Results
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£32.95Variations for Brass Band (Score Only)
The great British brass band tradition has been fostered since 1860 by an annual competition for bands. Held in the Crystal Palace until that edifice burned in the 1930s, it is a major event at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Each year there is a new test piece, required of all bands and in 1957, Ralph Vaughan Williams (by then a revered, grandfatherly figure in British music) was finally persuaded to write a composition for that purpose.The 12-minute composition comprises a theme and 11 variations. The brief variations are in a variety of moods and styles, including a waltz, a polonaise, a chorale, a canon, an arabesque, and a fugue. It tests ensemble coordination, command of and flexibility concerning styles, and richness of sound.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£32.95Henry V (Score Only)
Set as the 4th Section Test Piece for the 2011 National Finals
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£44.50Dance Macabre - Saint-Saens - Gavin Somerset
A full arrangement of the spectacular work by Saint-Saens. Certainly a test for any top section band, both technically and rhythmically. Every section has an important role to play (yes, even Bass Trombone!). The main theme was used in the BBC's drama "Jonathan Creek", letting the audience recognize the piece immediately. Great as an alternative to an overture concert piece, this is one for every player of the band to get their teeth stuck into. To download the Solo Cornet part, please CLICK HERE . To download the Solo Horn part, please CLICK HERE . To download the Solo Euphonium part, please CLICK HERE . To download the playback audio to play along to, please RIGHT CLICK HERE & Save As .
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£24.50
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 (allegro) - J.S Bach - John Abbott
The "Brandenburg Concertos" were composed and dedicated to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg in 1721, however it seems now they were never actually played for him. This 1st movement has been kilfully arranged as a trio for Soprano Cornet and 2 Bb Cornets (solo cornet, and repiano). This is sure to test the strongest of players, utilising the soprano's high register and making work of the low register on the Bb cornets. As well as keeping the band entertained with running semi-quavers (and some wonderful intervals for the basses!!!) This certainly is a hard piece to perform for the three soloists, but its well worth the challenge.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£24.50
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 (allegro assai) - J.S Bach - John Abbott
The "Brandenburg Concertos" were composed and dedicated to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg in 1721, however it seems now they were never actually played for him. This 3rd movement has been kilfully arranged as a trio for Soprano Cornet and 2 Bb Cornets (solo cornet, and repiano). This is sure to test the strongest of players, starting with the famous trumpet opening. The Baritones, Euphoniums and Basses also play a very important role in this arrangement. This certainly is a hard piece to perform for the three soloists, but its well worth the challenge.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£79.95Orion (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
Orion was named after the giant huntsman in Greek mythology and is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous and recognisable constellations in the night sky. This piece and its inspiration were composed as a tone poem creating a musical picture of this amazing phenomenon.The opening introduces the constellation. Starting mysteriously with the percussion and basses this section develops a series of rhythmic and harmonic interludes from the upper brass. As this introduction develops, the melodic line lead by the Solo Cornet and Euphonium builds as the accompanying instruments increase in their rhythmic complexity. This section climaxes with a short fanfare motif which will be a prominent theme throughout this piece.The fast rhythmic section that follows serves as a technical test for the players. The thematic device introduced by the Solo Cornets is passed around various soloists and sections within the ensemble. This part of the tone poem gives the opportunity for the ensemble to highlight their technical prowess. The fanfare motif returns to conclude this section and takes the piece into the slow middle movement.Motifs heard earlier are mixed with new ideas in this slow section which give an opportunity for a variety of soloists to demonstrate their musical prowess. After the various solo passages and cadenzas, the mood shifts dramatically to a more ominous section that builds in texture and dynamic. Concluding with our returning fanfare motif the piece then builds in momentum towards our finale section.This finale is a technical showcase which will further test the playing ability and stamina of soloists, small groups and the full ensemble. Using prominent musical themes heard throughout this piece the music builds to a glorious conclusion fitting with wonderful constellation.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£44.95Wall of Sound
