The word ‘tsunami’ is of Japanese origin. When you look it up in a dictionary you will find that it means ‘a great sea wave produced by submarine earth movement or volcanic eruption’. A megatsunami is the superlative of this awesome expressionof power that nature can create and has catastrophic consequences. When Carl Wittrock completed this composition not many such big earth movements had occurred but since then we have become all too familiar with the disastrousconsequences which a tsunami may have. On the 26th of December 2004 a heavy seaquake took place near the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Tidal waves 10 meters in height ravaged the coastal regions of many countries for miles around. The tsunamitook the lives of thousands of people and destroyed many villages and towns. There are more areas which run the risk of being struck by a tsunami such as the island of La Palma one of the Canary Islands. This island is based on oceaniccrust at a fracture zone and as such is one of nature’s time bombs. The consequences of a natural calamity like a megatsunami are immense. In the case of La Palma the tidal wave will move in the direction of South America where it may reach 50km inland destroying everything on its way. In his composition Wittrock describes an ordinary day which will have an unexpected ending. Right from the beginning there seems to be something in the air the music creating an oppressiveatmosphere of impending disaster. Themes are interrupted broken off suddenly followed by silence suggesting the calm before the storm. Suddenly a short climax (glissandi in the trombone part) indicates the seaquake and the megatsunami isa fact. Hereafter follows a turbulent passage symbolising the huge rolling waves. After nature’s force has spent itself resignation sets in and the composition ends with a majestic ode to nature.

The Scottish composer Bruce Fraser has always devoted himself to educational music. In this composition in which his love for Scotland can be heard again he has clearly considered the possibilities of the orchestra. A delightful concert piece which can be performed well by beginning bands.

Rock My Soul is a gospel song that has a worldwide reputation. Ben Christon has added a new spirit to the composition. The solo in the beginning can be performed by various types of instruments.

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.

Perfect for a presentation of your band at a concert or a presentation on a (music) school. The orchestra and the various sections introduce themselves to the public. A wonderful showpiece for your band to the public! Ideaal voor een presentatie van uw orkest op een concert of presentatie op een (muziek)school. Het orkest en de diverse secties stellen zich voor aan het publiek. Een presentator (m/v) kan iedere sectie wel of niet met naam en toenaam introduceren en geeft daarmee een prachtig visitekaartje van uw orkest aan het publiek!

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.

The idyllic village Beetsterzwaag in the east of Friesland and its surroundings are depicted in this suite. The first part describes the main street with its liveliness. The second part brings us to the nearby church of St. Hippolytus-Olterterp while the final section describes the children playing in the woods of Sparjebird. Het idyllisch in de Friese bossen gelegen dorp Beetsterzwaag en haar omgeving staat model in deze landelijke suite. Het eerste deel beschrijft de hoofdstraat met al haar levendigheid. Het tweede deel brengt ons in het naburige St. Hippolytus-kerkje van Olterterp terwijl het slotdeel de spelende kinderen beschrijft in het speelbosSparjebird.

The rock ballad Just for Friends is a gem for the conductor and the band. A marvellous number that allows the bandleader to show off the qualities of various solo-instruments.

De compositie 'Drachten' werd geschreven in opdracht van de gemeente Smallingerland ter gelegenheid van de Nederlandse Fanfare Kampioenschappen 2004 in Drachten. Het werk beeldt de merkwaardige tweedeling uit van de Drachtster bevolking. De inwoners van de gemeente Smallingerland en de plaats Drachten in het bijzonder zijn kleurrijk van samenstelling. Ongeveer de helft van de bewoners onderstreept het socialistische gedachtegoed terwijl de andere helft meer de conventionele christelijke partijen steunt. Muzikaal gezien leidde dit gegeven tot de keuze voor twee thema's met vrije variaties over deze thema's: enerzijds psalm 1 een melodie met onbekende herkomst uit het Liedboek der kerken en anderzijds de Internationale een melodie die geschreven werd door Adolphe de Geyter en die vooral het oude socialisme symboliseert. Beide melodieën strijden om de eer in een afwisselende rapsodische compositie die de vele mogelijkheden en kleuren van de fanfare voor het voetlicht brengt. Het werk bestaat uit vier geledingen met elk een eigen karakter. Het vierde gedeelte grijpt tegen het slot terug op de eerste episode. De twee thema's worden met compositorische virtuositeit in kleine motiefjes sierlijke lijnen en stoere melodieën naar voren gebracht. Daarmee worden de twee hoofdstromingen van de bevolking weergeven waarbinnen veel nuancering aanwezig is. De compositie werd geschreven als testpiece en is daarom een bijzonder uitdagend werk waarin alle groepen van het orkest hun aandeel hebben. Tegelijkertijd is het werk in een toegankelijk idioom geschreven zodat er voor de luisteraar meer te beleven valt dan enkel technisch vernuft.

The Scottish composer Bruce Fraser has always devoted himself to educational music. In this composition in which his love for Scotland can be heard again he has clearly considered the possibilities of the orchestra. A delightful concert piece which can be performed well by beginning bands.

