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: Reginald Heath
In William Shakespeare's play "The Winter's Tale", Mamillus, the son of Hermione, says " A sad tale's best for winter", when his mother asks him to sit with her and tell her a tale.
The WINTER'S TALE therefore is a sad play but with a happy ending, and is classified as one of Shakespearse's comedies.
This concert overture is intended to portray the story of the play in music. To assist in the interpretation of the work and to stimulate interest, a synopsis has been incorporated in the score and parts.
The movements are as follows :
1. A Sad tale's Best for Winter
2. Leontes, