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

Harrie Janssen composed Analecta Varia in memory of Henk van Lijnschooten (1928-2006). He has been of great influence on the Dutch music for wind instruments. As a conductor and as a member of the jury but above all as a prominent composer. Consists of eight sound studies that can also be performed separately. In each part a particular orchestral aspect is the central point. The eight parts 1. Choral : ensemble in monophonic texture. 2. Air : relatively free line patterns combined with a constant pulse. 3. Pavana : constant rhythmicity culminating in an orchestral tutti. 4. Lullaby : dissonant harmonyabove an organ point in a filigree instrumentation. 5. Chaconne : color and virtuosity combined with a rigid pasacaglian theme. 6. Interlude : antithesis woodwind/brass and followed by a synthesis of the before. 7. Fugue : ensemble in a polyphonic texture. 8. Epilogue : final canto in a preponderating strong dynamic where a constant euphony has to be pursued.

Trimbeka can be translated as “three streams ” and refers to the streams that once flowed around a market town in Holland called Georredijk. Opening with the sinister sounds of the moorland on the edge of the town we then hear the hustle and bustle of the market itself. A slower middle section is an ode to the beautiful surrounding scenery.

In this colorful ballad is charity high in standard. Egbert van Groningen composed Hymn of Brotherhood for the youthband of St. Jan in Wierden (NL). The music exudes respect appreciation and devotion. In our current increasingly individualized society a beautiful reflective contemplative time.

Composer of Groningen Egbert composed the march Hellender in response to the opening of the bandroom of the Hellendoornse Harmonie (NL). The joyfull sounds of the march let you hear how well the total refurbished building now looks again: fresh bright and spacious! The name Hellender was chosen from historical awareness. The village Hellendoorn is an ancient village as shown by archaeological finds. In 1078 the name Hellender can be found in the archives. Hellender changed into Hellendoorn later.

Gaudete' comes from the Finnish/Swedish 'Piae Cantiones' a collection of religious music from the 16th century. The English folk group 'Steeleye Span' featuring female lead singer Maddy Prior had a hit with this song in the seventies. Peter Martin made a scintillating arrangement for wind-band. By the use of fourths and thirds in the melody the composer harks back to the period from which the song originated (The Middle Ages)

Who begins? Who follows? In 'Who's next?' the orchestra is divided up into two parts a number of times. The division seems random but on close scrutiny it becomes clear at the end that sides are clearly taken also in playing the melody first one section and then .... who'll be next? 'Who's next?' is solid Rock no nonsense going straight ahead.

The Netherlands have been an important trading nation for a long time – partly as a result of their geographical situation. One of the first multinationals in The Netherlands was the ‘Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie’ (VOC). The aim of the VOC was to send ships to Asia in order to buy pepper and spices and to take over the Portuguese monopoly in this field. The Company was successful. An era of great prosperity resulted in which the art of painting (Rembrandt van Rijn) as well as science (Constantijn Huygens) flourished alongside a thriving economy. 1. The Sails are set : There is a lot of hustle and bustle on the quay. The crew are preparing fordeparture. Goodbyes are said and once the sails have been hoisted the ship sets out to sea. 2. A Visit to the Rajah of Yogyakarta: After a voyage of many months the place of destination is reached. A visit to the Radja the king of the area around Yokyakarta follows. The dishes and beverages and the native culture in general are very pleasant after having been on a diet of ship’s biscuit and water for such a long time. 3. The Holds have been loaded: The holds have been loaded to the brim and the voyage home can be begin! 4. Death sails along: Life at sea is rough. not seldom did a sailor die of a tropical disease or scurvy. After a memorial service the Captain would speak the words ‘One two three in God’s name ...’ and the body wrapped in canvas would be committed to the sea. 5. A joyful homecoming: After many months of hardship coming home is perhaps the best part of the entire voyage. The quay is filled with people eager to give the crew a warm welcome.

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 inthe course 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.

Harrie Janssen composed Analecta Varia in memory of Henk van Lijnschooten (1928-2006). He has been of great influence on the Dutch music for wind instruments. As a conductor and as a member of the jury but above all as a prominent composer. Consists of eight sound studies that can also be performed separately. In each part a particular orchestral aspect is the central point. The eight parts 1. Choral : ensemble in monophonic texture. 2. Air : relatively free line patterns combined with a constant pulse. 3. Pavana : constant rhythmicity culminating in an orchestral tutti. 4. Lullaby : dissonant harmonyabove an organ point in a filigree instrumentation. 5. Chaconne : color and virtuosity combined with a rigid pasacaglian theme. 6. Interlude : antithesis woodwind/brass and followed by a synthesis of the before. 7. Fugue : ensemble in a polyphonic texture. 8. Epilogue : final canto in a preponderating strong dynamic where a constant euphony has to be pursued.

Aarwangen- Crossroads is an attractive concert work of four interconnected movements written for the 23rd music festival of the Bernese Cantonal Music Association in Aarwangen Switzerland. The work has the river Aare to thank for the title of Crossroads — it was an important trading hub especially until the age of road building in the 18th century. The lively introduction is followed by a beautiful waltz and a romantic middle section. In the robust finale the orchestra can reallyroll its sleeves up!

