A fascinating parade of people passing by. 1. A drum major who cannot control his platoon. 2. An unhandy clown who has known better times. 3. A robot that comes to life and dances of pleasure. 4. A charming princess displays her exceptional charms. 5. A funky guy who goes berserk literally and figuratively. 6. A priest conducts a service and clearly enthrals his audience. 7. The old acrobat tries it one more time however not always with success. 8. A spy who is shy but a master of his profession. 9. And who are you? That is the big question.

Little (solo) material is available for the novice kettledrummer. Your kettledrummer will be thrilled with the star part this composition allows him or her to play. Kettledrum Overture is a classic overture for a novice kettledrummer and band. Lively educational and a guaranteed hit in your concert.

As he did before in the often played and commonly appreciated ‘Lord Tullamore’ in which he poetically depicted the landscape and the cultural elements of a small Irish village in his composition ‘The Road to the West’ Carl Wittrock has sketched pioneer existence in America in a cinematic manner. In ‘The Road to the West’ the composer has tried to capture images of pioneer life during the period dating from 1850 to 1890 the days of the so-called Wild West. In those days the Wild West used to be the territory west of civilization the domain of cowboys trappers and other fortune hunters. In short ample ingredients for a captivating story. In the firstscene a lonely adventurer struggles against nature and the elements. After an exciting adventure he passes through ‘the Plains’ where majestic views alternated by colossal mountain ranges display an almost unimaginable beauty. After weeks of isolation civilization is reached again. ‘The Saloon’ is the perfect meeting place – here news is exchanged and hilarious scenes regularly take place.

‘Mixed Bag’ stands midway between a collection and a hotchpotch. It is a colourful compilation of four completely different pieces each with its own specific character. The first part is called ‘Tanguillo’ : as its name suggests this Spanish dance is related to the Tango. In the next part ‘Maybe next time ....’ a repeated bass line (Passacaglia) can be heard first solo but thereafter gradually the other instruments join in. The third part forms a huge contrast – did the former part have a Baroque atmosphere ‘Rock Hard’ seems to have come directly from the Rock ‘n Roll era reminding us of stars such as Bill Haley and Elvis Presley. The finale is acheerful inciting movement called ‘Gypsy Dance’.

In 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' Scottish composer Bruce Fraser makes a sport of misleading his audience time and again. The title already indicates that this piece has been based on the well-known Carol 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' even if the melody makes a somewhat halting start. When it gathers pace however also due to the percussion section suddenly various other carols may be recognized. Peace and quiet reign in the middle part during which we can enjoy Bach's charming 'O Jesulein süss'. 'Ding Dong it's Christmas' ends in the same way it began even if more and more Carols put in an appearance. Merry Christmas!

In the tripartite 'Cowboy Suite' Alan Laken takes us to the Wild West the domain of cowboys indians trappers and other fortune hunters. Around 1890 the west coast of America was reached which in effect meant the end of the Wild West. Its stories however survived and have been a source of inspiration for many books films and of course music. Some characters such as Jesse James Billy the Kid and Buffalo Bill are forever linked to these tales. In the 'Cowboy Suite' we first hear the 'Hoedown'. At the end of an exhausting workday the labourers used to lay down their tools among others the 'hoes' and spontaneously began to play music on the instruments which they then possessed (guitars fiddles and banjos) and to dance. After being jolted on the 'Wagon Trail' we reach the third part the 'Cowboy Roundup'. In this last part it becomes clear that as a cattle driver it is imperative to stay firmly seated in the saddle. As the cattle are rounded up i.e. driven together spectacular things happen.

Different from the usual and thus a highly recommended spectacular composition for rapper and band.Full recording: Introducing the Fanfare Band (Fanfarekorps Koninklijke Landmacht).

A ballad that hints at Australia where its composer used to live for a couple of years. It was the friendliness of both its human and animal inhabitants that inspired him to write this little paragon of sonority destined to become a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. Its singing melody is accompanied by an altogether infectuous little motif.

Is it too late? Certainly not for this jazzy ballad for flugel horn and band! Feel free to lie back and relax ...

In the tripartite 'Cowboy Suite' Alan Laken takes us to the Wild West the domain of cowboys indians trappers and other fortune hunters. Around 1890 the west coast of America was reached which in effect meant the end of the Wild West. Its stories however survived and have been a source of inspiration for many books films and of course music. Some characters such as Jesse James Billy the Kid and Buffalo Bill are forever linked to these tales. In the 'Cowboy Suite' we first hear the 'Hoedown'. At the end of an exhausting workday the labourers used to lay down their tools among others the 'hoes' and spontaneously began to play music on the instruments which they then possessed (guitars fiddles and banjos) and to dance. After being jolted on the 'Wagon Trail' we reach the third part the 'Cowboy Roundup'. In this last part it becomes clear that as a cattle driver it is imperative to stay firmly seated in the saddle. As the cattle are rounded up i.e. driven together spectacular things happen.

