Philip Sparke’s Starter Studies is the first volume of a progressive series of study books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician.This collection of 65 studies offers a choice of starting note to suit individual tastes and carefully introduces new musical elements such as articulation dynamics and key signatures in a structured progression to speed the learning process.

The history of rock and roll can be traced back as far as the musical influence of the first African slaves to arrive in North America. The style borrows heavily from rhythm and blues and early rock stars such as Ike Turner Bill Haley Chuck Berry Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley had a huge influence through the newly-invented juke box and liberated the youth of the day by giving them a music of their own. Rockin? Tumpets gives the young band a chance to rock and roll with the trumpets taking the lead. Treat your trumpets to this lively solosection feature.

Band director and radio presenter Yutaka Nishida hails from Tokyo and has long been a friend of composer Philip Sparke. As well as conducting bands and teaching he also presents a weekly two-hour music programme focusing on both brass and concert bands on the Japanese national radio station Digital Radio Musicbird.The programme is called The Bandwagon and the radio station commissioned Philip Sparke to write a march which could be used as a theme tune for the programme. The result is this bright and breezy march in simple ABA form.

from Cantata No 208 'The Hunt Cantata'-There are just over twenty secular cantatas in Bach's prolific output which include The Coffee Cantata (No 211) The Wedding Cantata (No 202) Phoebus and Pan (No 201) and the Hunt Cantata (No 208) which contains the famous aria Sheep May Safely Graze. Written for four vocal soloists it was originally scored for a relatively large orchestra (including flutes (recorders) oboes and horns) and mixed choir. Although secular in character the words describe how well a faithful shepherd keeps watch over his flock and hence has obvious allusions to the teachings of the Christian church. Bring a bit of the Baroque era to your concert with this first class arrangement by Philip Sparke.

Morning Song features the horn quartet mostly in a soloistic role - indeed there is an accompanied cadenza towards the end of the piece - but there are moments where the horns assume their conventional concert band role as harmonic support or playing the counter melody. This expressive composition shows all the versatility of the horn quartet and gives them the chance to be in the spotlight.

25 Famous Carols-Philip Sparke’s Classic Christmas brings together 25 of the most popular Christmas carols which can either be played with the CD accompaniments or with organ or piano using the separate accompaniment book which fits with all the instrumental books. They can be performed as solos and are all in suitable keys to accompany congregational singing. Twenty-five famous Christmas carols for Instrumental solos or Ensembles with the same instruments. Includes a Play along CD of accompaniments and demonstration tracks.

In The Pioneers Philip Sparke salutes the bicentenary of an expedition by two all time American heroes - Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They were commissioned by US President Thomas Jefferson to find the headwaters of the Missouri and a route to the Pacific following the Louisiana Purchase which doubled the size of the USA. They set out as the ‘Corps of Discovery’ from Louisville Kentucky in May 1804 and not only did they succeed in reaching the Pacific through hostile territory but also found their way back - in 3 years! The piece is not descriptive of the journey but gives the composer the opportunity to celebrate the 200th anniversary of this amazing feat. Add a touchof the wild-west to any concert with this exciting work.

During his short lifetime Max Reger (1873-1916) was a prolific composer with many of his best known works being composed for organ. The ten chorale preludes in this selection are from his set of Thirty Short Chorale Preludes Op.135a composed as short voluntaries for liturgical use rather than for recitals in these arrangements Philip Sparke has kept this in mind and each prelude can be performed with minimal instrumentation for those occasions where a small band is needed. They also make great pieces for band warm-ups or studies in intonation sound and balance.

A feature for flugel and tenor horns based on the Passion Chorale-This timeless melody by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612) is now chiefly remembered because of its inclusion in J S Bach’s St. Matthew Passion (hence its title) where it is treated to a variety of rich harmonisations. It is mostly sung to Paulus Gerhardt’s words O Sacred head! sore wounded .This setting features the flugel and horns who first play a lyrical descant to the famous hymn tune and then the melody itself against a Bach-like obbligato in the accompaniment.

Edward MacDowell can be regarded as the first great American composer although he disliked the idea of being classified as any sort of musical nationalist. He composed a large number of orchestral works but it is the charming and unpretentious suite of musical miniatures Woodland Sketches that has survived as his best-known work with To a Wild Rose being the most popular. Philip Sparke has expertly arranged this simple work for brass band.

I>Colorado Springs est une œuvre de commande pour l’Orchestre d’Harmonie de l’Académie Militaire de l’Armée de l’Air des États-Unis placé sous la direction et le commandement du Lieutenant Steve Grimo.La ville de Colorado Springs siège de l’Académie Militaire de l’Armée de l’Air des États-Unis est située à l’extrémité sud des montagnes Rocheuses dans un environnement naturel spectaculaire. Véritable paradis pour les randonneurs les grimpeurs et les skieurs la ville attire chaque année des touristes du monde entier. L’Académie Militaire joue un rôle important dans la vie de la région. Elle est la résidence principale de l’Orchestre d’Harmonie de l’Académie Militaire del’Armée de l’Air des États-Unis une des formations professionnelles qui assurent la vie musicale des Forces Aériennes américaines.Cette suite est composée de trois mouvements : 1. The Springs Fanfare“The Springs” est le surnom donné à la ville par ses habitants. Le premier mouvement s’ouvre avec une éblouissante fanfare pour cuivres et percussion. Les cors débutent à l’unisson. Les autres cuivres se joignent à la structure tandis que les bois développent des motifs ornementés. Après un bref changement de style le matériel thématique initial est repris et mène le mouvement vers sa conclusion.2. Seven FallsSeven Falls est le nom d’une superbe cascade haute de cinquante-cinq mètres et dont l’eau cristalline descend le long de sept marches moulées dans le décor granitique de Pikes Peak. Dans ce mouvement les bois illustrent le cheminement de l’eau étincelante qui coule vers un célèbre poste d’observation situé au pied de la chute.3. Pikes PeakAu nord-ouest de Colorado Springs se dresse Pikes Peak qui culmine à 4300 mètres. Il est le sommet le plus à l’est des montagnes Rocheuses attisant la convoitise des explorateurs et des pionniers qui y découvrirent de l’or en 1859 provoquant une véritable ruée vers l’or. Le nom de la montagne devint un cri de ralliement : Pikes Peak or bust! (“Pikes Peak ou la mort !”). Pikes Peak est le

