiens du début du XXe siècle. Respighi a composé plusieurs opéras des ballets quelques cantates des œuvres de musique de chambre et des mélodies pour orgue et piano. Son style unique a été profondément influencé par les impressionnistes français par Rimski-Korsakov et Richard Strauss. Toutefois il est surtout connu pour son triptyque symphonique Fontane di Roma (Les Fontaines de Rome) Pini di Roma (Les Pins de Rome) et Feste Romane (Fêtes romaines) . Dans le poème symphonique Les Pins de Rome il se montre un maître de l’orchestration par son utilisation de timbrestrès variés et captivants. La composition comprend quatre mouvements et s’ouvre par les Pins de la Villa Borghèse où des enfants jouent près des arbres. Après cette introduction Respighi passe brusquement aux Pins près d’une catacombe : les pins projettent leur ombre sur l’entrée d'une catacombe d’où s'élève un hymne grégorien mélancolique. Les Pins du Janicule est un nocturne où les pins se profilent au clair d'une lune sereine. Dans les Pins de la Via Appia (Voie Apienne) le jour se lève : La campagne tragique est veillée par des pins solitaires. La musique ressuscite la vision glorieuse d'une armée consulaire en marche vers le Capitole.

This composition is based on a passacaglia theme in which artistic perfection symphonic drama and oriental melody lines play a role. The passacaglia is originally a dance made up of a series of variations above a bass line constantly present as an ostinato. It is not in this sense that the Symphonic Variations are in the passacaglia form but in the sense of the open form of the variations. Jacob de Haan himself originally an organist took his inspiration for this piece from the famous passacaglia for organ in C-minor by J.S. Bach. Following the introduction of the passacaglia theme (in the bass) the entry by the trumpets and trombones forms the majestic start to amusical adventure in which this theme (often fragmentary) returns in variations. Then there follow two faster movements with dramatic contrasts and virtuose passages. Particularly striking here is the use of two characteristic intervals from the beginning of the theme namely the minor second and the augmented fourth. An apause in the composition comes in the slow bridge where a syncopated bourdon (perfect fifth) is constantly repeated. The tension grows in dynamics and harmony and the oriental-flavour becomes obvious in the melody. We arrive at a faster movement via an accelerando in which a perpetuum mobile based on the passacaglia theme is central. Finally the whole flows into a martial theme in which the ostinato accompaniment n the descant derives from the passacaglia theme.

A collection of short pieces which combine elements of classical composition with well known pop songs. This unique book contains ideal supplementary material for any pianist who wants some light relief frompiano lessons.

This book starts with simple studies for snare drum and progresses to complex pieces for multi percussion including toms snare drum suspended cymbals and temple blocks. Each piece works in its own right and will make an ideal percussion feature in any concert.

a Tribute to John Williams-Jan de Haan took as a starting point for Music for a Solemnity an old custom from the Dutch town of Hoogeveen by which the faithful are called to church with drums. It was also inspired by the music of John Williams. This unusual combination has resulted in a solemn work in which old traditional methods are united with modern rhythms and melodic lines.

Following a Christmas concert in German speaking Belgium Jan Hadermann put together A Geman Christmas . Three well-known German Christmas carols O Tannenbaum Alle Jahre Wieder and Süßer die Glocken nie klingen have beentranscribed in this Christmas medley. The romantic simplicity of the music makes it ideal for all bands.

Glenn Miller était un musicien arrangeur compositeur et chef de big band américain de la période du swing. En tête du classement des meilleures ventes entre 1939 et 1943 il était à la tête de l’un des big bands les plus connus. Naohiro Iwai a arrangé cinq de ses chansons pour orchestre d’harmonie : Little Brown Jug In the Mood Tuxedo Junction American Patrol et Moonlight Serenade . Votre public chauffera l’atmosphère en écoutant cet arrangement captivant.

Tochter Zion also known as See the Conquering Hero Comes is the most famous chorus from the oratorio Judas Maccabaeus (1746) by the composer George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). The heroic epic based on the Biblical story about commander-in-chief Judas Maccabaeus was used by Handel to celebrate the English victory over the rebellious Scottish. The first performance of this patriotic work - written in the pleasing rich baroque style that Handel’s music is known for - was conducted by himself; the success was huge. The chorus See the Conquering Hero Comes was added later in 1748 drawn from another oratorio ( Joshua ).

A Sunrise Impression débute avec une impression de lever de soleil une rêverie au cours de laquelle est dévoilé le premier thème principal. La tension musicale augmente progressivement dans le Grandioso où l’on peut entendre le second thème exprimé avec puissance. Les développements qui succèdent au Grandioso n’altèrent en rien la présence appuyée des deux thèmes principaux qui le finale approchant gagnent en puissance grâce à l’introduction de nouveaux motifs rythmiques.

Percussion Ensemble-Quintette de percussions [Bongos Tambourin Congas Batterie]

Toshio Mashima composed this work for the 40th anniversary of the concert band of the Kwansei-Gakuin University in Japan. The composition is based on the biblical story of the patriarch Jacob who in a dream sees a ladder reaching into the sky. This story or its symbolism has inspired many artists - the rungs of the ladder representing the virtues through which man climbs during his lifetime.

In 1941 Khatchaturian composed a ballet soon to be known throughout the world - Gayaneh. In this piece the composer describes the landscape of his native country Armenia and the people who tried to build the country to create a happy life there. Evil powers however try to destroy the peaceful work. Gayaneh is a young ordinary woman who cares greatly for her village. In addition to the fight for the village she also fights for her own happiness. Khatchaturian was a master at using elements of folk music in his compositions and these can be clearly heard in this arrangement for concert band by Wil van der Beek.

This exciting book with CD accompaniment featuring real musicians covering many styles of light music including swing country rumba slow rock disco mambo cha-cha and rock. This book can be used together with a keyboard or piano (book available separately) for a concert performance or as a short audition item.

The title of this thrilling piece indicates exactly what composer Johan Nijs wants his new work to be a spectacular introduction. Spectroduction does not disappoint on both counts grabbing the audiences attention from the first beat. This will make for a spectacular way to open your next concert.

The many sided and productive Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) is knwon as a composer of dance music sacred music and music for the advent and Christmas time. He worked as Kapelmeister to the court at Wolffenbuttel but he was also asked to serve in other places includin Dresden. Praetorius was valued for the new impulses he gave to music by means of his use of instrumental accompaniment. His main contribution is his theoretical work Syntagma Musicum one of the most important musical refernce books in connection with instruments and instrumentation in the early 17th Century. Es ist ein ros entsprungen is a well known ancient melody which has inspired numerous composers andarrangers througout the Centuries. Otto M. Schwarz has made a choral arrangement.