Results
-
Off Duty - John Dankworth - Len Jenkins
The late John Dankworth (1927-2010) made a string of recordings in the 1960s that have since come to be regarded as some of the finest British jazz of their time. Amongst these is his composition 'Off Duty' which was recorded in the 1960s when the influence of pop and rock on jazz was at its height and instruments such as the bass guitar were beginning to be incorporated into jazz's vocabulary. At this time and almost subconsciously, a Dankworth 'pop' style also evolved. This was a balanced marriage between jazz and pop which is here demonstrated in 'Off Duty' thanks to the ingenious and original orchestration by John Dankworth, and the faithful arrangement for Brass Band by one of his fans, Len Jenkins. The title is interesting as John loved to play with words. 'Off Duty' could mean relaxing away from work, but could also carry the implication of something not attracting taxation.... a sort of 'duty-free'. About the same time, the Dave Brubeck Quartet produced the seminal 'Take Five'... so could this be John's take on that title, suggesting a short break? Which meaning fits best for you? The piece would best suit the capabilities of a brass band playing at the standard of Third Section or above.
-
£124.95Hyperlink - Peter Graham
Hyperlink was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education) for its 70th Anniversary Year. Since the anniversary coincided with other significant celebrations in 2022 (including the Royal Albert Hall/Ralph Vaughan Williams 150th and the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II) it was requested that these also be recognised in some way.
Where better to begin this challenging brief but with a computer search for the NYBBGB founder Dr Denis Wright (coincidently born in Kensington, home of the RAH). The subsequent rabbit warren of hyperlinks led me to structure the work through a series of "associations":
Movement I - The Voice of Jupiter.
Alongside the discovery that Denis Wright had been a church organist was the realisation that while the RAH has hosted thousands of musical events the fabric of the building actually incorporates a musical instrument, the famous Henry Wills organ (aka The Voice of Jupiter).Organ and J S Bach are synonymous (e.g. Toccata in D min) and so both become fundamental to the content of the movement. An opening 7 note quote from the Toccata leads to a mammoth sound cluster, as if every note on the huge RAH organ is sustained. The material which follows is based upon the notes BACH (in German notation). The notes are manipulated in various ways in a 12 tone matrix; reversed, inverted and so on. Other techniques employed in the movement are ones of which Bach was master, including ground bass and fugue.
Movement II - Remember Me.
The lives of Salvationist composer Ray Steadman-Allen (born 1922) and Ralph Vaughan Williams are remembered here, with "RSA" in musical notation and fragments of RVWs famous Tuba Concerto providing the source material.While writing the movement my father passed away and to close his funeral service the family chose the uplifting Robert Lowry hymn They'll sing a welcome home. It seemed fitting to conclude the movement with a reflective setting of the chorus, the repeated phrase "Welcome, welcome home" eventually disappearing into the ether.
Movement III - Vivat.
The finale takes the form of a short fantasy upon Hubert Parry's marvellous coronation anthem I Was Glad, truly a celebratory note with which to conclude.The first performance of Hyperlink was given by the NYBBGB conducted by Martyn Brabbins at the Royal College of Music, London on August 6th 2022.
Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
-
£55.00
New York - Nigel Hess
For anyone who is familiar with this bizarre and wonderful city, this piece needs no explanation. New York is the third movement of East Coast Pictures, originally written for wind band, commissioned in 1985 by the British Youth Wind Orchestra with funds from National Westminster Bank plc. These three short 'pictures' were inspired by several visits by the composer to a small part of the USA's East Coast, an area that provides great extremes in the geography and the people.The bass clef Euphonium parts can be purchased as individual downloads here.Brass Band Grades 4/5: Premier Youth and 2nd SectionDuration: 6 minutes
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
-
£55.00
Shelter Island - Nigel Hess
Shelter Island is the first movement of East Coast Pictures. It is a depiction of the Shelter Island itself, a few hours' drive east of New York. In the summer it becomes a crowded tourist trap; but in the winter it is gloriously deserted and bravely faces the onslaught of the turbulent Atlantic, shrouded in sea mists and driving rain. This 'picture' is a fond memory of a winter weekend on Shelter Island.Brass Band Grades 4/5: Premier Youth and 2nd SectionThe bass clef Euphonium parts can be purchased as individual downloads here.Duration: 5 minutes
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
-
£32.00The Cistercians
