Results
-
£22.50Princethorpe Variations (Brass Band - Score only) - Downie, Kenneth
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, Princethorpe.This major work demonstrates the well-known characteristics of the composer: colourful harmony, rhythmic flair and melodic invention, all encapsulated in scoring which is engulfing both to players and listeners alike. Following a presentation of the theme there are five variations culminating in what can be described as either a finale or coda.Theme. The composer shows his originality in the harmonic sense of this introduction. Perhaps it could be suggested that over-indulgence of rubato may be a temptation to be avoided.Sections A to F. Relentless rhythmic drive is of paramount importance in this first variation. Conscientious observance of dynamics is of course an essential requirement in conveying the exciting quality of the music; there are moments of sudden contrast of which all will need to be aware. Moving between the time-signatures of 5/4 and 6/4 these sections are built from strong easily-identifiable fragments of the theme. These is a significant increase in temp at letter F which will further the exciting impact of the music.Sections G & H. In a pastorale style this short, gentle variation affords a contrast in style between the previous and succeeding ones. The gentle undulating character of the melodic lines is governed by the Allegretto grazioso directive.Sections I to M. Commencing two bars before letter I the music is now exuberant and the tempo and style is that of a march in compound time. In this exhilarating movement there are moments of contrast and indeed of delicacy which are a foil to the more energetic moments. Rhythmic control will be essential to maintain a consistent tempo. As elsewhere in the work, the percussion section will contribute much to the success of the performance there are bars where this section alone is heard and there are important entries for glockenspiel.Sections N & O. With emotional content this Adagio variation has the first two notes of the melody as its melodic impetus. Apart from just over two bars at O (where there is an interpolatory phrase from Cornets and Trombones), the melodic line is entrusted to the plaintive sounds of the horn section. Cornets and Trombones provide a change of tone colour at the beginning of section O. Under a poco rall, this very expressive variation is concluded; there is an important link supplied by Eb Bass.Sections P & Q. A lively march-tempo is launched immediately and these sections are in the nature of an introduction to the final variations. There is a quickening of pace at Q which assists the generation of excitement which should be an essential part of the performance. Solo Cornets introduce a melodic line at Q which anticipates the compound time of the following section.Sections R & S. The Solo Cornet theme of the previous section is now a contrapuntal line accompanying the theme tune. With an elongation of the notes in the melody, the conductor will need to call on the sustaining powers of the band and at no time should the interesting accompanying lines be allowed to detract from the sonorous presentation of the basic theme.Sections T, U & V. Following a poco rit, the finale begins at letter T with the directive, molto vivace. There is much detail to be rehearsed, not least being the dynamic contrasts which are encountered. As throughout the work, the listener should have no difficulty in identifying the thematic sources of the composer's music.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£45.00isti mirant stella
Descriptionisti mirant stellais based on an extract from the text of the Bayeux Tapestry, which was commissioned by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, to commemorate the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century. This text relates to the appearance of Halley's Comet in the spring of 1066. King Edward the Confessor died without an heir early on 5 January 1066 and despite his apparent promise of the throne to William, Duke of Normandy, the Anglo-Saxon Witenagemot appointed Harold Godwinson of Wessex as his successor. Just after Harold's hastily arranged coronation the comet appeared, reaching its perihelion on 20 March 1066. In the Middle Ages comets were regarded as evil omens; the tapestry depicts men gazing at the "star" in wonder and Harold himself apparently lost in nightmarish visions of invasion, with ghostly ships in the margins of the tapestry.The music attempts to reflect the mood of this brief but crucial period of English history - the unsettled matter of the royal succession linked in the superstitious medieval imagination to the haunting, spectral apparition of the comet. Medieval composition techniques are employed in places, including the use of a 'tenor', hocketing and a brief isoryhthmic motet. The music attempts to avoid tonal centres and particularly any form of diatonic 'resolution', instead exploring the issue of unresolved dissonance as a musical device in its own right.Performance Notes:All cornets, flugel and solo horn will require bottles filled with water to varying levels to 'tune' them to the correct pitch for the closing section of the piece. Pitches for the bottles are notated in the same transposition as the player's main instrument, so for example a notated D in the bottle part for flugel would sound as a C.All cornets except soprano require harmon mutes; where these are marked 'TR' these should have the tube removed. 'TI' denotes the tube should be left all the way in. Soprano and solo cornet III require metal straight mutes; flugel, all tenor horns, 2nd baritone and both euphoniums require fibre straight mutes. Soprano, all solo cornets and all trombones require cup mutes.The percussion section will require vibraphone (with a suitable bow, preferably a 'cello bow), glockenspiel, tubular bells (low and high E only), concert bass drum, tam-tam and snare drum - the bass drum and tam-tam will require brushes in addition to the normal beaters. In addition 1st horn and 1st baritone are required to play triangles, which should ideally be different pitches if possible.Approximate duration 7'48"NOTE: This set comes with a B4 score. To view a PDF preview click here.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£38.95Unity Series Band Journal - Numbers 506 - 509, June 2022
