The sparkling music from Soweto (South Africa) has a long history. The rhythmic dances of Kwela the 'syncopated guitars' of Mbaqanga the saxophones and trumpets with their supple African jazz sounds as well as the infectious and sometimes gripping choir singing. All these elements can be recognized when listening to the 'Soweto String Quartet' which in its turn inspired Peter Martin to write 'Soweto Swing'.

E tangi ana cow Hine e Hine ... Do not cry girl do not cry ... Every culture has its own melodies to comfort children to sleep. Jan Gerrit Adema made a beautiful arrangement of this lovely folk melody of the Maori also called the national anthem of New Zealand.

Trimbeka is a composition which owes its existence to the anniversary of music society “de Vlecke” in Gorredijk. The name Gorredijk originates from “goor” or “gor” which means : bog. Along the marshy peat ran a “dijk” (the Dutch word for dike) called the Gordijk. The name of the village resembles that of the home town of the composer himself who comes from a town in Twente called Goor. Three streams used to run through the area around Gorredijk. the historical name Trimbeets (Trimbeka) meaning three brooks recalls this to mind. Gorredijk was a flourishing “Vlecke” i.e. large village which was situated on an intersection of important connecting roads.The liveliness which this entailed is one of the distinctive elements in Trimbeka. Furthermore ominous sounds possibly refer to the dangers of the bog while the resonance of the merriment during the annual fair can also be heard. The slow middle movement is an ode to the beautiful landscape surrounding the village.

Carl Wittrock composed La Viuda Negra (The Black Widow) for the Dutch Brass Band Championships (2010). A Spanish tinged composition filled with drama and emotion. La Viuda Negra is a Spanish widow dressed in black clothes. Her face is marked by traces of sorrow but her speaking eyes and sanguineous appearance attracts the attention of everyone. Many man's heart should beat faster! What is the story of this mysterious woman? The black widow (Latrodectus Mactan) is also the nickname of a spider. This spider is well known for the distinctive black and red coloring of the female of the species and for the fact that she will occasionally eat her mateafter reproduction.

The tradition of the Christmas tree in Western Europe dates back to a time long before any Christianization had taken place. During the severely cold winter nights so it was believed evil spirits tried to ‘kill’ nature. Needle-leaved trees were the only ones which kept their green colour throughout the year and therefore became symbols of immortality. These ‘living’ trees said to be the work of benign spirits were brought into people’s houses to ward off evil life-threatening powers. In the 14th century people first started to decorate Christmas trees. It was a pagan custom originated by the inhabitants of Alsace. This custom was taken over by the Church in thecourse of the 15th and 16th century. At first the decoration consisted mainly of edibles such as apples and wafers but later small presents were added. Legend has it that the reformer Martin Luther was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree with candles. The flickering candle flames were meant to create the image of a starry sky in which Christ’s apparition could be recognized. The German organ-player Ernst Anschütz from Leipzig was the first person to notate the song ‘O Tannenbaum’ the melody being a well-known folk song. Next to ‘Stille Nacht’ ‘O Tannenbaum’ is the most famous German Christmas song now known throughout the world. In the United States of America the melody of ‘O Tannenbaum’ has even been used in four States (among which the State of Maryland) for their State song. In David Well’s arrangement the song is first heard as many of us know it. After this introduction however it is transformed into a solid rock version and the beat has been changed. In the second part the familiar three-four time is back but here the rhythm is different from the original. After the richly ornamented rock beat the basic theme can be heard once again and the composition is concluded in a festive manner.

A Fantasy-Angels and demons are just two of the mythical creatures that appear in Marc Cunningham’s imaginative three-part composition for concert band. The ‘good’ are always shown in opposition to the ‘evil’ in this work. Musically this con_x001D_flict is expressed as diatonic versus chromatic consonance versus dissonance and darker sounds opposed to lighter-sounding sections. Which is victorious at the end of the piece? You might be in for a surprise…

The Horn of Plenty is a composition which allows to present the Horn in many styles. The opening has an heroic character and exudes an Spanish atmosphere. The next part is a playful and lighthearted Leggiero . The melody used in bar 38 has an oriental sound through melodic use of the harmonic scale. The Andante is a parody on a piano etude by the composer Stephen Heller a Frenchman of Hungarian descent. The piece ends with a relaxed swing area in which the Horn also in a different way can be heard.