This piece was commissioned by Dr Nicholas Childs and Philip Biggs for the National Children's Band of Great Britain.As the commission was for a youth band, I wanted to compose a piece of music that alluded to the styles and genres of music that are abundant in the current popular music market. However, the National Children's Band isn't just any old youth band; they are some of the finest young musicians in Great Britain. So the challenge was to compose a piece that included many popular music styles whilst providing enough of a test to keep the music technically interesting to work on and perform.The driving force behind the whole piece is the percussion section and in particular, the drum kit which is constant throughout. From the start the music is rhythmic and repetitive, similar to many dance tracks. The music begins to slowly unfold and build in texture and at bar 24 the syncopated main theme appears. This theme reappears throughout the piece along with various other motifs and solo lines. The music uses the styles, rock, pop, latin, funk and dance within the score and has a real fun factor about it.There are lots of opportunities for soloists to play and it is marked in the score where to stand and soloists can come out to the front of the stage. I really enjoyed working on this piece and I'm sure performers and audience members will enjoy it too.Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£67.85Temperamental (Brass Band) Fendall Hill
This work by Fendall Hill was the set test for the 2021 National Brass Band Championships of New Zealand, B Grade. The composer writes: 'J.S. Bach (1685-1750) is deemed by many to be the 'Ulimate Composer'. He added an incredible proportion to the DNA of western music, and his influence is heard in the music of today. Like many artists, he was not overly recognised as a composer during his lifetime, and it took an 1829 performance of the St Matthew Passion by Mendelssohn to ignite a recognition of his place in the music world, a place he has maintained ever since. This piece starts with a similar spark of rediscovery of the music of Bach. It contains arrangements of various works, interspersed with composition based on Bach's chord structures, sections in the style of Bach, and original sections inspired by the moods created along the way. The first section explores the Toccata, and great organ works. This leads into an exploration of his choral works, and a finale based on the Preludes. The word 'Tempered' has different meanings, and all seem to apply to the music of Bach, and these appeal to the musical, engineering and spiritual aspects of my personal life. His music reaches to the humanity and divinity, it has strength, structure and order that creates frameworks in which incredible complexity reigns; and the complexity leads to a wildness, a kind of craziness that represents a range of human moods, and can change without warning. The same piece of music affects people in very different ways. I don't know if it's Bach's music, or us, but it can seem out of control and under control at the same time - the combination is highly temperamental. To view a follow-the-score video of the work please visit: https://youtu.be/zpNxITUqXZU Sheet music available from: UK - www.brassband.co.uk USA - www.solidbrassmusic.com Difficulty Level: 1st Section + Instrumentation: Soprano Cornet Eb Solo Cornet 1&2 Bb Solo Cornet 3&4 Bb 2nd Cornet Bb 3rd Cornet Bb Flugel Horn Bb Solo Horn Eb 1st Horn Eb 2nd Horn Eb 1st Baritone Bb 2nd Baritone Bb 1st Trombone Bb 2nd Trombone Bb Bass Trombone Euphonium Bb Bass Eb Bass Bb Timpani Percussion 1-4
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£104.99Cantabile - Philip Harper
"As long as we live there is never enough singing." - Martin Luther Philip Harper composed this piece in response to his personal concern about the direction of new music for brass band. His goal with this 5 movementCantabile, was to compose a piece which fully complied with all that is asked of a top-level test in the 21st Century, but also to reconnect with more traditional values such as lyricism in melody and richness of blendedbrass sound. Each of the 5 parts seek to capture this idea.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£59.95Blitz - Derek Bourgeois
The dictionary definition of Blitz is any sudden, overwhelming attack, particularly from the air. It is shortened form of the German word Blitzkrieg, literally meaning a lightning war. The piece is a test of skill, nerve and stamina, culminating in an aural 'Blitz' of great ferocity. The tempo markings in this piece are intended merely as a guide to performers. The composer is particularly anxious that they should not be considered inviolate. Commissioned with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain for the finals of National Brass Band Championships held in the Royal Albert Hall, London, on the 3rd October, 1981.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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