Latin Music in three variations. Caribbean Sketches takes the band and audience from the reggae sound of Beach Party to the siesta Lazy Afternoon and concludes with a rousing finale in Let's dance. Don't forget your sunglasses!

Timothy Travis composed this wedding march for a relative. This march in an Italian format brings the warmth of a southern European wedding party (matrimonio) within reach.

Yo-ho It's Christmas Time could be just a cry from the mouth of Santa Claus. David Well used this as the title for this three-part composition. First the very familiar Jingle Bells in a relaxed style followed by the sensitive Negro spiritual Mary Had a Baby.. Finally hear We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

A delicacy for the eye ear and taste buds that was originally created by a Parisian cook in London. A musical haven of peace as a dessert and a romantic highlight of a diner a la carte. The melodic lines are relaxed and smooth and will definitely take you to another dimension for a while.

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.

The title is a popular saying in England. It means that's where the money is. Where there's muck there's power is such a popular expression in the United Kingdom. The saying inspired Peter Martin to compose a highly attractive piece in four parts consisting of contemporary dances that can also be performed separately. Let's dance!

The party atmosphere of the beaches in Rio de Janeiro is famous worldwide. Holiday in Rio brings this party to life and right from the first bar conjures up a Brazilian spirit on the concert stage. No one will be able to resist the infectious rhythms of this exciting piece!

Fanitullen is a lively beautiful ‘Sl?tt’ i.e. an old Norwegian melody which is played on a traditional ‘Hardingfele’ (Hardanger fiddle). Because of its violent rhythm and exciting character playing a Fanitullen for a long time was considered improper. It was believed that a person playing this melody would come under the influence of the devil. Therefore Fanitullen could be regarded as a kind of Rock’n Roll from the 18th century. Tom Brevik’s adaptation is based on a composition for piano by Ole Olsen (1850-1927)

Energetic music which invites you to dance because it is hard to keep still with this shuffle. And you don't have to. Feel like a fish in water in this Seafood Shuffle which includes some flashy solos. Solo parts in C Eb and Bb are included.

In ‘Land of Legends’ German composer Andreas Ludwig (what’s in a name) Schulte takes you along to the fictional world of legends myths and fairy tales. The introduction to the first part (The Castle) describes the majestic contours of the scene of action. Its instrumentation (horns) immediately makes you imagine being in Medieval spheres. The addition of trenchant copper instruments even gives the part a heroic tinge. After entering through the gate a lot of hustle and bustle appears to be going on in the courtyard. Pages squires and soldiers are busy attending to their arms. Beer is being brewed flax is being spun cattle are being tended and some craftsmen fromneighbouring villages are busily at work. In the upper chamber of the round tower lives an old man (The Old Wizard). He hardly ever comes out and nobody knows exactly what he is doing. It is said that he is engaged in wizardry and magic. It is all very mysterious. There are also festivities some of them sober others exuberant. The wedding in the third part is celebrated in a grand manner. With a flourish of trumpets the bride makes her entrance at the hand of her father. Afterwards at the party there is dancing to the music played by minstrels and of course a plentiful banquet follows.

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.

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.