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) wrote the lyrics of There is a land of pure delight and is known as the Father of English Hymnody. Watts was for the English hymn as Ambrose was for the medieval Latin hymn and what Martin Luther was for the German chorale. He wrote about 750 songs and some of them survide the ravahes of time. (Joy To The World When I survey the wondrous cross I sing the Mighty Power of God) There is a Land of Pure Delight is usually in English-speaking areas sung on Luther Orlando Emerson's melody ('Ascription'). Here is used a traditional English melody ('Mendip'). There is a land of pure delight Wheresaints immortal Reign. Infinite day excludes the night And pleasures banish pain.

Everybody is familiar with the zoo. Remember all those animals? Big ones small ones. Water dwellers air-bound birds long legged hoppers creeping bugs. All animals seem to have their own peculiarities. Now Carl Wittrock (who also composed the world-famous master piece 'Lord Tullamore') invites you to join him in a musical exploration of the animal kingdom. An invitation you must not reject! In his 'A view at the Zoo' Wittrock presents ten distinctly different animals as compositions of music. You may be familiar with some of those animals such as the white swan or the butterfly but there are also more exotic breeds like the lion the monkey or theelephant. The composition as a whole is built around a structure of shorter fragments reminiscent of 'The Paintings Exhibition' by Moussorgsky. The parts are decorated with recognizable illustrations of the different animals. At each composition Wittrock looks for something that can fascinate both musicians and listeners. In this he succeeded extremely well.

The Samba is a Latin American dance which is mostly associated with parties as a result of the fast tempo in which it is usually played. ‘Sumba Samba’ forms an exception to this rule. In order to get this samba to swing it is important to stick to the tempo prescribed. ‘Sumba Samba’ starts with a motif which will play an important role throughout the piece. This motif can be heard in the first notes of the ‘refrain’ and as said before has been used in the introduction as well as in the transition after the middle part (letter G). Furthermore it plays an important role in the middle part itself (letter E) in which the samba has momentarily disappeared and acompletely different atmosphere has been created. At letter H we pick up where we left off with the samba and swing to the end of this composition.

The Samba is a Latin American dance which is mostly associated with parties as a result of the fast tempo in which it is usually played. ‘Sumba Samba’ forms an exception to this rule. In order to get this samba to swing it is important to stick to the tempo prescribed. ‘Sumba Samba’ starts with a motif which will play an important role throughout the piece. This motif can be heard in the first notes of the ‘refrain’ and as said before has been used in the introduction as well as in the transition after the middle part (letter G). Furthermore it plays an important role in the middle part itself (letter E) in which the samba has momentarily disappeared and acompletely different atmosphere has been created. At letter H we pick up where we left off with the samba and swing to the end of this composition.

In 2006 Brabant will be celebrating it’s 900th anniversary. On May 13th 1106 the count Van Leuven was appointed duke of Brabant. This was the birth of the duchy of Brabant. For centuries this duchy situated in the heart of the Netherlands was the primary of the seventeen provinces in the Lowlands. Brabant formed with it’s capital cities Brussels Leuven Antwerp and ‘s-Hertogenbosch the focal point for politics culture and economy. The revolution against Spain (1566-1648) caused a fracture between the North and South. The old duchy was divided into a Dutch and Belgian part. Even though each had their own historical background the bond forged in the past was partially keptalive. To this day we still have a duke of Brabant. Brabantia Aeterna takes you on a musical journey through 900 years of Brabant history. A fascinating journey portraying war and peace love and grief prosperity and adversity development and deterioration. Listen to how monks chanted bells tolled and churches were built. Or take the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries with their bustling markets builders of cities or the bleating of countless sheep across the heather. The plague tribulations soldiers and political bickering in the following centuries. Hear how the industrialisation of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries provided prosperity for the region and how to this day the following saying still applies: ‘the road to Brabant leads to a warmer world’ Brabantia Aeterna was commissioned by the Brabantse Bond van Muziekverenigingen (Brabant Music Society) in honour of its fifth anniversary.

Norwegian folk song arranged by Ray Steadman-Allen as a flugel horn solo. Noors volksliedje door Ray Steadman-Allen gearrangeerd voor flugel solo en brassband.

You only have had a couple of months of lessons and already you are to play a solo at your band's annual gala concert. in a big concerthall on a huge platform and in front of people from your own town or village. Now there's something ! This circumstance inspired Jerry Bensman into writing your very first solo piece with band accompaniment. The solo part may be played by various instruments and was kept very simple indeed. Parts are available in various transpositions and keys.

Who begins? Who follows? In 'Who's next?' the orchestra is divided up into two parts a number of times. The division seems random but on close scrutiny it becomes clear at the end that sides are clearly taken also in playing the melody first one section and then .... who'll be next? 'Who's next?' is solid Rock no nonsense going straight ahead.

Music for Excelsior