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£80.00The Unfortunate Traveller (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Holst, Imogen - Hindmarsh, Paul
Imogen Holst (1907-1984) submitted The Unfortunate Traveller (1929) as her final work as a student portfolio at the Royal College of Music, where her composition teacher was Gordon Jacob. The title was taken from Thomas Nashe's famous 1594 picaresque novel of the same title. The Suite was first performed on 12 February 1933 at her Majesty's Theatre, Carlisle, by the St. Stephen's Band, with the composer conducting. Te concert was given in memory of Holst's uncle, Dr. H.A. Lediard. Holst had been impressed with the band's performance of his A Moorside Suite at the 1928 National Brass Band Championships (The Crystal Palace, South London) and was keen to work with them. Writing in Imogen Holst, a life in music, Christopher Grogan indicates that it was Gustav Holst's suggestion to include his daughter's work in the programme, quoting Imogen Holst's remarks made in interview to The Daily Mail as follows: "....it is the first time, so far as I know, that a woman has conducted a brass band at a public concert....It has been a delight to rehearse the St. Stephen's Band. It was their performance at the Crystal Palace Festival that inspired me to write this Suite, which I have dedicated to them."Imogen Holst accompanied her father to the Crystal Palace in 1928 to hear the performances of A Moorside Suite, and was so excited by the played and, audibly, by her father's music that she decided to write a brass band piece for her final examination. Te result was The Unfortunate Traveller (1929). However, it was not possible for her to present a brass band work for examination. She arranged it for string orchestra so that it could be played before she left the RCM in July 1930. Following the premiere of the original in 1933, the manuscripts did not resurface until 1969 Imogen found them among her late mother's effects. Although she requested score and parts be destroyed, they ended up in the possession of Manchester composer John Golland, who marked up the score presumably with the intention of creating a new performing edition. The original scoring reveals a lack of experience with what can be a tricky medium.With the agreement of the Holst Foundation, a revised edition, with additional percussion, was prepared in 2011 since when the work has been fortunate to travel round the world as a concert and contest piece. The original includes drums in the March only. The title was taken from Tomas Nashe's famous 1594 picaresque novel of the same title. Several Morris Dance tunes are introduced during the course of the four short movements, including Bonnie Green Garters, Shepherd's Hey, The Rose and The Wind Blaws Cauld. Quirky twists and turns of harmony and spirited rhythms that remind us how much Imogen Holst loved tradition English dance music.In September 2025, I made a performing edition of the composer's arrangement for string orchestra. The manuscript lacks the final movement, which I arranged in a similar style, ie. without extending the upper ranges. Making this edition raised some issues regarding the accuracy of my band version and some of the solutions I used to smooth out the voicing. I have used the composer's second thoughts to refine my performing edition and to correct a textual errors.- Paul HindmarshDuration: 10.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£40.00
The Unfortunate Traveller (Brass Band - Score only) - Holst, Imogen - Hindmarsh, Paul
Imogen Holst (1907-1984) submitted The Unfortunate Traveller (1929) as her final work as a student portfolio at the Royal College of Music, where her composition teacher was Gordon Jacob. The title was taken from Thomas Nashe's famous 1594 picaresque novel of the same title. The Suite was first performed on 12 February 1933 at her Majesty's Theatre, Carlisle, by the St. Stephen's Band, with the composer conducting. Te concert was given in memory of Holst's uncle, Dr. H.A. Lediard. Holst had been impressed with the band's performance of his A Moorside Suite at the 1928 National Brass Band Championships (The Crystal Palace, South London) and was keen to work with them. Writing in Imogen Holst, a life in music, Christopher Grogan indicates that it was Gustav Holst's suggestion to include his daughter's work in the programme, quoting Imogen Holst's remarks made in interview to The Daily Mail as follows: "....it is the first time, so far as I know, that a woman has conducted a brass band at a public concert....It has been a delight to rehearse the St. Stephen's Band. It was their performance at the Crystal Palace Festival that inspired me to write this Suite, which I have dedicated to them."Imogen Holst accompanied her father to the Crystal Palace in 1928 to hear the performances of A Moorside Suite, and was so excited by the played and, audibly, by her father's music that she decided to write a brass band piece for her final examination. Te result was The Unfortunate Traveller (1929). However, it