Categories: SUMMER 2020 SALE TITLES, TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Dan Price
Currently overstocked on this title - Normally £65.00 - £58.95 in our SALE - limited stock.
Set as the Fourth Section Test Piece for the 2020 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
A suite for Brass Band Chosen for the 4th. Section of the Swiss National Brass Band Championships in 2007 and the Pontins Brass band Championships in 2008.
1. Introduction - Hollybush Hill 2. Elegy - Broadheath 3. March - Worcester Cathedral
To commemorate the 15Oth. Anniversary of the birth of Sir Eward Elgar
The suite is in three movements; Introduction, Elegy and March, each of which have been inspired by three of Elgar’s most celebrated works; Chanson de Matin, Nimrod (Variation IX from the Enigma Variations) and Pomp and Circumstance No.1.
1. Introduction — Hollybush Hill Hollybush Hill is the name of one of the peaks of the Malvem Hills in Worcestershire. The Malverns were a favourite walking area for Elgar and his wife and their panoramic views inspired much of Elgar’s music.
2. Elegy — Broadheath Broadheath is the small village at the foot of the Malvern Hills where Elgar was born (and lived at various times throughout his life). Elgar is buried not far from Broadheath at St Wuistan’s in Little Malvem
3. March — Worcester Cathedral Many of the Worcestershire ensembles and music festivals played an important role in Elgar’s early musical education. He was heavily involved in The Three Choirs Festival and either conducted or played in many of the light orchestras and vocal groups that performed at venues across Worcester. A statue of Elgar overlooks the Cathedral at the end of Worcester High Street.
An Elgar Portrait has been used regularly as an own-choice test-piece for Section 4 bands, and was also selected as the set work for the Swiss National Championships in 2007 as well as the Pontins Championships in 2008.
The composer has slightly reworked this piece for the Section 4 Final of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 2020 and it’s this version that should be performed at the contest. If bands currently have an older version in their libraries, please contact Kirklees Music directly for more information.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Dan Price
Set as the Fourth Section Test Piece for the 2020 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
A suite for Brass Band Chosen for the 4th. Section of the Swiss National Brass Band Championships in 2007 and the Pontins Brass band Championships in 2008.
1. Introduction - Hollybush Hill 2. Elegy - Broadheath 3. March - Worcester Cathedral
To commemorate the 15Oth. Anniversary of the birth of Sir EwardElgar
The suite is in three movements; Introduction, Elegy and March, each of which have been inspired by three of Elgar’s most celebrated works; Chanson de Matin, Nimrod (Variation IX from the Enigma Variations) and Pomp and Circumstance No.1.
1. Introduction — Hollybush Hill Hollybush Hill is the name of one of the peaks of the Malvem Hills in Worcestershire. The Malverns were a favourite walking area for Elgar and his wife and their panoramic views inspired much of Elgar’s music.
2. Elegy — Broadheath Broadheath is the small village at the foot of the Malvern Hills where Elgar was born (and lived at various times throughout his life). Elgar is buried not far from Broadheath at St Wuistan’s in Little Malvem
3. March — Worcester Cathedral Many of the Worcestershire ensembles and music festivals played an important role in Elgar’s early musical education. He was heavily involved in The Three Choirs Festival and either conducted or played in many of the light orchestras and vocal groups that performed at venues across Worcester. A statue of Elgar overlooks the Cathedral at the end of Worcester High Street.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Rodney Newton
The 4th. Section Testpiece for the 2008 Regionals.
Duration: 12:30
Four Cities Symphony was commissioned by the National Contesting Council for the 2008 4th Section Regional Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
Duration: c.11 00’ Movement I — London (c.3’15”) Movement II — Paris (c.2’15”) Movement III — Rome (c.3’OO”) Movement IV — Moscow (c.2’30”)
A short audio extract is provided for you to listen to and get a flavour of the work. Click on "More Details" button on the right to access this extract.
If you enjoyed listening to this extract from this work, you can buy the full CD recording by clicking on the "BROWSE" valve at the top of your screen, then click on the "BRASS BAND CD's" section.
The CD recording is REGIONALS 2008, recorded on DOY CD238.
Programme Notes This symphony (the composer’s 12th) has four movements played without a break. The first centres on two aspects of the city of London: its history and pageantry and its role as a busy modern metropolis.
The second movement depicts Paris, its street cafes and boulevards and riverside walks, in the form of a romantic waltz.