DescriptionThe Cistercianswas written during December 2003 and January 2004 as an entry for Morecambe Band's Centenary New Music Competition, which it went on to win. The first two performances were at the final of this competition, part of the band's 100th Anniversary Concert at The Dome in Morecambe on 9 July 2004.The music was inspired by visits to three of Britain's great Cistercian Abbeys; Valle Crucis, Fountains and Rievaulx. The Cistercian Order was founded at Citeaux in France in the 11th Century and was based on the principles of austerity, humility and piety. Cistercian Abbeys were deliberately sited in remote, difficult areas. Despite this many of them, especially Rievaulx, became immense centres of commerce and power, with ever more complex administration and hierarchies.In a way the music reflects this; all the material in the piece is derived from two simple motifs played by flugel and solo horn in the opening bars and becomes more complex and further removed from the original material as the piece develops. After a tranquil opening section a fugal chorale develops over a medieval-style "tenor" - a stretched out version of one of the original motifs. A burst of semiquavers leads into a faster, folk-dance type section - our medieval abbey has become a bustling trade centre - before rhythmic quaver pulses in the horns and cornets accompany powerful chords in the low brass; this is another "tenor" derived from the opening motifs. A short development section, including the folk dance "hocketing" round the band and a slightly disjointed 10/8 section leads to a restatement of the fugal chorale from the beginning before a frenetic coda brings the work to a triumphant conclusion.Performance Notes:Percussion instruments required are Bass Drum, Suspended Crash Cymbal, Glockenspiel, 2 x Tom-toms, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Tam-Tam, 2 x Timpani (G-C, C-F), Triangle, Wood Block. All cornets will require metal stratight mutes and all except soprano require cup mutes. All trombones require cup and metal straight mutes.You can follow a preview of the score in the video below.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£65.00
Blackbird Special - Davis, Lewis, Towns, Harris, Marshall, Joseph, Johnson & Jones - Reid Gilje
"Blackbird Special" is a song by American band Dirty Dozen Brass Band.The song is an entertainment piece, a good concert opener or encore.When used as a concert opener one may let the different sections of the band enter the stage one by one playing in order of appearance.Percussion section may play their parts ad lib. The most important is the groove of the piece.Please pay attention to strict articulation from bar 17. Be aware of the marcatos at 33. The last note of the slurs at 41 must be not be too short.It's important to hold the note values, especially in bars 49, 51, 53 and 55.From 57 and throughout the piece, the percussion may invite the audience to join for handclaps.As an extra effect, the Bass Tubas may stand at 57, the Horns at 59, backrow Cornets and Trombones at 61 and Euphonium/Baritone/Solo Cornets at 63.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£34.95Skylines - Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Skylines is composed in a funk style with a rigid bass line allowing various soloists to shine. It is composed in a style that many brass band traditionalists won't find stereotypical. That doesn't mean it won't challenge the youth bands...
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
-
£15.00Celtic Lullaby - Helen Douthwaite
An original composition by Helen Douthwaite for solo baritone, euphonium or trombone with brass band (reduced score) accompaniment.The piece was written with training/junior band level players in mind, and offers a great opportunity to spotlight a soloist through this moment of musical beauty.Set includes score and parts for:Soloist - Euphonium/Baritone/TromboneCornet 1Cornet 2Eb Tenor Horn 1Eb Tenor Horn 2Trombone 1Trombone 2Baritone/EuphoniumEb Bass (optional)GlockenspielPercussion
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
-
£15.00Flourish - Helen Douthwaite
A lovely original composition by Helen Douthwaite with junior/youth bands in mind, but just as appropriate for brass ensembles looking for a short and sweet item to play.A rich opening melody develops to bring vitality and a nice upbeat feel to the piece.Lots for each instrument section to do and a chance for the emerging players to hear some great harmonies around the band.The set includes score and parts for:Cornet 1Cornet 2Cornet 3Eb Tenor HornEb Tenor Horn EASYEuphonium/BaritoneEuphonium/Baritone EASYTromboneTrombone EASYEb BassDrum setPercussion
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
-
£30.00On Ilkley Moor Pastiche
I was commissioned to write a piece for the RNCM Trombone Quartet by the bass trombonist Trevor Slade, a true Yorkshireman. I have created a full brass band version. There is an element of comedy, (though not irreverent). The introduction is a direct reference to a well known film theme about bouncing bombs! We then hear the famous Yorkshire melody with overtones of the old BBC Grandstand theme, (for those old enough to remember). A 'patriotic' section is a mixture of "Ilkley Moor", and those bouncing bombs again! We are then taken to a 'Dixieland' treatment, with 'overtones' of a 'Hootenannyish' piece, which every bandsman/woman is familiar with! What follows is a rather pretty 'Edmundo Ross(ish)' beguine. After a brief Beethovian bit, we are taken back once again to the original pastiche, with a BIG ending. A good piece for the lighter element of the concert programme.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
View Music
