Results
-
£80.00St. Magnus - Kenneth Downie
Dedicated to Alastair Massey, an inspirational music teacher. Commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association for the 2004 European Brass Band Championships in Glasgow. This music is a set of variations on the tune known as St Magnus, which is attributed to Jeremiah Clarke. Most people will associate it with Thomas Kelly's hymn which begins: "The Head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now". The tune is very simple, consisting of just two, four-bar phrases. Neither is there much in the way of rhythmic variety, every note being a crotchet with the exception of two quavers, and the last note in each phrase. Within such a simple structure, however, lies considerable strength. THEME The listener is given the opportunity of hearing it twice, in full, at the beginning, starting with one player but soon taken up by the full ensemble. It returns in the middle of the music and is stated again near the end. This has been done quite deliberately in the hope that there will be an appreciation of what material is being developed, by the listener as well as by those with access to the score, who are able to see the visual connections. VARIATION 1 This takes the rhythm of the last part of the theme and also uses the shape of the opening as a recurring figure. The mood is whimsical and skittish, with short, teasing rhythmic figures tossed around the band, and quick interplay with percussion, at a fast tempo. An energetic flourish finishes this variation before the Andante espress. VARIATION 2 This commences with chords related to the opening of Variation 1. The cantabile on solo comets establishes a new, lyrical mood and there is scope for expressive playing in a series of short solo passages. The theme works its way unobtrusively into the texture before a reprise of the solo cornet melody and some more lyrical interchanges between Eb bass, euphonium, flugel horn and comets. The variation ends serenely with clear references to the last phrase of the theme. VARIATION 3 The first idea to dominate is clearly linked to the shape of the theme's first phrase. There is a frenetic feel to much of this variation, with considerable energy and instability created by extensive use of cross-rhythms. A thinning-out of the score marks a clear change to development of the start of the second phrase of the theme. This proves to be short-lived however, and the opening material returns leading to a restatement of the theme, "Maestoso," after which a euphonium cadenza links to Variation 4. VARIATION 4 Here we have some solos for euphonium, cornet, trombone and Eb bass set against a background of horns and baritones presenting a pensive statement of the theme's opening. VARIATION 5 This commences Allegro, with lively work for cornet and euphonium spreading to the whole band before attention focuses on the beginning of the second phrase of the theme which is initially presented in diminution, then in regular rhythm, then in inversion. An increase in tempo coupled with a decrease in volume, requires dexterity and control, with several metrical challenges thrown in for good measure. The same fragment of phrase becomes an ostinato which generates a frenzied climax, punctuated by short, dramatic silence, before the opening figure returns and the music gradually winds down. The tubular bells herald the final return of the theme, in augmentation, marking the start of the Finale. FINALE This features the running semiquavers of the previous variation sounding in counterpoint. A fast, furious coda speeds the work to a conclusion while references to the opening of the theme are still trying to break into the texture of the music. Kenneth Downie
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£30.00The Heat's On - Nestico
The arrangement of this upbeat, big band classic was premiered, with great audience response, by the Virtuosi GUS Band at the Butlins Brass Band Championships 27.Lending itself to being a great 2nd half opener, enabling a big band style ion of the players, this arrangement also showcases the Solo Trombone, Principal Cornet, Solo Euphonium and Solo Horn.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
-
£34.95When Thunder Calls
When Thunder Calls was commissioned by Dr Nicholas Childs and the Black Dyke Band for their performance at the Gala Concert of the Swiss Open Championships in September 2011. When composing this piece, I decided to focus on both the music and the stage presentation. The way the piece has been composed and designed makes it a very effective way of starting a concert or a second half of a concert.At the start of the piece, the percussion enter the stage and take their positions in their usual place behind the band. They begin playing the piece without a conductor. They keep repeating the opening section while the Basses, Horns, Baritones and Euphoniums march onto the stage.This group of musicians take their seats with the Horns, Baritones and Euphoniums sitting where they usually sit in the band but the Basses sit where the solo cornets usually sit, forming an inner semi-circle of lower brass. When seated and when the music gets to the end of bar 4 the piece continues onto section A. All performers keep repeating this next 4-bar phrase until the trombones march onto stage and stand at the