The third movement is constructed around the Gregorian chants of the Lord’s Prayer (Pater noster, qui es in caeIis) and the Creed (Credo in unum Deum) in an evocation of the city of Rome. After a powerful climax, mysterious tramping footsteps are heard as the ghosts of a Roman legion march through the city by night. The vision fades and the pater noster is heard once again, before the movement is brought to a close with the ancient Ambrosian chant, Christus Vincit, Christus Regnet, Christus Imperat.
The final movement is an evocation of the city of Moscow, with its great historic buildings, its turbulent history and its fiery traditional music. At the outset a rather dour folk-like melody is heard which is transformed into a lively Cossack dance.
This work is dedicated to Howard Wilson, former principal euphonium of City of Coventry Band who, in 1972, introduced the composer to top section brass band contesting.
Rodney Newton, September 2007 Born in England in 1945, Rodney Newton studied at Birmingham’s School of Music (now the Birmingham Conservatoire), before freelancing as a professional percussionist with many of the U.K.’s leading orchestras, including the London Symphony. In 1985, following five years as principal timpanist with the English National Opera, Rodney began to work in films and television as a composer, arranger, musical director and music consultant, collaborating on countless feature films and television series before entering the world of higher education as a specialist tutor. He ran a post-graduate degree course in film music at the London College of Music, taught at the Royal Academy of Music and also the London Film School where he is currently a Music Consultant. During the "nineties" Rodney became much involved with brass bands, being responsible for the musical arrangements of 2004 Turner Prize-winner Jeremy Deller’s celebrated Acid Brass project. Since that time he has firmly established himself as one of the leading composers in the brass band movement.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Darrol Barry
This is the FOURTH SECTION Test Piece for the 2023 Regional British Brass Band Championships
Set as the Third Section Test Piece for the 2011 Butlins Mineworkers Brass Band Contest.
A suite in four continuous movements :
01. The Black Prince 02. The Coach Road 03. St. Lawrences Church 04. The Bear
2011 Butlins 3rd Section
Hungerford Town was commissioned by Tim Crouter and the Hungerford Town Band.
The piece is in four movements played through without a break:
The Black Prince: Opens with a short motif on which most of the following music is based. The music settles down into a mysterious mood that builds to the first transformation of the opening theme. The music is solid and rugged.
The Coach Road: Hungerford was always a popular resting place for the horse drawn coaches on the way to London. The music is light and cheerful and features the soprano cornet and solo horn as postilions.
St. Lawrence's Church: The previous motif from the first baritone becomes the main theme for this section that gives plenty of scope for warm and expressive playing. Music from the start of the suite is heard before it moves into a celebratory march.
The Bear: The Bear Is a local inn frequented by travellers. The opening theme is heard again and brings the work to a triumphant close.
Categories: 2025 Regional Test Pieces, TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Andrea Price
Daedalus (pronounced day-da-luss) is a prominent figure in Greek mythology, renowned for his exceptional skills as an inventor, craftsman, and architect. The story of Daedalus symbolises human ingenuity, and epitomises the complex relationship between human creativity and its consequences. His myths explore themes of innovation, pride, and the perilous balance between human ambition and natural limits. After designing the labyrinth for King Minos, Daedalus and his son, Icarus, were imprisoned in a tower in Crete. Daedalus fashioned wings from feathers and wax, and father and son set out on their ill-fated escape. The music is through-composed, with a short introduction leading to five main sections:
Categories: TEST PIECES (Major Works), 2025 Regional Test Pieces Composer: Andrea Price
Daedalus (pronounced day-da-luss) is a prominent figure in Greek mythology, renowned for his exceptional skills as an inventor, craftsman, and architect. The story of Daedalus symbolises human ingenuity, and epitomises the complex relationship between human creativity and its consequences. His myths explore themes of innovation, pride, and the perilous balance between human ambition and natural limits. After designing the labyrinth for King Minos, Daedalus and his son, Icarus, were imprisoned in a tower in Crete. Daedalus fashioned wings from feathers and wax, and father and son set out on their ill-fated escape. The music is through-composed, with a short introduction leading to five main sections:
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Christopher Bond
Philip Morris, chairman of the Music Panel of Kapitol Promotions has selected composers to write testpieces for sections one to four who are going to self publish and sell directly to bands.
He also has stated that this arrangement will be for this year only, and that next year test pieces will again be available through the normal channels.
This means that bands will only be able to buy the testpieces directly from the composers of sections one to four - please go directly to their website.