was not possible for her to present a brass band work for examination. She arranged it for string orchestra so that it could be played before she left the RCM in July 1930. Following the premiere of the original in 1933, the manuscripts did not resurface until 1969 Imogen found them among her late mother's effects. Although she requested score and parts be destroyed, they ended up in the possession of Manchester composer John Golland, who marked up the score presumably with the intention of creating a new performing edition. The original scoring reveals a lack of experience with what can be a tricky medium.With the agreement of the Holst Foundation, a revised edition, with additional percussion, was prepared in 2011 since when the work has been fortunate to travel round the world as a concert and contest piece. The original includes drums in the March only. The title was taken from Tomas Nashe's famous 1594 picaresque novel of the same title. Several Morris Dance tunes are introduced during the course of the four short movements, including Bonnie Green Garters, Shepherd's Hey, The Rose and The Wind Blaws Cauld. Quirky twists and turns of harmony and spirited rhythms that remind us how much Imogen Holst loved tradition English dance music.In September 2025, I made a performing edition of the composer's arrangement for string orchestra. The manuscript lacks the final movement, which I arranged in a similar style, ie. without extending the upper ranges. Making this edition raised some issues regarding the accuracy of my band version and some of the solutions I used to smooth out the voicing. I have used the composer's second thoughts to refine my performing edition and to correct a textual errors.- Paul HindmarshDuration: 10.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£65.50Windsor Variations - Gavin Somerset
The first major Concert Work/Test Piece by Gavin Somerset for brass band takes the familiar tune, St. George's Windsor (Elvey) and gives us a highly enjoyable opus, full of music with which players & MDs can fully express themselves. Often sang to the harvest hymn, Come, Ye Thankful People Come, Its majesty and motifs make this an enjoyable piece to both play and listen to. The work's primary focus is on melody and music with all sections of the band involved in bringing this piece to life. At harvest time or any other, this is a great new feature work for the brass band repertoire. GET THE PARTS FREE TO REHEARSE AT HOME Whilst Brass Band rehearsals continue to be suspended, we are offering FREE downloads of any of the instrumental parts for this new work*. A downloadable playback of the work is also available for you to play along to with a click track included where deemed appropiate to aid your home practice. To download your free instrumental part, please send us a quick email to [email protected]. Once we have received your request, you shall be emailed your free music. Please allow up to 24hrs for this to arrive. Thank you. To download the playback audio to play along to, please RIGHT CLICK HERE & Save As . *A maximum of 2 parts per email address allowed
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£44.50Wicked (Selections From) - Stephen Schwartz - Gavin Somerset
Since 2003, this smash hit musical telling the untold stories of the witched of Oz, has been entertaining audiences across the globe. The show has achieved worldwide success and broken box office records for weekly-gross-takings in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, and London as well as holding the record for the biggest opening in the West End (�100,000 in its first hour on sale!) The music by Stephen Schwartz is a hit amongst audiences of all ages. Now, for the first time, the music is available for Brass Band in an arrangement personally approved by the composer. The arrangement by Gavin Somerset includes the well-known items "What Is The Feeling", "Dancing Through Life", "Popular" and the dazzling "Defying Gravity", of which "Defying Gravity" can be played as a stand-alone item, perfect for entertainments contests & encores etc. This is a feast of music, bringing variety to your concerts and a must for every bands library.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£29.50Cheer Up, Charlie - Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newman - Gavin Somerset
This fresh new cornet solo comes from one of the greatest loved movies of all time. Featuring alongside musical hits such as Pure Imagination and The Candy Man, 'Cheer Up, Charlie' is probably one of the most underrated musical numbers from the film, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. In the film, the song is sung by Charlie's mother, whilst young Charlie ponders the life he believes lay ahead for him. With a complex chord structure, the band parts remain interesting throughout whilst the lyrical solo line can shine in this beautiful, melodic work. A great 'slow melody' solo item and one that works on both concert and contest stages. 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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£65.50Phoenix - David Holling