front of the stage with the Bass Trombone standing in between the other two trombones.All performers then play from figure B to C with the trombones taking the lead at the front. When the performers get to rehearsal figure C they repeat this section (the same as section A) while the trombones move from the front of the stage and take their positions where the Basses would normally sit (between the horns and the percussion) and remain standing. Meanwhile, the flugel enters the stage and stands at the front of the stage (standing where the trombones did). When in position the flugel soloist picks up into rehearsal figure D.When the flugel soloist finishes playing, just before rehearsal figure F they then move to their normal seat in the band. At figure F the cornets march onto the stage from either side, they turn and stand side by side each other facing outward towards the audience forming two 'fanfare' lines either side of the lower brass. The conductor follows the cornets on stage and on cue they lift their instruments at the same time and perform when the piece gets to figure G.There is no more moving around from this point on other than the solo cornet to move forward with the solo euphonium and perform their duet at letter H. Also the horns are required to stand and play at letter I and then sit just before J.When performed with all the choreography, this piece makes for an exciting addition to any concert repertoire both for the performer and the audience.Suitable for 3rd Section Bands and Above
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
.png)
£34.95Bah Humbug! - Jonathan Bates
DURATION: 3'00". DIFFICULTY: 3rd+. Composed for Strata Brass in 2020 as part of their COVID-19 induced, virtually recorded 'A Christmas Carol' (a new suite for brass band lasting around 30 minutes in total), 'Bah Humbug!' is a tongue-in-cheek yet showy solo composed for Bass Trombone. Throughout the work, the solo line is used to depict Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man with little-to-no compassion or generosity and this grumpiness is portrayed throughout the solo. Often there will be moments of lightness and hoy, quickly banished by the misery of the Bass Trombonist!.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
-
£33.00
British Beauties - Gilbourne, J
Includes a full band set (no score)'When you and I were young, Maggie' (Trombone Solo);'A Hundred Pipers';'Old Rustic Bridge by the Mill' (Cornet Solo);'The Poacher';'Vale of Llangollen (Euphonium Solo);'Rakes o' Mallow';'Bay of Biscay'
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
-
£13.00
Three Famous Songs - Various
Includes a full band set (no score)Killarney (cornet solo) by BalfeLet Me Like A Soldier Fall (trombone solo) by WallaceBonnie Mary Of Argyle (euphonium solo) by Nelson
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
-
£59.99Second Star to the Right, The - Christopher Bond
This famous tune from the iconic Peter Pan movie has been arranged many times, but never for brass band. This arrangement for solo trombone and band is ideal for putting one of the trombones in the spotlight, with a solo part and accompaniment suitable for bands of third section standard and higher.
Estimated dispatch 5-10 working days
-
£60.99The Second Star to the Right
This famous tune from the iconic Peter Pan movie has been arranged many times, but not often for a solo instrument with band accompaniment. Christopher Bond has created a lovely arrangement for solo trombone and band - ideal for putting one of the trombones in the spotlight!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£69.99Flying the Breeze - Philip Sparke
Flying the Breeze opens with three repeated B's (representing the initials of the Breeze Brass Band from Japan who commissioned this work). A short introduction leads to a robust theme from the baritones and euphoniums which is taken up by cornets and trombones. A restless bridge passage leads to a syncopated tune from the solo cornet and then to a third theme from a solo trombone. A graceful second subject leads back to a recall of the introductory material before a full-scale recapitulation. An intense allargando leads to a full-band version of the second subject under a running cornet passage, which leads to a short coda.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£60.00Fantasie Concertante (Score only) - Philip Wilby
This exciting new concerto is a welcome addition to the repertoire of french and tenor horn players alike. Like the 18th-Century Serenade form there are five movements, arranged symmetrically around a slow movement - Soliloquy - which separates movements entitled Burlesque (two) and Valse Caprice (three) respectively. The first and last movements share common material of a more symphonic stature, and the concerto ends with a brisk fugato. The solo horn is (in the band version) accompanied by a quintet of solo players (two cornets, euphonium, trombone, and tuba) who provide the lion's share of the counterpoint and contrast with the main body of musicians who provide musical punctuation in the more sonorous tutti sections. The first movement, Don Quixote's Dream, contains references to Cervantes' famous hero, the Spanish nature of his stories, and the ambling gait of his horseback adventures.
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
View Music