This work has been set as the Fourth Section Test Piece for the 2020 Regional Brass Band Championships.
Categories: NEW & RECENT Publications, TEST PIECES (Major Works), 2022 NATIONAL FINALS TESTPIECES Composer: Fredrick Schjelderup
This is the Fourth Section Test Piece for 2022 National Finals of the British Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
Durtiation 10.00
New Beginnings was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
and was first performed by The National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain in
August 2021.
It describes in sonic terms the effect that energy can create, both musically and emotionally. Here, in a burst of vibrant rhythmic patterning, and dedicated to the
young players of this famous brass band, New Beginnings is born.
There are three sections.
From the start, it is driven by the percussion section, who push the energy through a sequence of mysterious and joyous moments.
After a sonorous climax, the music subsides to a slower, romantic middle section where the earlier rhythmic energy is transformed into melodic playing from the brass. As the Finale begins, earlier themes are combined, first with a fugato which passes the melodies around the band and then unites in a recapitulation that brings the whole composition to a rousing finish as the romantic hymn makes a final appearance.
Categories: 2022 NATIONAL FINALS TESTPIECES, TEST PIECES (Major Works), NEW & RECENT Publications Composer: Fredrick Schjelderup
This is the Fourth Section Test Piece for 2022 National Finals of the British Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
Durtiation 10.00
New Beginnings was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
and was first performed by The National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain in
August 2021.
It describes in sonic terms the effect that energy can create, both musically and emotionally. Here, in a burst of vibrant rhythmic patterning, and dedicated to the
young players of this famous brass band, New Beginnings is born.
There are three sections.
From the start, it is driven by the percussion section, who push the energy through a sequence of mysterious and joyous moments.
After a sonorous climax, the music subsides to a slower, romantic middle section where the earlier rhythmic energy is transformed into melodic playing from the brass. As the Finale begins, earlier themes are combined, first with a fugato which passes the melodies around the band and then unites in a recapitulation that brings the whole composition to a rousing finish as the romantic hymn makes a final appearance.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Stuart Pullin
Selected for the 3rd. Section of the 2009 Butlins Mineworkers Open Brass Band Festival.
Click on "MORE DETAILS" to view the Solo Cornet part.
Programme Note by Stuart Pullin.
Haydock Variations was commissioned by the Valley Brass (Haydock) Band in 1999 and was premiered by massed bands at a joint concert with the Marple Band in 2000. It was also part of a submission for the degree of MA in Composition at the University of Salford, for which the composer gained a distinction.
Valley Brass are a third section national graded band with a vibrant and successful youth training scheme that has seen their under 16’s band win the National Youth Championships twice and the British Open Youth title in 2006.
The form of Haydock Variations is a double set of variations. The first theme is stated in the opening bars and the second theme derived from the accompaniment to the first (bars 9 - 12). The variations on the themes return in the final marziale section.
About the Composer :
Stuart Pullin began brass lessons at the age of 7, joining the Eccleston Junior Band on cornet and later moving to the tenor horn. He commenced studies at the University of Salford in 1992, graduating with a BA (Hons) music degree in 1995. During his time at the university he won two major composition awards and as a postgraduate student completed an MA in composition with distinction. As a performer Stuart played with some of the finest bands in the Northwest of England, including Wingates and Marple. He was a member of the famous Yorkshire Building Society Band in their halcyon period, winning multiple European and British Open Championships. Stuart was also a fine keyboard player and organist of the URC church in Penwortham and in addition held positions as Musical Director of Hesketh Bank and Chorley Silver Bands. His works have been performed by The Royal Liverpool and BBC Philharmonic Orchestras as well as many top brass bands, and his test piece Musings has been set in competitions across Europe.
Stuart Pullin passed away at the age of 32 on the of September 2007 but leaves a wonderful legacy of compositions. He is survived by his wife Donna.
Please note that in the Butlins 2008 Souvenir Programme the 3rd. Section Testpiece was incorrectly announced as HORBURY VARIATIONS, this of course should have been "HAYDOCK VARIATIONS"
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Stuart Pullin
Selected for the 3rd. Section of the 2009 Butlins Mineworkers Open Brass Band Festival.