Duet for Flute and Alto Saxophone (or Clarinet) from The Pirates of Penzance-The Pirates of Penzance is perhaps Gilbert and Sullivan?s most popular operetta and tells the story of Frederic who was apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted orphaned pirates. A Sullivan Ballad uses a hauntingly simple love duet from the end of Act 2 ? Ah leave me not to pine alone and desolate ? which is arranged here as a duet for flute and alto saxophone (or clarinet). Both performers and audience alike will love this beautiful duet.

from Messiah-This piece needs no introduction as it remains one of the most popular classics of all time. Enthuse your performers and audiences alike with this fantastic arrangement of the Handel classic from his masterwork The Messiah.

In Classic Hymns Philip Sparke has taken 10 of the best-loved hymn tunes popular around the world and used them as the basis of a collection of short recital pieces ranging from simple descant arrangements to a full-blown theme and variations. Ideal for concert or contest use these charming pieces range in mood from triumphal to reflective and can provide that ‘musical moment’ and a time for meditation in church services and religious occasions of all kinds.

60 Progressive Duets for Saxophones-The early stages of learning any instrument are undoubtedly the most important. A good teacher is of course essential but it is also vital to have stimulating pieces to play which complement your choice of teaching method and are carefully tailored to introduce learning and playing skills in a structured manner. As in the book of Starter Studies the duets in Starter Duets introduce new musical elements in a logical order to facilitate the speedy growth of the „complete musician“ with the obvious benefit of allowing teacher and student (or two students) to play together and therefore experience the benefits of ensemble playing in the learning process.The early stages of learning any instrument are undoubtedly the most important. A good teacher is of course essential but it is also vital to have stimulating pieces to play which complement your choice of teaching method and are carefully tailored to introduce learning and playing skills in a structured manner. As in the book of Starter Studies the duets in Starter Duets introduce new musical elements in a logical order to facilitate the speedy growth of the „complete musician“ with the obvious benefit of allowing teacher and student (or two students) to play together and therefore experience the benefits of ensemble playing in the learning process.

Elgar’s five Pomp and Circumstance Marches were written between 1901 and 1930 with number 1 undoubtedly being the most popular of the five. King Edward VII told Elgar that the tune would ‘go round the world’ if words were fitted to it. Elgar took the hint and included it (with slight rhythmic changes) in his Coronation Ode of 1902 with words by A. C. Benson. Thus was born Land of Hope and Glory which is now of course an integral part of the annual Last Night of the Proms when the audience (with varying degrees of success!) sing the words along to the original march. Now your brass band can enjoy all the pomp and ceremony of proms with this arrangement byPhilip Sparke. Elgar's five Pomp and Circumstance Marches were written between 1901 and 1930 with number 1 undoubtedly being the most popular of the five. King Edward VII told Elgar that the tune would go round the world' if words were fitted to it. Elgar took the hint and included it (with slight rhythmic changes) in his Coronation Ode of 1902 with words by A. C. Benson. Thus was born Land of Hope and Glory which is now of course an integral part of the annual Last Night of the Proms when the audience (with varying degrees of success!) sing the words along to the original march. Now your brass band canenjoy all the pomp and ceremony of proms with this arrangement by Philip Sparke.

This collection provides a practical edition that can be used for marching as well as in the concert hall for 15 Sousa classics: The Beau Ideal • The Black Horse Troop • El Capitan • The Fairest of the Fair • Hands Across the Sea • The High School Cadets • The Invincible Eagle • King Cotton • The Liberty Bell • Manhattan Beach • Nobles of the Mystic Shrine • Semper Fidelis • The Stars and Stripes Forever • The Thunderer • and The Washington Post

Music from the Caribbean is instantly recognisable. It somehow conveys sunshine and lazy summers and is full of the ‘feel-good’ factor. It is this infectious happiness that composer Philip Sparke has tried to capture in Clarinet Calypso.

Band director and radio presenter Yutaka Nishida hails from Tokyo and has long been a friend of composer Philip Sparke. As well as conducting bands and teaching he also presents a weekly two-hour music program focusing on both brass and concertbands on the Japanese national radio station Digital Radio Musicbird.The program is called The Bandwagon and the radio station commissioned Philip Sparke to write a march which could be used as a theme tune for the program. The result is thisbright and breezy march in simple ABA form.

Elegy for Band-The initial idea was for a millennium piece which it is but rather than add to the many celebratory pieces that have understandably been written to salute the 3rd millennium Philip Sparke thought it would perhaps be appropriate to think about the aspects of life that are constantly with us (such as faith and philosophy) rather than the exciting changes that the year 2000 has undeniably wrought. This calm meditative work will bring a moment of serenity and reflection to any concert.