The drummer in the spotlight. A heavy piece with a fat heavy beat. In three sections. Great for the lower sections and youth bands.

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.

Excuse me may I play along? Could you step aside please? ‘Step Aside’ is a pleasant competition both between two tempi and among the different parts. After a short slow introduction it is the drummer who without asking the questions above sets the high pace. As soon as this rapid movement has been established ‘part 1’ takes the lead but the other parts obviously don’t want to miss a thing and follow in rapid succession. At the end of the composition the various parts ‘compete’ in order to be able to play solo for a while but soon others join in again asking ‘Excuse me may I play along?’

During the eighteenth century a person called ‘The Dance Master' made his appearance in Ireland. He was a travelling dance-teacher who moved from one village to another to teach the people there how to dance. The piece consists of two dances Reel and the Jig.

Oxygen (2004) is a short composition for fanfare orchestra constructed with elements from rock and popular music.The composer used funky rhythms jazzy harmonies and pulsating rock to illuminate the fanfare band from a different angle.The music demands a groove from the percussion section and the wind players are asked to use playing techniques from light music. And for this all the performers and audience alike need a good supply of oxygen.

Which of us does not have them memories? Everyone sometimes remembers things from the past be they happy memories or not. Sometimes a scent may remind us of a particular place or a tune may bring back memories of a certain situation. John DeBee experienced something similar when he heard a song on the radio: he immediately picked up his pen and composed ‘Flashback’. It has become a piece that appeals to the ear which will provide both the musicians performing it and their audience with pleasant memories.

Crazy Crowd is a fun piece in which we meet a comical parade of eccentric figures: A drum major a clumsy clown a dancing robot a charming princess an ailing acrobat a timid spy and more! Where do you fit into this line-up?!

The composition the Lonesome Knight was based on a fairytale. The piece was written by Saskia Apon for the National Brass Band Championships 2001. Once upon a time there was a knight who went to fight and defeat the dragon that had beenkilling the people of his town. There is a short but intense battle between the two and the knight is triumphant. However whilst persuing the dragon the knight has travelled far away from his home and now is lost. He roames around trying to findhis way home but exhausted and weary he falls to the ground. He awakens startled by a Giant and a group of Goblins who are celebrating the death of the dragon. The knight joins in the festivities but after a long evening is once more leftalone. The sun rises the following morning and he sees a castle on the horizon. He enthousiastcally ventures towards the castle in the hope of meeting other people. However he becomes greatly disillusioned when there is none to be found. Inhis desperation the knight climbs the tower ready to jump off. Suddenly he hears a heavenly voice. Right before him is the most beautiful princess he has ever seen. She graciously thanks him for killing the dragon a spark ingnites between themand they build a life together and.... live happily ever after! Saskia Apon studied harp at Rotterdam School of music. With this instrument she rounded of her studies by passing with credit however it was her love of composition thatremained her focus. Self-taught she began composing at the age of nine. Since then she has written pieces for The Dutch Brass Quintet The Dutch Brass Ensemble The Rotterdam Trombone Quartet and the brass band quintet Brass Ability. Atpresent she is the in-house arranger for The Rotterdam Philarmonic Brass Ensemble. Besides the customary attention for the real splashworks she endeavours to add value to the melodic function of the brass wind instruments in her music. Hercompositions and arrangements can be found on many diverse Cds.The composition the Lonesome Knight was based on a fairytale. The piece was written by Saskia Apon for the National Brass Band Championships 2001. Once upon a time there was aknight who went to fight and defeat the dragon that had been killing the people of his town. There is a short but intense battle between the two and the knight is triumphant. However whilst persuing the dragon the knight has travelled far awayfrom his home and now is lost. He roames around trying to find his way home but exhausted and weary he falls to the ground. He awakens startled by a Giant and a group of Goblins who are celebrating the death of the dragon. The knight joins inthe festivities but after a long evening is once more left alone. The sun rises the following morning and he sees a castle on the horizon. He enthousiastcally ventures towards the castle in the hope of meeting other people. However he becomesgreatly disillusioned when there is n

David Well composed ‘X-mas for Three’ for three young pupils of his who wished to give a Christmas concert. He arranged six well-known Christmas songs for them and their first performance was a great success. This was reason for the composer to adapt the piece for ‘orchestra’ by adding percussion. The title has stayed the same and the work can still be played by as few as three musicians but as the saying goes: “The more the merrier”! ‘X-mas for Three’ consists of the following parts : 1. Oh du fröhliche 2. Kling Glöckchen kling 3. Gloria in excelsis deo 4. Joy to the world! 5. The first Noel 6. We wish you a MerryChristmas

An unintended play on words on the title of Mozart's famous composition forms the basis of this solo piece. It was composed in 2004 by the Scottish composer Bruce Fraser and features a solo for flugel or cornet. It is not a very difficult piece for both the soloist and the band but is that always necessary? A lovely highly recommended intermezzo for your concert.