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.

You will achieve an impressive effect with this rousing march for beginners. Ben Christon is the composer of this harmonious piece which includes an important part for percussion in the middle section.

Glitter and glamour good-looking people a lot of Bling Bling and fast cars – images like these will cross our minds when we think of the movie world. However reality proves to be different : as a rule a tremendous amount of work will have been done on the set before a film is ready to be shown on the big screen. A visit to an actual movie set inspired John Emerson Blackstone to write a composition bearing the same name. He had both seen a number of characteristic attributes and heard the typical phrases used in film making and he incorporated them into ‘On the Movie Set’ . In the first part ‘The Clapboard’ a ‘director’s assistant’ is supposed to shout “Quieton the set’” and “Action!” as is done before a real scene is shot. Subsequently in order to create the right atmosphere the clacking of a ‘Clapboard’ should be heard. During a romantic scene we should be transported to another world by means of sweet sounds in the background so romantic music is of course heard in the next part ‘Love Scene’. At the end of a long working day ‘It’s a wrap’ is called on the set to inform everyone that the filming on that day is completed. Now there is only one more thing left to dream of : an Oscar..... Perf. Note: The use of the right props will add to the performance and appreciation of ‘On the Movie Set’. A red carpet and a glamorous reception should give your audience the feeling they are attending a real ‘opening night’!

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.

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.

‘Christmas Colours’ is a palette consisting of several Christmas songs. Bruce Fraser has mainly used the colours green (the colour of holly) and white (the colour of snow). This composition begins with the chiming of festive bells - if you listen well however you can already hear short fragments from 'The Holly and the Ivy' whose entire melody is finally played alternated with 'The Sussex Carol'. After this the pace slows down and the stately 'See amid the Winter Snow' sounds but parts from 'Jingle Bells' and 'Silent Night' can also be heard. Then after walking under 'The Holly and the Ivy' once again the celebration of Christmas may begin!

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.

The young have the future. This is the statement made at the beginning of ‘Like a Child’ by Andreas Ludwig Schulte. The opening radiates strength and ambition but one is also made to wonder which direction will be chosen which choices will have to be made. After the introduction the first steps on the path of life are taken still somewhat unsteadily (the 3/4th time used illustrates this uncertainty). However the child has now set off and will meet the future with an open mind unafraid even though experience will teach it how easily it can be hurt. Fortunately it is sometimes allowed to be vulnerable and it discovers there will always be someone to offer shelter support and love. (Adagio) The last part breathes a far greater independence. Youth is able to face the future it can even take on the whole world!

An easy suite with short parts for brass and percussion. 1. Entry - festive intrada 2. Choral - question and answer in a solemn choral 3. Tune - attention to articulation 4. Canon - many possibilities 5. Penta - eastern sounds 6. Swinging Out - a swinging encore piece

All cornets are in the spotlight in this musical parade. The melodic part in the middle provides the soloists with the necessary air. Success is assured because every beginning advanced professional or senior cornet-player can participate.

The young have the future. This is the statement made at the beginning of ‘Like a Child’ by Andreas Ludwig Schulte. The opening radiates strength and ambition but one is also made to wonder which direction will be chosen which choices will have to be made. After the introduction the first steps on the path of life are taken still somewhat unsteadily (the 3/4th time used illustrates this uncertainty). However the child has now set off and will meet the future with an open mind unafraid even though experience will teach it how easily it can be hurt. Fortunately it is sometimes allowed to be vulnerable and it discovers there will always be someone to offer shelter support and love. (Adagio) The last part breathes a far greater independence. Youth is able to face the future it can even take on the whole world!

In ‘A Summer Holiday’ Patrick Millstone takes us with him on a journey. After a year’s hard work we may finally enjoy a well-earned holiday. The first part of this three-part composition has the appropriate title ‘On Tour’. When we chose our holiday destination the brochure said that it would be bathed in sunlight every day. Unfortunately this turns out not to be the case. Somewhat melancholically we play round games in our summer house on a ‘Rainy Day’. However the next day when the sun again has driven away all the clouds we naturally visit the ‘Crowded Beach’ where we enjoy both sun sea and beach once again.

