As long as we can remember trumpets and percussion have been the instruments most closely associated with the army and its soldiers. Just think of the medieval herald who publicly proclaimed all the king's important announcements. This work opens with a festive fanfare which immediately calls for your attention. No tidings of disaster but a festive parade of soldiers passing by while whistling merrily. This idea was the composer's starting point when writing this cheerful little piece.

Many people when asked the question 'Do you have any hobbies?' will answer 'Shopping' (even though the female part of the population may be more interested in this than the male one). Of course it is great fun to walk about in a Shopping Mall browsing in various small shops looking for things you have always wanted to possess. This was what William Vean was doing one day when he came across the idea to write a composition in which several shops could try to sell their wares (and this idea didn't cost him a penny). First the audience are taken to a 'Jeans store' then a 'Phone shop' is visited after which a visit is made to a 'Perfumery'. Thefourth part depicts a profession which is practised in several premises namely that of shoplifter. In the fifth part there is room for a bite to eat at a Chinese restaurant and finally after a visit to the hairdresser's it's time to go home.

In ‘Land of Legends’ German composer Andreas Ludwig (what’s in a name) Schulte takes you along to the fictional world of legends myths and fairy tales. The introduction to the first part (The Castle) describes the majestic contours of the scene of action. Its instrumentation (horns) immediately makes you imagine being in Medieval spheres. The addition of trenchant copper instruments even gives the part a heroic tinge. After entering through the gate a lot of hustle and bustle appears to be going on in the courtyard. Pages squires and soldiers are busy attending to their arms. Beer is being brewed flax is being spun cattle are being tended and some craftsmen fromneighbouring villages are busily at work. In the upper chamber of the round tower lives an old man (The Old Wizard). He hardly ever comes out and nobody knows exactly what he is doing. It is said that he is engaged in wizardry and magic. It is all very mysterious. There are also festivities some of them sober others exuberant. The wedding in the third part is celebrated in a grand manner. With a flourish of trumpets the bride makes her entrance at the hand of her father. Afterwards at the party there is dancing to the music played by minstrels and of course a plentiful banquet follows.

Energetic music which invites you to dance because it is hard to keep still with this shuffle. And you don't have to. Feel like a fish in water in this Seafood Shuffle which includes some flashy solos. Solo parts in C Eb and Bb are included.

Fanitullen is a lively beautiful ‘Sl?tt’ i.e. an old Norwegian melody which is played on a traditional ‘Hardingfele’ (Hardanger fiddle). Because of its violent rhythm and exciting character playing a Fanitullen for a long time was considered improper. It was believed that a person playing this melody would come under the influence of the devil. Therefore Fanitullen could be regarded as a kind of Rock’n Roll from the 18th century. Tom Brevik’s adaptation is based on a composition for piano by Ole Olsen (1850-1927)

The party atmosphere of the beaches in Rio de Janeiro is famous worldwide. Holiday in Rio brings this party to life and right from the first bar conjures up a Brazilian spirit on the concert stage. No one will be able to resist the infectious rhythms of this exciting piece!

The title is a popular saying in England. It means that's where the money is. Where there's muck there's power is such a popular expression in the United Kingdom. The saying inspired Peter Martin to compose a highly attractive piece in four parts consisting of contemporary dances that can also be performed separately. Let's dance!

Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean. In 1494 it was discovered by Christopher Columbus who used it as private property until 1509. After some skirmishes it fell under British rule and the sugar trade on the island flourished. After the abolition of slavery in 1834 it was only granted Home Rule in 1944 but it remained a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Whereas the export of cane sugar used to be Jamaica’s main export product for many years nowadays music has taken over this role. At first American music used to be very popular on the island. Later however Jamaican musicians started to experiment and thus in the end created their ownmusical style called Reggae. Well-known Reggae musicians are Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The most important instruments used in Reggae are the bass and the drums. Together they form the base for the style: the riddim. A bass drum accent on the second and fourth beat are characteristic of a typically reggae drum beat. To this syncopic patterns are often added. The rhythm guitarist plays chords in a characteristic Reggae rhythm not on but between the beats.