Iedereen kind of ouder kent (nog) wel het gevoel van het bijwonen van een poppenkast voorstelling. Of de hoofdpersonen nu Kaspar en Grete (Duitsland) of Pulcinella (Italië) heten Petrushka (Rusland) of Jan Klaassen en Katrijn (Nederland) er doen zich altijd humoristische spannende en hilarische taferelen voor. De oerpersonage is Pulcinella waarin het woord 'pulcino' (kuikentje) te herkennen is. Hij heeft dan ook een snavelvormige neus een hanige tred en een kwakende stem. In Engeland heten de hoofdpersonen Punch and Judy. Punch stapt onbekommerd door het leven maar vindt samen met zijn Judy spanning en verdriet op zijn pad. De kwakende stem van Punch isduidelijk te horen door het gebruik van de 'kazoo'. Hun leven kent verrassende wendingen. Dat is te horen in een 'slapstick'-achtig gedeelte aan het slot van deze voor alle leeftijden geschikte voorstelling.

In A Knight's Tale Wilco Moerman takes the listener back to the Middle Ages when castles knights’ tournaments and charming ladies were the order of the day. It describes scenes of the middle ages as one would expect from fairytales or movies featuring this period - with a duel between knights hidden romances and a battlefield. The composer makes sure that all groups are well represented and includes lots of brass and percussion as well as chanting melodies and spectacular virtuoso segments which make this piece a perfect contest or concert opportunity.

This composition of Marc Cunningham has four parts and takes place on a sunny day in a picturesque town. 1. Promenade Many people walk through the city. The band passes through the streets. People are strolling along the avenues and amorous couples are sitting on a park bench. 2. Lovey Dovey One of these couples is knee-deep in love. 3. Crispy and Creamy Here the contrasts between a crisp staccato section in two-four time signature and a smooth legato section in three-four time signature are depicted. Is Crispy the boy and Creamy the girl? 4. Farewell In the last particle the couple says goodbye. We still think back tothe walk through the city. It sounds a little less happy now. Not everyone is good at saying goodbye sometimes a tear flows.

Bundle of 4 Marches written by the 'King of Marches' Harm Evers. 1. In Festive Mood 2. Parade of Sails 3.Times Square 4. Pioneers March

‘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’.

Noel is based on the famous English Carol The First Noel. The age of this song is not clear.Some scientists argue that tis song is from early thirteenth century others say that it's from the sixteenth century. The first publication was in 'Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern' compiled by William B. Sandys. (London 1833). The exact origin is unknown. By Norman influences on the text with the result that the spelling of the song is not certified (Noel Nowell) an individual will sometimes claim that France is the cradle of this song but in general assumes that the First Noel 'for the first time somewhere in England sung.

Shalom Chaverim is an ancient Hebrew (farewell)song which was originally sung at the end of a celebration or meeting. It was and is mostly sung as a round. Freely translated the words mean “Goodbye friends goodbye and see you again!”. The varying moods at a parting have been captured very well by Andreas Schulte in his arrangement ‘Variations on Shalom Chaverim’. The composer himself says about the song ‘Although the melody is in a minor key the overall atmosphere in the song is positive. one wishes each other all the best. Saying goodbye however also hurts. When you slow down the pace of the melody and add ‘blue notes’ in the harmonies this can be sensed immediately.’Schulte refers here to the first variation. The second variation is very intense with possibly even deeper-felt emotions. ‘Variations on Shalom Chaverim’ ends on a cheerful and positive note in fast tempo and with oriental elements in the melody: ‘L'hitra'ot Shalom’ (See you again and farewell!).

