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£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
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£38.95Unity Series Band Journal - Numbers 530 - 533, June 2024
530: Carol Arrangement - God rest you merry, gentlemen (Noel Jones)This swing arrangement of the traditional English carol also features references to O come, all ye faithful (C.C. 61) and Jingle Bells (C.C. 121). Play with imagination and a sense of style!531: Go, tell it on the mountain! (Nathanael Watchorn)Historically, the passion of enslaved people in America for singing about the Gospel of Jesus is well documented, but it was men of three generations, each named John Wesley Work, who enabled spirituals to become more widely known. John Wesley Work Sr, a church choir director in Nashville, Tennessee, wrote and arranged music for the pioneering Fisk Jubilee Singers whose early repertoire consisted largely of spirituals. This passion and knowledge of spirituals was passed down through the generations. John Work III travelled hundreds of miles to collect songs by attending church services in remote areas. In 1940, he published a collection of 230 songs which included a setting of Go, tell it on the mountain! that is still performed today.Nathanael Watchorn, a Bandsman at Regent Hall Corps in London, is a new contributor to the journals. He originally wrote this as a vocal arrangement for the group FourHymn, subsequently transcribing it for the corps' Young People's Band, while he was Band Leader.532: Carol Arrangement - They all were looking for a king (Stephen Hull)At the North American Composers Forum, Major Len Ballantine challenged participants to find an unfamiliar song in the Salvation Army Song Book and try to write an arrangement of the listed tune. Stephen Hull happened across They all were looking for a king (S.A.S.B. 128) and the tune Childhood (T.B. 421) which lead to this arrangement.533: March - Washed and healed (Eiliv Herikstad)The Christian experience of many people will have been positively impacted by the life of the late Bandmaster Eiliv Herikstad, either personally or through his musical leadership and compositions. This march is the second publication from this well-known Salvation Army composer since his Promotion to Glory last year. This march is more traditional in style that many of his compositions but contains a strong Christian message and demonstrates his compositional expertise.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£38.95Unity Series Band Journal - Numbers 522 - 525, October 2023
522: Festival March - The Rescuers (Andrew Hedley)This exciting and bright festival march comes from a new contributor to the band journals. Andrew Hedley is a bandsman at Chester-le-Street Corps and a member of the Euphonium Section of the International Staff Band. This work contains inventive harmonic and melodic patterns and we hope this will be the first of many works from this composer to be seen in our journals.523: Moses and Pharaoh (Ralph Pearce)This piece owes its creation to the playing of the Montclair Citadel Young Peoples' Band in the Sunday School assembly every weekend. The song Pharaoh, Pharaoh is extremely popular and is sung with gusto and much movement. The presentation of this song derives for an accompaniment written for the band to play along with the singing. To widen its use, the spiritual Go down, Moses (STTL Vol.7, Part 2) was added to make the present composition. This music should have drive throughout and be played with a sense of fun.524: Lord, to thee (Alan Williams)This is a setting of the tune Hendon (T.B. 249). The piece uses the first verse of Frances Ridley Havergal's commonly associated text 'Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee' (S.A.S.B. 623), and from there it takes its title.525: Song Arrangement - This is why (Noel Jones)This music is based on the tune This is why (T.B. 353) by Elisha Albright Hoffman and this two-verse arrangement reflects the great song of testimony Would you know why I love Jesus (S.A.S.B. 912). An associated scripture reference is found in Mark 10:45 'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'. The motif 'Would you know' occurs in the opening bars and is repeated throughout the piece, along with fragments of the first verse. The chorus confirms the hoy that Christians experience knowing that Christ's sacrifice has bought forgiveness for our wrongdoings.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£29.95Song for the Skies
Song for the Skies was commissioned by Tuba virtuoso Les Neish and was given its world premier on the December 9th 2010 with the James Madison University Brass Band in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA.Les asked me to compose a slow melody that highlights the wonderful sonorous sound of the Tuba. I am a big fan of Les and of the instrument and knowing the capabilities of Les as a soloist I wanted to experiment with the range and colour of the instrument in this solo.After a warm introduction from the ensemble the soloist enters almost timeless over the muted cornets. The melody when it is first heard has a somewhat haunting Celtic feel to it. It is intentionally marked as con rubato so that the soloist can really put their own musical stamp on the music. As the haunting melody repeats again this time in a change of key the accompaniment takes more of a role within the piece of music performing counter melodies within this second section.The middle of the piece introduces a new secondary melodic device that serves as an introduction to the original melody played in all its glory by the ensemble. This dies away to leave the second half of the melody in the euphoniums and baritones as the soloist plays a soaring counter melody in the highest register of the instrument.The piece starts to return home with a recapitulation of the introduction followed by the second part of the original melody by the soloist. After a momentary reflective solo from the soloist the introduction is used for a final time before the tuba guides us home to conclude.For the soloist, there are a number of occasions where the opportunity to play in the upper register of the instrument arises. However, I have also given the opportunity for the soloist to play various passages down the octave so it suits the performers playing style and range.Song for the Skies is very simple yet beautiful and I feel it suits the playing of the Eb Tuba perfectly. I hope you enjoy performing it.Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£33.02Love Divine (Blaenwern) (Brass Band) William Rowlands arr. Kenneth Downie
