Marche comique- Il Presidente is a humorous march depicting a president’s appearance before his people! The president’s convoy is accompanied by a grand fanfare as he pulls up in his car. The people cheer and wave as the president starts to deliver his speech. Slowly their mood begins to shift and they become restless. Finally bored the people begin to drift away. The finale accompanies people as they return to the city in search of more interesting ways in which to spend their time. An amusing tongue-in-cheek piece that will add a little joy to any concert!

Storia Montana is an easy work which takes the audience on a scenic tour though the Austrian mountains. The journey begins on a dark drizzly morning gradually reaching its musical climax with the final ascent to the summit. Creative special effects conjuring up images of wind rain birds and cowbells all help accentuate the realism of the work.

In writing this piece Gino Bergamini was inspired by the figure of Davy Crockett hunter and pioneer in the colonisation of the western part of North America. The piece is built entirely on the smooth succession of intriguing themes and characterised by sharp rhythms. The themes after a short elaboration with an expressive and meaningful style return in a finale with rich sonority to recreate the fascinating atmosphere of that mythical hero Davy Crockett.

Gilbert Tinner composed the three-movement Opening Music specifically with incomplete and smaller ensembles in mind. Fanfares ring out as the main theme makes its first appearance accompanied by majestic rhythms. The calm and refl ective second movement lets the audience catch its breath before the festivities (and main theme!) return leading to a resounding and exciting finale!

This work was commissioned by the Österreichische Blasmusikjugend (Austrian Brass Band Association - Young Musicians).The Aboriginal indigenous people of Australia are among the oldest surviving human cultures. The arrival of the Europeans markedtheir decline and endangered their existence. The many secrets the Aborigines hold served as inspiration for this work. Aboriginal Spirit Over many centuries the Aboriginal people have cultivated a unique ability to live in harmony with theworld around them. Maintaining the deli¬cate balance between their trinity - nature man and creation - is an important factor for bliss and happiness. Primeval Sound and Dreamtime The tens of thousands-year-old stories from the era calledDreamtime - the Aborigines’ creation myth - play an important role in not only their be¬liefs but their everyday lives and laws as well. Ancestral worship and various other rituals and ceremonies are still held in high regard to this veryday. Running Hunter The Aborigines are extremely skilful hunters and are able to run for extended periods of time when chasing their prey. Hunting weapons such as the boomerang exemplify their abilities. Uluru (Red Rock) Uluru also knownas Ayers Rock is a natural sandstone “inselberg” rising 348m above Australia’s plains and is one of the country’s most recognisable icons. Uluru is also a sacred place for the local Aborigines. Its history stretches back to Dreamtime although itdid not exist in its current state at that time. Encounter with the White Men Unfortunately the “White Men” did not realize the significance and importance of the Aborigines and their culture until the end of the 20th century. Before then theywere unaware that the Aborigines were quite possibly one of the oldest known cultures on earth with a seamless history stretching back to creation itself; Dreamtime. Bushfire Fire has been present on the Australian continent for millions ofyears. Many of the indigenous flora and fauna have needed to adapt to fire and evolution has led to unique solutions for survival. Over time a complex symbiotic relationship has grown between life and the continually returning bushfire.

Solo for Clarinet and Band-Gilbert Tinner’s Clari-Fun-Key is an exciting twomovement work for solo clarinet and concert band. The first movement is in a rock-like funk style with fast flowing melodic figures. The second movement is in a much slower lyrical bossa nova style with the clarinet showing off its warm rich characteristic sound. A perfect piece for giving your clarinet soloist a bit of the limelight.

The celebrated Austrian composer Josef Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) owes his fame predominantly to his symphonies his masses his Te Deum his string quintets and his devotional church music including numerous motets. One of these is the magnificent Ecce sacerdos which Bruckner composed in 1885. The trombones and organ support the choral parts and the harmonies are inventive and glorious. The Austrian composer and arranger Thomas Doss has made this delightful arrangement for concert band which does justice to the impressive original work.

Each year on the last Monday in June the German city of Burgdorf celebrates the holiday of youth the so called ‘Solennitat’. It is the most important event occurring in the city and consists of three processions walking through the centre of town to celebrate at the city’s expense the good results achieved in school. This new work by Franco Cesarini takes it’s inspiration from this event and leads us through contrasting variations of a Swiss folk tune.

Nyx was the goddess of the night - one of the most ancient goddesses respected even by Zeus. This piece depicts the role she played in the creation of the world the generation of life and the formation of the four essential elements - fire water air and earth.

in memoriam Anton Bruckner-Le couvent de Saint-Florian a été le lieu de travail du compositeur autrichien Anton Bruckner qui y composa plusieurs de ses grandes symphonies. Ce couvent et sa superbe église sont situés au centre d’un paysage champêtre idyllique. St. Florian Choral (“Choral de Saint-Florian”) est un hommage à Anton Bruckner dont la musique a profondément marqué Thomas Doss.

