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£15.00Perseverance
DescriptionPerseverance was commissioned by Middleton Band to mark their 140th anniversary in 2016, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, and featured on Middleton Band's CD of the same name.The title is taken from the original name of the 1876 band, the Middleton Perseverance Drum and Fife Band. According to the band's historical records, the Drum and Fife band was formed by six Middleton youngsters eager to learn music but short of funds. Following a whip round, they visited a music shop in Oldham where they purchased a 'one key flute' for six shillings and sixpence, and ('later on') a drum.This determination to make music despite the odds has been a characteristic of the band ever since; at the end of the second world war the band was again down to six players, who rebuilt the 'Middleton Borough Band' back to twenty-six players. After a period of some considerable success throughout the sixties and seventies culminating in winning the National Third Section title in 1983 the band hit hard times again in the late eighties and was down to only four members in 1987 before again being brought back to life. In recent decades the band has built a strong relationship with the East Lancashire Railway, another organisation which has battled sometimes mighty obstacles in its struggle to survive, and has maintained a thriving and successful youth band.The band's will to survive through adversity is reflected in the music, which builds from a sextet of four brass and two percussion players three times, only to fall back to the sextet twice. In the central slow movement the bass drum plays a 'heartbeat' rhythm as the remaining players remember those lost in the war. The relentless pace of the final section culminates in the band triumphing over the adversity which has curtailed the previous two sections. As a former member of Middleton Band (and one of the team that regained the National Third Section title in 2007) it is my pleasure to dedicate this work to the 'Pop and Ale Boys', Middleton Band.You can read more about the piece here.To view the accompanying video by Andy Marshall, designed to precede the piece, clickhereand find out more about the link between the video and the music here.Recording with Score VideoPerformance NotesIn performance the four brass members of the sextet (soprano, solo horn, solo trombone and solo euphonium) should stand at the sides of the band - soprano and horn behind the cornets, trombone and euphonium behind the trombones. Percussion may stand with them at the conductor's discretion, but only if the band has TWO snare drums and TWO concert bass drums available, as these are also needed at the back of the band in the tutti sections. In the second sextet snare drum should be muffled with a heavy cloth OR have the snares turned off (not both).Percussion and mutesPercussion required:snare drum (muffled with a heavy cloth at one point)concert bass drum, kit bass drum, hi-hat, suspended (crash) cymbal2 x tom-tomswood blockclash cymbals3 x timpanitam-tamglockenspielSoprano cornet, repiano and 2nd cornets, flugel and all trombones require metal straight mutes. Soprano, Solo Cornet 3/4, Repiano 2nd and 3rd cornets require cup mutes. Solo Cornet 1/2, Repiano, 2nd and 3rd cornets require harmon mutes.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£70.00
Episodes and Echoes - Peter Meechan
Episodes and Echoes is a concerto in three movements for tuba. The title of the work relates directly to the way the composer approached writing the piece.aAlthough the work is scored with piano and wind band accompaniments, Episodes and Echoes was originally written for tuba and brass band. I had several problems to overcome - the brass band contains 4 tubas, and 2 euphoniums, all of which could obscure the solo line, so I decided to write for the soloist in a manner that meant they were either playing alone, in episodes, or repeating/echoing phrases.aIn addition to this, the composer combined the characteristics of the tuba with other instruments: in the second movement the tuba is similar to a singer performing an aria and a recitative, and third movement a bass guitar.Episodes and Echoes was commissioned by, and dedicated to, Les Neish who premiered the work in 2005, accompanied by the Beaumaris Brass Band, conducted by Gwyn Evans.
Estimated dispatch 12-14 working days
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£30.00I Saw Three Ships - Traditional
This is a traditional English carol rumoured to have originated in Derbyshire. The earliest printed version is from the 17th century and the familiar version was later published in William Sandys' collection of 'Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern' in 1833. There are numerous theories as to the meaning of the carol's words; after all, Bethlehem, the place of Jesus' birth is not a coastal location. It has been suggested that the ships are actually camels (ships of the desert) used by the Magi for their visit to the baby Jesus. My arrangement takes advantage of the traditional 'jig' style of this carol to add a little 'Celtic' flavour.