This delightful setting for brass band by Kenneth Downie is based on the much loved hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, alternatively known as Blaenwern. An optional organ part which will enhance the last verse is included. Kenneth Downie writes: 'It has been a delight to work on this wonderful Welsh hymn tune called Blaenwern, a tune which perfectly suits the majestic words by Charles Wesley, 'Love divine, all loves excelling'. This hymn is all about a big, expansive, all-embracing God, and I have tried to capture this aspect of the words. The rising interval in the introduction is an important feature in developing the notion of a 'big God', and its reappearance near the end is intended to be very significant. The hymn is full of memorable phrases which will hopefully inspire players, singers and conductors as they contemplate the text in preparation for any performance. 'Joy of Heaven, to earth come down', 'Enter every longing heart', 'Finish then thy new creation', and then the last amazing four lines: 'Changed from glory into glory, Till in Heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love and praise'. The addition of the organ in the last verse, by special request of Peggy and Scott Thomas who commissioned the arrangement, should add to the majesty of the music, but of course, it is not fundamental to any performance. May this music bring honour to our amazing God!' To view a video of the Melbourne Staff Band playing the piece please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUszRQh40lQ A rolling score video can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4dM0fZaVug Sheet music available from www.brassband.co.uk Difficulty Level: 4th Section + Length: 4.00 minutes 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 Percussion 1-2 Organ (optional)
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£121.00Decennium - Eric Swiggers
'Decennium' was composed in 2003 as a commission by the municipality of Berheze for its tenth anniversary. The composition describes the history of this town in the Province of Brabant, consisting of 6 different villages: Heesch, Heeswijk, Dinther, Nistelrode, Loosbroek and Vorstenbosch. The composition starts with a slow introduction, Adagio Misterioso, suggesting the atmosphere in long-ago days when the area consisted mainly of swamps, meres and low woods. (The word 'Bern' is a synonym of 'Born' meaning source or water, whereas 'Hese' is derived from 'Haisjo' meaning brushwood ). Above the dark sounds we hear far away trumpet signals announcing the Middle Ages. After a piercing crescendo, we hear the full sound of festive trumpets. A medieval dance, as was to be heard in the Heeswijk castle, follows. This dance gets a more and more stirring character and finally turns into a merry popular dance ending with a burst of laughter reproduced by descending scales with the muted trombones and trumpets. A slow transition with a quotation from a Gregorian plainsong (Domine Deus) and church bell ringing, referring to the Abbey of Berne, brings us to a romantic Larghetto. This part describes the quiet rural life in a beautiful natural surrounding. The last dying note contrasts with the threatening ostinato, referring to the rise of the industrialization, which provoked quite some resistance with the local people. Once more we hear the 'Domine Deus' but much more powerful this time. When the resistance calms down, the work concludes with an Alla Marcia. The first notes of the main theme could be heard all through the composition and now we hear the complete main theme again. The new town is born. A festive conclusion refers both to the tenth anniversary and the optimism and confidence as to the future.
Estimated dispatch 10-14 working days
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£40.00
Walk Like an Egyptian - Sternberg, L - Harper, P
A brand new arrangement of The Bangles iconic 1986 hit which always goes down a storm and enlivens any concert!Plenty of opportunity for choreography is included as well as a solo feature for the trombone player.Click here to listen to a short excerpt3rd Section+Duration 3 mins
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£34.95
SAINTS ON PARADE (Brass Band Set) - Kevin Norbury
Originally composed for the 2004 UK tour by the New York Staff Band, this American-style concert opener contains three well-known tunes which are subjected to a range of musical styles synonymous with the USA. 'Always cheerful', 'I've got the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart' and 'O, when the saints go marching in' are given the marching band, big band and Sousa-style march treatment.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£34.95Saints On Parade (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Norbury, Kevin
Originally composed for the 2004 UK tour by the New York Staff Band, this American-style concert opener contains three well-known tunes which are subjected to a range of musical styles synonymous with the USA. 'Always cheerful', 'I've got the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart' and 'O, when the saints go marching in' are given the marching band, big band and Sousa-style march treatment.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£17.50
Saints On Parade (Brass Band - Score only) - Norbury, Kevin
Originally composed for the 2004 UK tour by the New York Staff Band, this American-style concert opener contains three well-known tunes which are subjected to a range of musical styles synonymous with the USA. 'Always cheerful', 'I've got the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart' and 'O, when the saints go marching in' are given the marching band, big band and Sousa-style march treatment.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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