The Yiddish word ‘Klezmer’ has been derived from the Old Hebrew words ‘Kley’ (tool instrument) and ‘Zemer’ (song singing making music). Klezmer is the traditional music of Jews from Eastern Europe.Yiddish musicians (Klezmorim) were regularly invited to come and play at Yiddish weddings as well as several other Jewish celebrations and festive occasions. Despite its close connection with traditional Eastern European folk music Klezmer music has succeeded in preserving its distinctive Jewish character. ‘Klezmer Discovery’ is a voyage of discovery through the richly varied music of the Jewish people from Eastern Europe. The introduction consists of anumber of motives from different traditional melodies (a Mitzve Tenzel and L’cha Dodi) followed by a melody in 3/8th time (Kandel’s Hora). This dance melody originally came from Bessarabia (present-day Moldavia) and was taken along to America by Jewish musicians round 1900. Subsequently ‘Der Terk in Amerika’ a composition by famous clarinet player Naftule Brandwein can be heard. A number of fast cheerful dance melodies (bulgars) form the finale of ‘Klezmer Discovery’ (Lebedyk un Freylekh Lomir sich iberbetn and Sherele).

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?’

Is there something to be celebrated? Then let's play 'Let's Celebrate'! This four-part suite has been based on two birthday songs: the world-famous 'Happy Birthday to you' (which is also sung in many other languages) and the Dutch song 'Lang zal hij/zij leven'. The Fanfare opens in grand style with the motif of 'Lang zal hij leven' and is followed by a cheerful March in which the motifs of both songs can be heard. The third part Song forms a moment of contemplation and the birthday presents are unwrapped by the percussion section in the fourth part Surprise Party. The yell may be adapted to the occasion. (the sleigh bells caused the composer to note down this somewhat peculiar yell). Of course everybody is expected to join in.

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!

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.

The pleasure of waking up on your day off. No school and all the time in the world to do what you want. The members of your band will recognise this feeling in the atmosphere that the composer of this piece has created. Highly recommended!

In this composition William Vean takes you on a journey through the fascinating and exciting world of animals. Apart from it being a composition filled with special effects Animal Kingdom contains many educational elements such as playing inswing (triplets feeling) chromatics flutter tonguing gypsy tuning varying keys and of course dynamics and articulation. The melodic lines occur in all four voices as well as in all percussion parts providing each musician with theopportunity to play a solo or to accompany. Highly recommended for your youth band! William Vean is an educational composer. He knows how to musically shape the special elements from our daily lives. His music is therefore veryexpressive containing creative solutions to possible problems. Special ways of playing make his music particularly interesting for the winds but the percussion section is also featured in his special effects. The world of the animalsalways plays on ones imagination. In Animal Kingdom William Vean has portrayed a number of animals in a special manner: Kevin Kangaroo - The jumping character of this animal can be heard in different voices. The swing style alsoemphasizes the characteristic movements of the kangaroo. Playing in swing style can be practised by using scales. Eddy Elephant - For some of his smaller fellow fauna friends this can be quite an ordeal but for Eduard (Eddy for friendsand intimates) it is his daily walk. Baldrick Bat - Baldrick the Bat is a mysterious character. This can be heard in the fast moving valves and keys accompanied by special effects in the percussion section. Curtis Camel - Curtisthe Camel trudges across the desert feeling bored. The idea that the horizon will never change does not affect him anymore. He has accepted his fate. The distinctive tones from the gypsy scale provide the suitable oriental sounds. BettyButterfly - Butterfly Betty elegantly and without worries flutters from flower to flower in the garden. Her motto: Carpe Diem (Seize the Day). Betty is a one-day butterfly. Marvin Monkey - A swing monkey stirs up the feelings. Evenmembers of the orchestra will look like real monkeys. How about your audience? Each part has its own difficulties and challenges. Important in the first part is playing in swing (triplets feeling). This can be practised usingscales. In the second part ensemble playing and balance are important. In Baldrick additional information on the effects that have to be played might be useful. New sounds are of course welcome. Curtis the Camel introduces thegypsy scale. Additional explanation of the use of the scale might be useful. Key changes are interesting in this part. A slight accent on the first beat of the bar will add to the charm of this part. Marvin the Monkey brings back the swingrhythm that was introduced in the first part altern

Sitting behind his desk in his new office David Well thought : 'Well Done! After weeks of slogging he had his old office despite everything turned into a nice room. A lot of daylight fresh colors and a beautiful view of the rural setting. And you can hear it. Well Done!: light cheerful and excited in a pop / rock style with an slight hint of blues.