506: Lord of all hopefulness (Gary Rose)The hymn Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all Joy (S.A.S.B. 772) and its associate tune, Slane, creates a reflective work beautifully penned by Gary Rose507: Carol Arrangement - Glory in the highest (Sam Creamer)This Christmas favourite is given the classic Count Basie big band swing style - a perfect addition to your December concerts.508: Meditation - In Holiness (Dean Jones)Written for Merthyr Tydfil Corps band, this expressive work pieces together the tunes Hereford (T.B. 16) and Beethoven (T.B. 5).509: March - Ellan Vannie (Paul Sharman)The opening statement of this march reference the tune Ellan Vannin (T.B. 366) which gives rise to the title. 'Ellan Vannin' is Manx Gaelic for 'Isle of Man' and this music was written for a musician's weekend at Douglas Corps
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£38.95Unity Series Band Journal - Numbers 486 - 489, February 2020
486: March - Love Divine (Ian Clarke)This lively march features Charles Wesley's song, Love divine, all loves excelling (S.A.S.B. 262) set to the tune Stainer (T.B. 349) and Charles Gabriel's I stand amazed in the presence (S.A.S.B. 466).487: Song Arrangement - The potter's hand (Daniel Elson)A simple but effective arrangement of Dalene Zschech's popular worship song The potter's hand (S.A.S.B. 355).488: Ma-(cha-cha)-jesty (Gary Rose)The cha-cha-ch is a dance that originates from Cuba. It is danced to the music of the same name, introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrin in the early 1950s. This work combines the cha-cha syle with the well-known song Majesty (S.A.S.B. 382).489: The old rugged cross (Andreas Holmlund)A flowing two-verse arrangement of George Bennard's much-loved song.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£38.95Unity Series Band Journal - Numbers 478 - 481, June 2019
478: March - Seize the day (Andrew Mair)This march features the tunes God's love is wonderful (T.B. 130) and Everybody should know, and makes reference to Rescue the perishing (T.B. 808) and the chorus Able to save (T.B. 538)479: Jingle bells jazz! (Richard Phillips)The familiar strains of Jingle Bells (C.C. 121) have featured in Salvation Army music countless times over the years (perhaps more than any other non-religious song), whether as the main theme, countermelody, or as a derived frament or motif. This is an attractive laid-back jazz setting of the tune.480: Poor, wayfarin' stranger (Thomas Mack)This arrangement of the Spiritual depicts a poor wayfarin' stranger's journey through life using a minor key and a slow walking style.481: Selection - No crib for a bed (Charles Craig)This simple setting reminds us that, amidst the joy and exuberance that often accompanies the Christmas season, Jesus' birth was a very humble event.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£34.95Unity Series Band Journal February 2018 Numbers 462 - 465
We hope you enjoyed listening to the sound files for the 2017 Unity series.If you are interested in purchasing the music, each set contains 4 of the works.Festival March - To Victory (Andrew Blyth); A quiet moment (William Himes); Rivers of Mercy (Kenneth Downie); March - Tell! (Stephen Gibson).The sets contain a score and full set of parts.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£39.00El Capitan (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
El Capitan was originally an operetta which was first produced in Boston in 1896. It was initially very popular and there are occasional revivals even to this day. The march of the same title uses themes from the opera and was also published in 1896. One notable feature - resulting from the use of themes from the operetta - is the abrupt transition from 6/8 to 2/4 half way through the march.This arrangement was prepared for the 2013 Summer concerts of Brass Band of the Western Reserve, musical director Dr Keith M Wilkinson.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£29.95Judd: Spirit of Joy
This march was awarded first prize in the 1930 American Golden Jubilee National Music Competition and was published the same year in the first edition of the American Festival Series. It was subsequently re-printed in the General Series of 1984. Soderstroms imaginative use of syncopation and chromatic harmony brought a new, American sound to the Salvation Army march. For example, he took the old Salvation Army fight song Hark, hark my soul written and changes its metre from 6/8 to 4/4 while also syncopating it!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£35.62Jingle Bells Forever (Brass Band) Pierpont/Sousa/Smith arr. Lythaby
Jingle Bells Forever is a setting of two American favourites that weaves the melodic line from Pierpont's Jingle Bells with Sousa's umistakable march style. Drawn from The Stars and Stripes Forever, Sousa's immortal march that has become the official national march of the United States of America, the familiar strains provide the perfect accompaniment for the most festive of Christmas melodies. Sousa's famous grandioso with the piccolo descant (here scored for soprano cornet) and trombone countermelody draw this festive standard to a rousing conclusion. PDF download includes score and parts. Sheet music available from: UK - www.brassband.co.uk USA - www.solidbrassmusic.com Difficulty Level: 4th Section + Instrumentation: Soprano Cornet Eb Solo Cornet Bb Repiano Cornet 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 Drum Set Cymbals Sleigh Bells Glockenspiel
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
-
£29.95
ARMY OF GOD (Brass Band Set) - Emil Soderstrom
This march was awarded first prize in the 1930 American Golden Jubilee National Music Competition and was published the same year in the first edition of the American Festival Series. It was subsequently re-printed in the General Series of 1984. Soderstrom's imaginative use of syncopation and chromatic harmony brought a new, American sound to the Salvation Army march. For example, he took the old Salvation Army fight song Hark, hark my soul written and changes its metre from 6/8 to 4/4 while also syncopating it!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
View Music
Watch video