Carl Wittrock's wide interest in global folk-music resulted in this concert-piece based on original African rhythms. Obviously the percussion section has a conspicious role to play but the band too may indulge itself in moments of thoroughly delightful excitement. The introduction depicts the awakening of nature and develops into a dance. The (main) motif of this dance is from a dance entitled Apollo and comes from Gambia. Its accompaniment consists of an ostinato pattern by balaphon-master Maudo Susa. The quiet middle movement is based on the rhythm of the 'gigbo' : a traditional dance from Ghana. In the final movement -which also bears a slight resemblanceto a theme from 'The Lion King'- the so-called 'Kono' rhythm is used. The work is played most advantageously using djembes. Challenge and please your percussion section with 'The African Connection'. Carl Wittrock's brede interesse voor de wereldmuziek resulteerde in dit op originele Afrikaanse ritmes gebaseerde concertwerk. Het slagwerk speelt uiteraard een opvallende rol maar ook het orkest kan zich op een heerlijke manier uitleven. De inleiding schildert het ontwaken van de natuur welke overgaat in een dans. Het motief van deze dans (Apollo) is afkomstig uit Gambia. De begeleiding bestaat uit een ostinaatpatroon van de balafon-meester Maudo Susa. De basis van het rustige middendeel is gelegen in het ritme van de Gigbo een traditionele dans uit Ghana. Het laatste deel (met enige gelijkenis met The Lion King) maakt gebruik van het zogenaamde Kono ritme. Het werk komt het best tot zijn recht als er gebruik wordt gemaakt van djembes. Daag uw percussie sectie uit en doe ze een groot plezier met: The African Connection!

Gawan Roberts wrote this march in 2001 on the occasion of the play Brassed Off which took place in the Frisian village of Jorwert. The march has been written in the virtuosic English brass band style. Gawan Roberts schreef deze mars in 2001 ter gelegenheid van de opvoering van het toneelstuk Brassed Off wat plaats vond in het Friese dorpje Jorwerd. De mars is geschreven in de virtuoze Engelse brass band stijl.

An attractive work by the hand of Al Govan. Musicians and listeners will enjoy this three-part suite including: O Come All Ye Faithfull Silent Night Hark the Herald Angels Sing and fragments including from Jingle Bells and Joy to the World.

Work and enjoyment go hand in hand in these ten fabulous compositions which provide educational and varied material for youth bands. The ten practice pieces together in one book (with comic illustrations) incorporate widely diverse tunes such as Ceremonial Prelude and The Verger's Favourite Song. The book also includes numbers that require singing stamping and shouting out (Chirpy Cha Cha and Ramble Bamble Rock). Pull out all the stops!

Music that sounds as clear as a bell and is very suitable for elementary bands. Attention to the clap hands part where there are two rhythms played simultaneously. Tip: Instruct the audience that can participate. A short rehearsal is necessary in connection with the two-parts. Luck and laughter guaranteed!

From the composer: High Flyers are regarded as people with promise and potential.They are winners. This is music for winners. The title as well as being a play-on-words implies the nature of the work. It is a bright optimistic and upbeat piece attempting to depict an exhilarating ride on flying carpet. The opening rising chords immediately suggest the gentle elevation of the carpets' ascent towards unknown heights leading to a hint of a first theme in the horns at Fig. B. The first four notes provide the thematic material for the whole work: C F G A. A perpetual sense of movement is achieved through accented quaver chords punctuating the melodicmaterial of the first main theme. Fig. E sees the music of the opening bars fully realised with flourishes from the euphonium and baritones representing swirling clouds shooting stars or passing birds in flight. The same subject is developed into a lyrical second theme with a new lush harmonic treatment evocative of gliding over an expanse of sparse countryside.This section ends with a note of serenity but is shattered by the urgent insistence of the percussion rhythms. The third section introduces a new idea with a slightly distorted fanfare in the cornets and trombones. This figure suggests for the first time that there may be trouble ahead. In fact there is no need to fear and the journey can continue without aggravation. This fanfare returns near the end to signal a final note of triumph. A new rhythmic variant of the cell motif emerges as the third theme now transformed by the addition of a triplet figure. The music steadily gains momentum before moving inexorably towards the climactic return of the music and tonality of the opening bars of the piece.

A march full of atmosphere in the Italian style. Verdi would be jealous. Full recording : Introducing the Fanfareband

A metronome can drive you crazy particularly when the tempo is fairly quick. But what would you think of a metronome that goes crazy itself? From the very beginning of this fun piece the machine tries to put the band on the wrong track and it almost works. Composer Peter Martin created a charming piece of music but the question is does it all end well? Use your imagination and creativity in Manic Metronome!

Both the dish and the music are unmistakable Hungarian. Movement has always been characteristic for this type of Slavonic music. With a hint to the Czardas it is one big party on the puszta.

This ballad will take you to the countryside of France where a genuine peace prevails. Picturesque villages and magnificent vistas in a musical way to show you this magnificent musical tribute to La France. An attractive sonorous melody is the basis for this composition using a effective instrumentation.