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£59.99Bofors To The Fore Joseph Knight
This piece was a commission to commemorate the memory of Gunner A. E. Collins who during the second world war was engaged in an action where during an advance through Belgium heavy resistance was met and he and an officer had to cover a retreat using Bofors guns. In the final report the title of this piece was actually used by the commanding officer.The piece its self is in three movements and follows the flow of the battle. The first movement called "Advance" is cautious and has the hint of battle. It starts quietly and then builds up slowly and finishes unresolved. Movement two "Engagement" starts suddenly in 7/8 and uses cyclical rhythms and clustered chords to show the horror and chaos of battle and also the firing the Bofors guns. The third movement "Safe Return" brings all of the themes from the first two movements and finishes with "The End Of The Day". The commission stated that bugle calls and "The End Of The Day" should be included.The piece is suitable for a concert work or indeed the contest stage.J Knight 2022.
Estimated dispatch 5-9 working days
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£84.99Snow Island - Thierry Deleruyelle
The Swiss canton of Valais is home to a number of wind and brass bands that regularly stand on the podium in Swiss and European competitions. For the general public, the Valais is above all a unique place, between the Rhone Glacier and Lake Geneva, where life is pleasant. The brass players of the five music associations of the villages of Crans-Montana - an internationally renowned "snow island" - were awarded the organisation of the 224 cantonal festival, for which this work was commissioned.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£61.00Lord of the Flies - Gauthier Dupertuis
The title of this work by Gauthier Dupertuis refers to the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, published in 1954. Lord of the Flies is intended to be a small symphonic poem describing different episodes of the book: the despair of the children stranded on the island, the use of the unifying conch and symbol of democracy, the adventures, and the formation of the camp and finally the savagery of the clan of Jack which undeniably leads to chaos. The finale is mysterious and half-tone, imbued with both the relief of having been rescued, and a deep sadness linked to the tragic events that have occurred on the island.All the main themes and elements developed in the work come from the idea "d-e-f", exposed from the first bars. The orchestration is intended to be variable in geometry and avoids the main technical difficulties related to the instruments. However, the composer wanted to find as many colors as possible and avoided confining himself to too "simple" harmonies.Lord of the Flies: a piece accessible to most brass bands.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£174.99The Turing Test - Simon Dobson
Alan Turing is considered the father of modern computational science and much, if not all, of our modern computer technology and the connectivity that we now take for granted is born of the work of this one great, but troubled man. His famous test was designed to prove whether artificial intelligence (AI) could successfully imitate human thought. The single movement of The Turing Test is essentially non-programmatic, but it does seek to show something of the emotion and colour of Turing's life in its different sections. The composer employs bi-tonality and complex rhythms to show opposing worlds colliding. At the end of each test, we must decide: has true AI beenborn?
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£104.99Viking Age - Thierry Deleruyelle
The Viking age lasted from the late eighth, to the middle of the eleventh century. During this period, Scandinavian warriors and merchants explored, plundered and left their mark on numerous territories. This work is based on a series of four notes that appear in different forms, consisting of 4 movements: Northern Men, Explorer, Raids and Heritage. It is an impressive and spectacular piece, with lots of interesting and playful parts for all sections. This is a perfect contest piece or an outstanding work for thematic concerts.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£68.99Meditation - Jan de Haan
Meditation is based on Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (1887) by the English composer and organist Frederick Charles Maker (1844-1927). This is a calm, introverted work that however has an intense effect. In the first section, the solo euphonium is given an important role, leading to one of the loveliest of all English hymn melodies.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£53.50Strong Coffee - Ron Gilmore
It is true that tastes differ. Coffee has known a long history : it has been drunk since the 17th century. On one hand people drink coffee for relaxation, on the other hand it is drunk to ward off tiredness or sleepiness. 'Strong Coffee' composed by Ron Gilmore works both ways. There will be people who will be able to relax during 'Strong Coffee', whereas others will experience it as a real boost. Is it a bit too strong after all, such a funky Soul Beat? Then adding a little milk might help. As said before, tastes differ!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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