Please note that in the Butlins 2008 Souvenir Programme the 3rd. Section Testpiece was incorrectly announced as HORBURY VARIATIONS, this of course should have been "HAYDOCK VARIATIONS"
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Philip Harper
Set as the Third Section Test piece for the 2018 Regional Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
Duration approx. 10.00 Commissioned by the Jugend Brass Band Forum Ostschweitz, Switzerland 2016
This piece is based on the famous oil painting by jacques-Louis David, ‘Napoleon Crossing the Alps’, painted between l80l and i805 and reproduced on the front cover here, The image shows Napoleon on horse-back as he leads his army across the Swiss Alps, and is highly idealized with the great French commander wearing a flowing red cape and gesturing self-confidently with his right hand.
The first part of the music is called ‘Approaching the Great Saint-Bernard Pass’ and depicts the snowy mountains looming in the distance and the determined march of the Napoleonic Army towards the crossing.
The second part is called ‘The Emperor Napoleon’ and we hear the great leader arrive on the scene with a noble and heroic theme, accompanied by stately fanfares with an exotic flavour. Before a full-toned recapitulation of the theme there is a brief quotation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 ‘The Eroica' which is dedicated to Napoleon and his revolutionary ideals.
The third part is called ‘Onwards, to the Empire!‘ and the music describes Napoieon’s relentless drive to expand the French empire across the globe at the beginning of the nineteenth century. A solo fanfare from the cornet leads the charge and, one by one, everyone else takes up the call to arms as the music marches to its triumphant conclusion.
This piece was first performed directly in front of the Napoleon Museum in Arenenberg, Switzerland in Summer 2016.
Categories: TEST PIECES (Major Works), 2023 NATIONAL FINALS TEST PIECES Composer / arranger: Edward Gregson
Set as the CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION test piece for the 2023 National Finals of the British Brass Band Championships in the Royal Albert Hall, London on Saturday 21st. October 2023.
In stock for immediate delivery.
Written in 1992 and used for the Championship Section of the 1993 Brass Band Championships.
Duration 17.00 Minutes
Of Men and Mountains was commissioned by the Netherlands Brass Band Championships for their 10th anniversary contest, which was held in Drachten, Netherlands, on 8th December 1990.
The title of the work, and indeed its inspiration, came from a train journey which my wife and I made in July 1989 across Canada from Toronto to Vancouver. The awe-inspiring journey through the Rocky Mountains, with its high peaks and canyons and the sunlight shafting through the clouds high above, made me understand a little more of the majesty of nature and the fragility of humanity. The eternal struggle between man and nature was personified in the building of this incredible railway…hence my title (after Blake)
The work is dedicated to the memory of Eric Ball who died shortly before I commenced writing it. My admiration for his music is considerable and I am sure he would have shared the feelings behind the inspiration for this music.
Of Men and Mountains is in one continuous movement and lasts about 17 minutes. Its form is difficult to describe because of its motivic and accumulative nature, but it could be described as a piece in search of a theme which eventually comes in its final and complete state in the majestic ending, after an ever-increasingly paced Scherzo. However, here is a rough plan of the work:
A. Slow introduction: themes in embryo – fragmented motives.
B. First fast section: two main ideas – dramatic and very rhythmic.
B1. Second fast section: development of B – scored for separate instrumental groupings.
A1. Return of opening.
C. Long slow section: new theme – solos for various instruments.
B2. Scherzo: re-working of material from B in the form of a gradual, increasingly paced scherzo.
D. Majestic: the culmination of the work – main theme now heard in its final and complete form.
D1. Coda: a short, triumphant, fast section based on the main theme.
Categories: TEST PIECES (Major Works), 2023 NATIONAL FINALS TEST PIECES Composer / arranger: Edward Gregson
Set as the CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION test piece for the 2023 National Finals of the British Brass Band Championships in the Royal Albert Hall, London on Saturday 21st. October 2023.
Categories: 2023 NATIONAL FINALS TEST PIECES, TEST PIECES (Major Works), NEW & RECENT Publications Composer: Philip Sparke
The Second Section Test Piece for the 2023 National Finals in Cheltenham - September
In stock for immediate delivery.
'Lakeland Variations' by Philip Sparke was commissioned by the Seeländer Jugend Brass Band to celebrate their 20th Jubilee course in the summer of 2022. The premiere was conducted by Michael Bach.
The region of Seeland (Lakeland) lies in the north-west part of Switzerland and is famous for its three lakes of Morat, Neuchâtel and Bienne.
The work comprises an introduction and 5 variations based on motifs contained in the opening bars; the lakes represented by the three notes of the opening timpani solo, the intervals of which, a fourth and a second — together with a cornet figure in bar 4 — form the basis of all the following variations.
To view 