Durkle Bandrydge is the name of the composers imaginary world but it could very well be anyones invisible dream world with a different name. In this very versatile suite by Bruce Fraser 8 characters are featured each with its ownpeculiarities making Durkle Bandrydge such a colourful place. Do these characters differ that much from us? That is for you to find out! In the last part all characters come together in a special way. Durkle Bandrydge exists at the end ofyour street. It is invisible to humans but Durkle Bandrygators can watch us with great interest. The music will introduce you to some of the characters who live in this unusual place. The parts: Somnanbulyss who is a giant trollguarding the entrance to Durkle Bandryde. At least he is supposed to but he tends to sleep most of the time. His music is therefore very slow moving and sleepy. Long Gwysteen is a tall mysterious and somehow sophisticated character who walls around with a shell on his back. His music glides along rather gracefully. Squelfitch is a rather unpleasant and smelly character who lives in a bog which is why his music sounds rather slimy and a bit like trying to walkthrough quicksand. Perfydlia is a meddling old woman who gossips about everybody and squeals with sudden delight at the small exciting bits of tittletattle about others in the village. In the music you can hear her sudden little squealsof delight. Maryann Lovely is a beautiful young lady graceful gorgeous absolutely devine and her music is obviously just the same. Thistledoo Nicely is a lively character who spends and spends and spends with her credit card buying the latest fashion and never worries about having to pay the bills. Her music reflects her excitement when shopping and het ‘happy go lucky’ approach to life. Marsyn Edginton is the Lord of the manor the richest man in town the‘big cheese’ the man with all the power and of course the biggest house. He is very grand and his music like he could be a king. Jimmy McScotsmyn is a red haired scotsman wearing tartan cap. He misses his home country terribly and eatslots of shortbread oatcakes scotch eggs porridge and drinks an enormous amount of Scotch Wisky which helps him to have fond memories of the kind of music he would like to dance to when he was a younger man. His favourite dance is a Jig andthis is the music he remembers. Grand March of the Durkle Bandrydgators. We hope that you have enjoyed meeting these characters from Drukle Bandrydge and would invite you to listen to all the villagers now march along in a grand parade -it is a pity that you can not see them what is a wonderful sight. If you listen carefully you will hear the melodies which belong to the characters as they march past. Oh what a grand spectacle!

This delightful ballad in which the solo horn plays a leading role will remind many people of a very special moment in their lives. A lot could be said about it but perhaps it is better to let the music speak for itself. While listening to this romantic ballad unforgettable moments are sure to be relived by many people. Daydreaming is allowed but don’t forget to pay some attention to the soloist’s performance – it will be worth your while.

If there is one country whose music everyone can recognize it is China. Both the pentatonic patterns and the atmosphere will take you there. And Peking Duck is a delicacy that you simply must try!

‘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!

The Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep IV better known as Achnaton was the second son and successor of Amenhotep III. He reigned the New Kingdom from 1353 until 1336 BC. Achnatons lack of interest in the economic well-being of Egypt ushered ina revolutionary period in Egyptian history. His harsh reign induced much suffering under the population. During this period when it was customary for a pharaoh to have many wives he had taken his cousin Nefertete to reign as queen at hisside. An elegant and very beautiful woman she used her influence to ease the turmoil caused by Achnaton. Combined with her grace her presence at public functions led to a greater popularity among her subjects than the pharaoh enjoyedhimself. Being mostly preoccupied with religious questions he declared that all the other gods did not exist. There was only one god the Aten and it was the sun itself. It was now necessary to change his name: ‘Amenhotep’ meaning ‘the god Amun is satisfied’ because he didnt want to be associated with Amun or any of the other deities. He renamed himself ‘Achnaton’ which means ‘servant of the Aten’ -- a much more appropriate title! In the sixth year of his reignAchnaton also moved the capital to a brand new city called Achet-Aton (‘the Horizon of the Aten’) which was where Tel el-Amarna stands today. He did this to further isolate himself from the ‘old’ religion since the previous capital Thebes was thecentre of worship of Amun. This new religion created an up rise among the population and high priests. In spite of Nefertetes influence the falling economy and religious conflict resulted in the decline of the Egyptian empire. Hoping toforget it ever happened people later tried to eradicate all traces of Achnaton and his successors rule by smashing their statues mutilating their mummies and ruining their relief carvings. From that moment on he was remembered as the‘heretic king’. This composition was partially funded by the ‘Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds’.

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.

‘Jubilant Prelude’ is an orchestration of the ‘Preludium over Psalm 150’ originally composed for organ by Toon Hagen. Since 1998 Toon Hagen has been organ-player of the ‘Grote or Sint Michaëlskerk’ in Zwolle (the Netherlands). He has written several ‘contemporary’ compositions for organ.‘Jubilant Prelude’ has a capricious character by the use of irregular measures and its many measure changes. The structure of the Prelude is that of a fugue and is based on motives from the psalm.After the first climax which is both dynamic and harmonic the theme in the Andante Jubiloso is clearly audible and it is alternated with erratic motifs. Tension increases until at last the psalm itself isheard in all its glory. The melody of the psalm sounds as a cantus firmus in tenor register with motifs in ornamentation for saxophones bugles and trumpets. The finale like the prelude is capricious and vehement.The instrumentation for fanfare band was made by Wim Rouw. It is particularly colourful and has a surprising role for the percussion section.

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.