Judd: O, The Blessed Lord

Originally written as a brass sextet, based on the American Spiritual 'Oh dem golden slippers', and eventually published for full band in 1973. It is hard to believe that this highly original and technically difficult composition could have first been conceived as long ago as 1938.

Judd: Of Whom I Sing

The original, Jeg elsker Dig, is a plaintive love song for voice and piano with words by Hans Christian Anderson; 'You have become thought of my thought, you are my heart's first love. I love you, as no one here on earth, I shall love you through time and eternity!'

Judd: On Ratcliff Highway

Written for the centenary of Salvation Army bands in 1978, On Ratcliff Highway was premiered by The International Staff Band (and simultaneously by Melbourne Staff Band in another venue). It was inspired by a sketch on the front page of a copy of The War Cry from 1886 which depicted the Whitechapel Salvation Army band marching through the notorious highway, surrounded by crowds, with the masts of ships seen beyond the East London slums

Judd: Paean

Commissioned by the Swiss Christian Brass Band Association in celebration of their 150th anniversary, the title 'Paean' means a shout of thanksgiving and praise. It is also the composer's personal expression of gratitude to God following major surgery. Although 'Paean' includes three fairly contemporary Christian songs, it is not intended to be played in any kind of rock or jazz style. The idiom is quite firmly rooted in brass band tradition. The opening fanfare-like section begins in celebratory mood before becoming more contemplative through the song 'Father God, I wonder'. A change of tempo heralds the statement of the thematically significant song 'Hosanna' before immediately moving to 'Faithful God'. Following a fugato the music retraces its steps to a triumphant restatement of the opening music.

Judd: Peace

Judd: Praise

Composed when he was just 16, Praise has become Wilfred Heaton's most performed work. Published in 1949, this march is a firm favourite with bands of all kinds and abilities

Judd: Praise to the Lord

Written for the 2003 tour of Canada and USA by Bristol Easton Band of The Salvation Army, this set of variations provides the whole band with a stern examination of technical and musical aptitude, whilst engaging the listener from beginning to end. The commission given to the composer was to create a set of variations with a similar framework to that of Edward Gregson's 'Variations on Laudate Dominum'. As in the famous Gregson work, the theme (Lobe den Herren) is not heard in its entirety until the final section when the majestic tune provides a fitting and stirring conclusion to the music.

Judd: Praise Tribute

Wilfred Heaton's march 'Praise' has long been a favourite of Kenneth Downie. In 'Praise Tribute' he deliberately adopts a Heaton style and follows the key scheme of the original while developing the music from the old Manx revival hymn 'The Good Old Way'. Written for The International Staff Band who recorded it on CD 24730 St Magnus.

Judd: Prayer of Childhood

Leslie Condon originally wrote this alternative tune for the Charles Wesley hymn, 'Gentle Jesus, meek and mild' in 1963. He later scored it for cornet solo and it appears here with brass band accompaniment.

Judd: Princethorpe Variations

Colourful harmony, rhythmic flair and melodic invention are the hallmarks of this excellent set of variations by Kenneth Downie, based on the well known church tune of 'Princethorpe'.