Results
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£30.00Quarks & Things - Jock McKenzie
In the world of physics, a 'quark' is one of the smallest known particles of matter. They were present at the Big Bang and theory suggests that within 5 minutes of this most momentous of events they were already teaming up with other particles to form the building blocks of our very existence. Musically I had a very small idea, nothing more than a one bar motif including the often-used triplet figure which I endeavoured to make into something more substantial; much as quarks do themselves. The finished product is wrapped up in a street swing feel in an attempt to evoke the funkier edge of the New Orleans style brass bands.
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£40.00Reflections of Tyne - Matthew Hall
Reflections of Tyne was commissioned by the NASUWT Riverside Band for their 2019 performance at Brass in Concert at The Sage in Gateshead.Reflections of Tyne combines two traditional songs from the North East of England into a rumbustious concert or contest finisher full of flair and excitement.The Waters of Tyne and The Cliffs of Old Tynemouth blend in the opening reflection of the stillness of the River Tyne before the industrial heritage of North East England is forces its way on to the landscape as the pace and intensity doubles almost instantaneously. A calmer, contemplative, solo passage precedes the final energetic climax in a vibrant musical rendition of the North East as we know it today, with the Tyne as important now as it ever has been.
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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Game Of Thrones - Ramin Djawadi - Len Jenkins
"Game of Thrones" is an American fantasy drama television series based on George Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" and has received widespread acclaim by critics, although its use of nudity and violence has caused controversy. Filmed in Belfast and on location elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Malta, Croatia, Iceland, and Morocco, it premiered in 2011 and continues into a fourth season in 2014. The series interweaves several plot lines and through its morally ambiguous characters, explores the issues of social hierarchy, religion, loyalty, corruption, sexuality, civil war, crime, and punishment. It is set in a period that contains elements from the dark ages through to the medieval. The music for the series was composed by Ramin Djawadi and is noted for its popular main theme which is presented here as an arrangement for Brass Band. In keeping with the period depicted, the piece contains a significant contribution from the percussion section and care has been taken to achieve the desired effect with the normal resources of the average band.
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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.
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Le Canal En Octobre - Frederic Paris - Len Jenkins
The tune that forms the basis of this arrangement for brass band was recommended to us by a good friend who plays concertina and melodeon in the traditional English Folk genre. Its delightfully simple melody is based on a French Schottische composed by Frederic Paris and is frequently played at folk music sessions where it is instantly recognised and internationally known. As a folk tune used for dancing, the piece would consist of Tune A and Tune B which would each be repeated several times in succession. In this arrangement for brass, that basic order of the melodies has been varied, and includes a brief foray into a minor key to maintain audience interest. It is not a difficult piece and should be within the capabilities of a fourth section band. However, it is recognised that not every brass band possesses a Marimba, and that part can be played on a Glockenspiel, with appropriate adjustment to fit the available range of the instrument.
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Saviour's Day - Chris Eaton - Len Jenkins
Chris Eaton wrote "Saviour's Day" in October 1989 and took the original version of the song to a Christmas party to show Cliff Richard, despite having been told that his songs had already been selected for the following year. Nevertheless, they listened to the tape in Cliff's Rolls Royce. He liked it and predicted it could be a 'number one'. The following year it became just that; the second Christmas solo 'number one' for Cliff, following the success of "Mistletoe and Wine" in 1988. Since then it has variously been voted into lists of both the best and the most annoying Christmas songs. A music video of the song was filmed at Durdle Door near Swanage in Dorset, in warm, sunny September weather but with extras wearing winter clothes as if at Christmas. Enjoy!
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It's Alright - Mike Moran - Len Jenkins
"It's Alright", the theme song for the BBC TV series New Tricks, was written by Mike Moran, whose credits also include composing the song "Barcelona" for Freddy Mercury, the theme to the UK crime series 'Taggart' and the Lynsey de Paul entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. As a producer, he has worked on The Queen Album and Elaine Paige's Piaf. New Tricks follows New Scotland Yard's mythical Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad, which is staffed by retired police officers who have been recruited to look into unsolved crimes, including murders. Whilst this particular squad is fictitious, the concept is based firmly on fact. Although New Tricks does have serious plots, the series also contains a fair amount of humour, usually revolving around in-house banter, and the lyrics to Mike Moran's song does it justice. Dennis Waterman, who played Gerry Standing, one of the team, was the obvious choice of vocalist, although the song was never released commercially. Sadly Dennis died in May 2022.
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£48.00Concerto for Euphonium - Kenneth Downie
An accessible and enjoyable showpiece for soloists of all ages. The concerto's three movements are in a tuneful, melodic style and bravura passages are mixed with others designed to exploit the singing qualities of the instrument. The first movement is a vigorous allegro in which the short, pithy motifs of the opening theme contrast with the broad sweep of the second subject. A short cadenza-like passage yields to a high-spirited episode before a reprise of the opening ends the movement quietly. The second movement opens with a warm, romantic melody which is soon taken up by the soloist. A short animated section gives way to the earlier tutti theme, this time with passionate decoration from the soloist before the music gently unwinds in a tranquil coda. The finale has a bouncy, festive feel. After the first subject runs its course there is a brief journey through a more contrapuntal style, before a spirited presto moves into a compound episode before returning to the opening idea. A jubilant coda brings the work to a conclusion.
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
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£60.00Concerto for Euphonium (Parts only) - Kenneth Downie
An accessible and enjoyable showpiece for soloists of all ages. The concerto's three movements are in a tuneful, melodic style and bravura passages are mixed with others designed to exploit the singing qualities of the instrument. The first movement is a vigorous allegro in which the short, pithy motifs of the opening theme contrast with the broad sweep of the second subject. A short cadenza-like passage yields to a high-spirited episode before a reprise of the opening ends the movement quietly. The second movement opens with a warm, romantic melody which is soon taken up by the soloist. A short animated section gives way to the earlier tutti theme, this time with passionate decoration from the soloist before the music gently unwinds in a tranquil coda. The finale has a bouncy, festive feel. After the first subject runs its course there is a brief journey through a more contrapuntal style, before a spirited presto moves into a compound episode before returning to the opening idea. A jubilant coda brings the work to a conclusion.
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
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£62.00Concerto for Euphonium - Philip Wilby
Completed on New Year's Eve 1995, Philip Wilby's concerto has already established itself as one of, if not the, greatest concerto for the instrument written so far. Its extended length seeks to explore that fine combination of sustained lyricism and explosive virtuosity which typifies the modern euphonium in the most expert hands. There are two parts which divide into four movements. Part One opens with a sonata structure movement which alternates between a melodic style and some rapid passage work. The intention of the music is a firm and cerebral development of the opening fourth-based motifs. At the tranquil conclusion of this music the second movement bursts in - Zeibekikos - a rapid and extrovert Greek Island dance complete with plate smashing! Part Two re-examines some of the opening material surrounded by cadenzas, and centred upon a short and sustained adagio. The final movement opens with a rapid fugal section which moves inexorably towards a climactic return of the music and tonality of the open
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days