Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer / arranger: Alan Fernie
Now set as the 1st. Section Test piece for the NATIONAL FINALS of the 2010 BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS of Graet Britain. Harrogate International Centre, Sunday 26th. September 2010.
Click on "MORE DETAILS" to view the Solo Cornet part.
The individual movements are : 1. At The Palace gates 2. Holyrood Park 3. Jenny Ha's Reel 4. March "Castrum Dun-Edin".
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Carl Maria von Webber Arranger: Bram Gay
You can listen to an extract or view the Solo Cornet part as a PDF image of this work on your computer, by clicking on the "MORE DETAILS" button on the right - this will reveal the audio extract & PDF image for you to sample.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Etienne Crausaz
Grade 6 Duration 13:45
Rush Hour was commissioned by the Swiss Brass Band Association (SBBV) on the occasion of the 38th Swiss National Brass Band Championships 2012 (Montreux SBBW) as the test piece in the Championship division.Structured in three parts without breaks, the work opens in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere, sometimes even noisy. After a short passage in a lighter mood a quick tempo takes over, the music becomes nervous and unrelenting, with constant twists and turns. The tension builds, leading to a slower movement in which various soloists are highlighted. A few humorous touches are heard in contrast to a majestic, powerful and dramatic chorale. The end of this part is brighter and more peaceful. This atmosphere is soon replaced by a return of the thematic material heard in the first movement, developing into an oppressive moos. The piece concludes with a last ecstatic tutti, reusing the harmonies of the introduction in a kind of final flurry.Rush Hour attempts to express the range of feelings we may experience when caught in various stressful situations in the middle of the rush hour.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Philip Sparke Difficulty level: Championship
Set as the 1st. Section Tespiece for the 2008 National Finals in Harrogate.
To hear audio extracts of the four sections of this work, click on the "MORE DETAILS" button opposite.
This work, which has four main defining sections performed as a continuous work, was commissioned by by Frei Hornmusikk from Norway to celebrate the joining of the two neighbouring Kommuner of Frei and Kristiansund, which took place on the 1st. of January 2008.
The piece traces the key events in the life of Haakon the Good (c,920 - 961), later to become King Haakon1 - The Future King - who had been fostered by King Athelstan of England as part of a peace agreement made by his father. The English King brought him up in the Christian Religion, and, on the news of his father's death, provided him with ships and men for an expedition against his half-brother Eirik Bloodaxe, who had been proclaimed king of Norway. On his arrival he travelled north - The Journey to Trondheim - where he began to gain support of the landowners by promising to give up the rights of taxation his father had previously claimed.
Erik's sons allied themselves with the Danes, but were invariably defeated by Haakon, who was successful in everything he undertook except in his attempts to introduce Christianity to the country - The Missionary King - which aroused an opposition he did not feel strong enough to face.
One of the most famous victories was The Battle of Rastarkalv ( near to Frei )in 955. By placing ten standards far apart along a low ridge (to give the impression that his army was bigger than it actually was) he managed to fool Eirik's sons that they were out-numbered. The Danes fled and were slaughtered by Haakon's army.
If you enjoyed listening to these four audio extracts and want to hear the complete performance of this work, then you can do so by purchasing the CD entitled "MUSIC for BATTLE CREEK - The Brass Band Music of Philip Sparke" on Anglo Records AR022-3, featuring the Black Dyke Band conductor Dr.Nicholas Childs.
To view 