Light concert music from Bernaerts, Chandos, DeHaske, Faber, Gramercy, Howard Snell, Kirklees, Lake Music, Novello, Obrasso, R Smith, Salvation Army, Studio Music, Windwood Music, Wright & Round and many, many more.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Philip Doe
The Foggy Dew is one of those charming Irish melodies which seem to capture the beauty and serenity of that country, all of which is evoked in this delicate arrangement by Philip Doe. This work has been recorded on the CD East Coast Pictures by the Leyland Band, conducted by Phillip Littlemore.
Brass Band Grade 3
Duration: 5 minutes.
Grade equivalents for Brass Band test-pieces where there is considerable overlap at the higher levels, depending on the level of competition (local, regional or national):
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Shostakovich Arranger: Torgny Hansen
Shostakovich's original was scored for symphony orchestra and subsequently arranged for military band by Vakhvinsky. This transcription for brass band is by Torgny Hanson from Sweden.
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: Dimitri Shostakovitch Arranger: Howard Snell
Few composers have had the musical range of Shostakovitch, from the most profound to the the glam and glitzy, he is equally convincing. This is a short busy piece of film music that has become a staple in brass band programmes everywhere. It never fails.
Arguably the most successful opener of all - provided you've got the band ( cornets ) to play it. Superb "Russing" music, and a great arrangement. duration 2.36
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Georg Friedrich Handel Arranger: Jurjen Hempel
Grade 2 Duration 2:30
Handel's masterpiece The Messiah is perfect for Christmas concerts, and the chorus For Unto Us A Child Is Born is one of the best known. A dignified and substantial choice for your concert!
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Concert Finisher
Programme Notes
The Forces Unleashed was commissioned by the Market Rasen Band who are based in Lincoln, with funds provided by Arts Council England.
The piece of music depicts a musical portrayal of the battle that took place in Lincoln in 1141 during the famous British civil war known as The Anarchy.
The piece of music starts with musical scenes of Lincoln in flames and smoke as an invasion ensues. Forces of Empress Matilda, led by her illegitimate half brother Robert, first Earl of Gloucester invade the city to do battle with soldiers fighting to defend the city for King Stephen.
The opening section portrays the vigorous fighting between the two armies in the city streets. There are some short moments of musical rest from the battle as the leaders plan their next strategic moves, before the battle ensues again.
Concluding with the chords heard at the opening movement - depicting the end of battle for another day. The music then changes to a more melancholy mood of reflection as the soldiers rest under the moonlight within the picturesque city. This middle movement portrays the emotion and fear that was felt in the city by both soldiers and the city's population.
As morning dawns, our final section of music sees the rise and build as the soldiers prepare for the next day of conflict once more. Using the same musical motifs as the opening, battle ensues again, but this time the music leads to a final dramatic conclusion. This closing section portrays Empress Matilda's forces victorious, as they capture King Stephen.
This dramatic work features a variety of ensemble and soloist sections and provides plenty for the ensemble to work on.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Arranger: Klass van der Woude
Born in 1932, John Williams is probably one of the greatest living composers of film music. The Forest Battle is from the film ‘Return of the Jedi’, one of John Williams collaborations with the director Steven Spielberg.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Leroy Anderson Arranger: Geoffrey Brand
duration 2.38
A short mp3 audio extract is provided here to give you a sample of the work. Access it by clicking on the "MORE DETAILS" button. You can buy the full recording of this work on the CD section of our site.
The recording is FAIREY BAND IN CONCERT on Doyen DOY CD224
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