Phoenix is a programmatic study depicting the life of the fascinating fictitious bird. The opening is dramatic and yet joyous, followed by the first theme that represents the bird in flight; light in style but relentless all the same. A touch of Latin imposes on a small part of the opening section before returning to the theme once again. The 'Tranquillo' section represents the calm dignity of the bird's fate before the tender slow movement conveys the Phoenix's death with a new theme. This is chance for the soloists to demonstrate musical and technical skill and should be treated interpretively, not mechanically. A fanfare then bursts forth followed by a serious but short fugal section as the Phoenix is reborn. The bird takes flight again in the closing section of music where the melodic content should always be at the forefront of the ensemble.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£29.50Uptown Funk! - Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars - Dave Collins
Brass Bands are amongst the most versatile of instrumental ensembles. With that, comes this showcase of a piece that held its place at No.1 in the charts for 14 consecutive weeks and was nominated for 2 Grammy Awards. Following some legal matters that needed clearing up concerning the writing credits on the original single, bands have been unable to purchase this title, until now! Full of energy and life, this really is the piece for your next concert programme if you want to grab your audience's attention and be a real hit with the younger generation.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£29.50
New Horizons - Max Stannard
This composition was originally written for the Horwich RMI Band to commemorate the life of Matthew Densfield, who has a drummer in his school brass band before his passing at an early age. This is a lively and energetic concert opener which encapsulates Matthew's love of live and rhythm as a drummer. This would be an excellent opener for your next concert and suitable for most bands from 4th to championship section to play. Duration: 3 minutes.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£139.00Spirit of Life - Meindert Boekel/Philip Harper
The fact that composer, Meindert Boekel is an emotional person is rather clear when listening to this composition. He wrote this work after a period in his private life when things had not gone well. Eventually his life started to get better, and with this new life energy he wrote "Spirit of Life".Philip Harper created a highly skilled arrangement for brass band. This publication was made possible in part by a financial contribution from the RIC Foundation (Repertoire Information Centre), part of Rijnbrink/Musidesk in Deventer.
Estimated dispatch 10-14 working days
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£36.00Edward Gregson: The World Rejoicing
DescriptionComposer's NoteIn searching for a common link between the brass band traditions of the various European countries that commissioned this work, I considered the fact that hymns have always played an important role in the relationship that brass bands have with their particular communities; and thus I turned to a well-known Lutheran chorale, Nun danket alle Gott (Now thank we all our God), written around 1636 by Martin Rinkart, with the melody attributed to Johann Cruger. A number of composers have incorporated this chorale into their music, most famously J.S.Bach in his Cantatas no. 79 and 192, and Mendelssohn in the Lobsegang movement of his 2nd Symphony (the harmonization of which is usually used when this hymn is sung).It seemed fitting therefore for me to return to a compositional form I have used many times before (Variations) and to write a work based on this hymn. I have used it in a similar way to that which I employed in my Variations on Laudate Dominum of 1976 - that is, rather than writing a set of variations using elaborations of the complete tune, I have taken various phrases from the chorale and used them within the context of other musical material, applying an overall symphonic process of continuous variation and development. The structure, or sub-divisions of the work, which is through composed and plays without a break, is as follows: Prelude, Capriccio, La Danza 1, Processional, La Danza 2, Arias and Duets, Fuga Burlesca, Chorale, and Postlude.The work is also partly autobiographical - in the manner say of Strauss's Ein Heldenleben - in that I have incorporated into the score brief quotations from many of my other major works for brass band. In that respect, The World Rejoicing sums up a particular facet of my life as a composer, and reflects the admiration I have always had for what is surely one of the great amateur music-making traditions in the world.The World Rejoicing is dedicated 'in loving memory of my brother', Bramwell Logan Gregson, who sadly passed away in the Autumn of 2018.Edward Gregson
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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