A delicacy for the eye ear and taste buds that was originally created by a Parisian cook in London. A musical haven of peace as a dessert and a romantic highlight of a diner a la carte. The melodic lines are relaxed and smooth and will definitely take you to another dimension for a while.

Yo-ho It's Christmas Time could be just a cry from the mouth of Santa Claus. David Well used this as the title for this three-part composition. First the very familiar Jingle Bells in a relaxed style followed by the sensitive Negro spiritual Mary Had a Baby.. Finally hear We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Timothy Travis composed this wedding march for a relative. This march in an Italian format brings the warmth of a southern European wedding party (matrimonio) within reach.

Latin Music in three variations. Caribbean Sketches takes the band and audience from the reggae sound of Beach Party to the siesta Lazy Afternoon and concludes with a rousing finale in Let's dance. Don't forget your sunglasses!

With this surprising little work the composer not only intended to write a delightfully swinging composition. he also had an educational message up his sleeve. Especially as far as timing and rhytm are concerned there is plenty of action. Rhythm Forever might very well be an absolute showstopper on your next concert. Met dit verrassende werk was het niet alleen de bedoeling van de componist om een heerlijk swingende compositie te schrijven hij had ook een educatieve boodschap in petto. Vooral wat timing en ritme betreft is er volop actie. Rhythm Forever is een absolute 'showstopper' op uw volgende concert.

In this work the Dutch composer Marc van Delft attempts to bring together two parties (former friends) after they have grown inexplicably apart. For this reason he calls in the help (Invocation) from the medium of music. At first 'Invocation' radiates a sense of serene calme from which the composer gradually creates an atmosphere resembling a conversation. Half-way there is an increase of suspense ending once again in calm. The listener remains uncertain however regarding the finish. In dit werk probeert de Nederlandse componist Marc van Delft twee partijen samen te brengen (vroegere vrienden) nadat ze op onverklaarbare wijze uit elkaar zijn gegroeid. Daaromroept hij de hulp in (Invocation) van het medium muziek. In het begin straalt 'Invocation' een gevoel van serene rust uit waaruit de componist geleidelijk een sfeer creëert die lijkt op een gesprek. Halverwege is er een toename van de spanning die weer in rust eindigt. De luisteraar blijft echter onzeker over de afloop.

a nice concert opener by Timothy Travis.

En route with Those Boots!

Patrick Millstone based his Dance of the Shepherds on the song Quem pastores laudavere by Michael Praetorius. After an upbeat flashy introduction you can hear this wonderful Christmas song. A good choice for a Christmas concert or church service!

In a suite of three parts arranger Dagmar Kildevann makes a bridge between starting musician and classic composer. You hear the following parts: Grand march from Aida - Verdi. Aria from The Marriage of Figaro - Mozart. Can-Can from Orpheus in the Underworld - Offenbach.

Imagine yourself in a smoky pub with all the joys that entails. A nice jazzy solo puts you in the mood. This Sugar blues dates from the thirties and is a classic in the jazz scene. A wonderful solo in this case a saxophone but also for other instruments such as clarinet trumpet or trombone (there are different transpositions of the solo part included). Waan u in een rokerig bruin café met alle geneugten van dien. Een heerlijk jazzy gespeelde solo brengt u in de juiste stemming. Deze oerblues stamt uit de dertiger jaren en is een klassieker in de jazzscene. Een heerlijke solo voor in dit geval een saxofoon maar ook geschikt voor andere instrumentenzoals klarinet trompet of trombone (er worden verschillende transposities van de solopartij meegeleverd).

Hear the beat of horse hooves and feel the blistering heat of the prairie. In this medley of five well-known songs arranger Dagmar Kildevann has truly captured the atmosphere of the Wild West. An attractive feature of this piece is the various comic effects that Kildevann has included in the arrangement of the folksongs Home on the Range Deep in the heart of Texas Clementine Skip to my Lou and Polly Wolly Doodle. A guaranteed winner!