Fort Fincastle was built in 1793 by royal governor 'Lord Dunmore at an unusual location: Nassau the capital of the Bahamas. The name of the fort: Fort Fincastle' comes from Dunmore's second title of Viscount Fincastle '( Earl of Fincastle). He gave the fort a particular shape a circular building with a sharp expansion in the form of a bow or bow of ship. In order to deceive enemy ships. The sounds of the first bars show the contours of a looming majestic stronghold after a heroic theme follows. Soon we hear the threat of hostile elements. Work on the fort means much waiting and lonely but you should always alert and vigilant for the ever lurking attack. After the turn of yet another attack there is a feeling of satisfaction and pride we see the fort are on the hill towering above Nassau.

E tangi ana cow Hine e Hine ... Do not cry girl do not cry ... Every culture has its own melodies to comfort children to sleep. Jan Gerrit Adema made a beautiful arrangement of this lovely folk melody of the Maori also called the national anthem of New Zealand.

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451. His father was a wool merchant. Originally he seemed destined to follow in his father’s footsteps and thus sailed the oceans to countries as far apart as Iceland and Guinea. In 1476 his ship was sunk during a battle off the coast of Portugal. Columbus saved his own life by swimming to shore. In 1484 he conceived the idea of sailing to the Indies via a westward sea route but it was only in 1492 that he was able to realize this plan. On this first voyage he was in command of three ships: the flag-ship called the Santa Maria the Pinta and the Ni?a. From Spain Columbus sailed via the Canary Islands to the Bahamas whichhe sighted on October 12th 1492. Without being aware of it Columbus discovered the ‘New World’ – he thought he had landed in the eastern part of Asia. The motif from Dvoøák’s 9th Symphony ‘Aus der neuen Welt’ forms a little counterfeit history at this point in the composition. After this first voyage Columbus was to undertake another three long voyages to America. These voyages were certainly not entirely devoid of misfortune. More than once he was faced with shipwreck mutiny and the destruction of settlements he had founded. After Columbus had left for Spain from Rio Belen in 1503 he beached his ships on the coast of Jamaica. The crew were marooned there and it was only after a year that Columbus succeeded in saving his men and sailing back to Spain with them. In the music the misunderstanding about which continent Columbus discovered in his lifetime resounds for does this part in the composition not contain Asiatic motifs? Poor Columbus! In 1506 the famous explorer died in Valladolid.

It is true that tastes differ. Coffee has known a long history : it has been drunk since the 17th century. On one hand people drink coffee for relaxation on the other hand it is drunk to ward off tiredness or sleepiness. ‘Strong Coffee’ composed by Ron Gilmore works both ways. There will be people who will be able to relax during ‘Strong Coffee’ whereas others will experience it as a real boost. Is it a bit too strong after all such a funky Soul Beat? Then adding a little milk might help. As said before tastes differ!

Don Quichote de la Mancha is a tasteful musical adaptation of the famous novel by Miguel de Cervantes in four lively movements: The first movement presents the wise nobleman Don Quixote and in the second movement we see Dulcinea with whom the Don has an imaginary romance. The third movement deals with Don Quixote’s loyal servant Sancho Panza and in the fourth movement we meet Rocinante the Don’s long-suffering horse!

Shalom Chaverim is an ancient Hebrew (farewell)song which was originally sung at the end of a celebration or meeting. It was and is mostly sung as a round. Freely translated the words mean “Goodbye friends goodbye and see you again!”. The varying moods at a parting have been captured very well by Andreas Schulte in his arrangement ‘Variations on Shalom Chaverim’. The composer himself says about the song ‘Although the melody is in a minor key the overall atmosphere in the song is positive. one wishes each other all the best. Saying goodbye however also hurts. When you slow down the pace of the melody and add ‘blue notes’ in the harmonies this can be sensed immediately.’Schulte refers here to the first variation. The second variation is very intense with possibly even deeper-felt emotions. ‘Variations on Shalom Chaverim’ ends on a cheerful and positive note in fast tempo and with oriental elements in the melody: ‘L'hitra'ot Shalom’ (See you again and farewell!).