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life est la célèbre chanson extraite de La Vie de Brian troisième film culte de la troupe des Monty Python. Ce long-métrage offre une vision parfaitement corrosive des mécanismes de la passion religieuse ou politique. L’humour noir y règne en maître particulièrement dans la scène finale où Brian crucifié par erreur entonne un joyeux refrain invitant ses co-crucifiés à voir les bons côtés de la vie ! L’arrangement de Stefan Schwalgin reste fidèle au message (positif) de la chanson.

A Little Suite of Horror is an easy suite for beginner bands consisting of five contrasting movements. With this piece it is also possible to pick and choose only a few movements to showcase at a concert as well. The story behind this composition is somewhat grim and ghoulish so prepare your musicians and audience for a nerve-wracking experience! Friday the 13th : A day unlike any other runs its mysterious course... Midnight Scene : Footsteps creaking and the hoot of an owl precede the twelve strokes of midnight ringing from the steeple. Suddenly a fairy-like apparition appears in the room. Wurdalak : Wurdalak is a vampiresque creature roaming aboutthe Slavic countries. A single bite makes entire villages cower and tremble in fear. Voodoo : Performing voodoo rituals has enchanted many a human over the years. Halloween Party March : Jack-o-lanterns skeletons zombies and other creepy characters march down the street. Is anyone brave enough to join this haunted parade?

Fantasie über deutschsprachige Weihnachtslieder - Fantasy on German Carols-Five well-known Christmas carols or folk-songs from the Alps are the basis for this Christmas fantasy: Andachtsjodler Aber heidschi bumbeidschi Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen Auf dem Berge da wehet der Wind and Stille Nacht heilige Nacht . The simple melodies and sounds will rekindle Christmas reminiscences from childhood. These happy memories and uplifting sounds are sure to put a smile on anyone's face.

for dixie ensemble and concert band-This scintillating work was written as a tribute to the jazz musicians of the New Orleans Dixieland and Chicago styles of the 20s and 30s. It consists of an opening swing section in true Dixieland style followed by a sleazy blues section. Ideally the band should be divided so there is a separate Dixieland band consisting of trumpet clarinet alto or tenor saxophone trombone banjo (optional) and tuba or double bass. Although the Dixieland band are mostly accompanied by the remainder of the concert band the accompanying players also get the chance to shine as every now and again they take over the musical themes.

This easy concert march can be divided into two parts. The first part which is rhythmical beautifully contrasts with the second part which is lyrical. Each section of the band has its turn in this concertmarch which in spite of its easy level of difficulty deserves the designation “five-star piece.”

dall' opera Aïda-The triumphal march from Aida is probably one of the best known classical works of all times. This superb transcription by Franco Cesarini retains the exciting spirit of the original. As always his name guarantees good quality - quality combined with the joy of recognition.

According to a famous statement by Herder folk songs represent the archives of a nation’s knowledge the expression of its heart and theimage that reflects its history and identity. Suite Marchigiana is a three movement piece inspired by folk songs from the Marche in central Italy a region with a very ancient and rich folkloristic heritage. The first movement elaborates on the well-known Pasquella . The Pasquella comes from a traditional winter begging ritual where a group of musicians go from house to house singing verses wishing their audience good health wealth and abundance in return for small amounts of money food and wine. The second movementis an Andante Triste inspired by an old song called Sona la mezzanotte (The Clock Strikes Midnight) a melancholic song that reminds us of unhappy love stories bereavement and so on. Luciano Feliciani concludes the suite with the Saltarello Marchigiano which is bright and sparkling and therefore in complete contrast with the previous movement. Although unproven the Saltarello is thought to have its origins in the 'saltatio' (a latin dance). While the choreae were group dances circular in structure and with a rhythmic progression the saltationes were more lively in character. The fast frenetic and joyous saltarello was without any doubt the most famous musical expression of rural central Italy in the nineteenth century.

This advanced work by Otto M. Schwarz is full of exciting time changes that follow affect the pulse rhythmically and melodically in exciting and unexpected ways. The solo trumpet's displays of technical prowess and bravura alternate with the film score- like sections of the piano. The slow almost elegiac central section can be performed on the flugel horn while the closing reprise demands that both the soloist give of their best as the piece comes to an exciting colourful and uplifting finale.

Nyx was the goddess of the night - one of the most ancient goddesses respected even by Zeus. This piece depicts the role she played in the creation of the world the generation of life and the formation of the four essential elements - fire water air and earth.

A technique much employed by Verdi is to alternate main scenes of a drama with others which allow the listener to relax temporarily. These moments are often entrusted to the choir (as in the case of the well-known Rataplan in La forza del destino ). In Trovatore the soldiers’ chorus precedes the scene of the capture of the gipsy woman Azucena by Conte di Luna’s men. The soldiers are about to attack the fortress of Castellor in which Manrico (the troubadour) and Leonora together with many other rebels have found shelter. The very easy-going choir is in blunt contrast to the following scene in which Ferrando the loyal squire of Conte di Luna recognizes theold gipsy woman. This recognition marks the beginning of wicked developments for all protagonists in this drama.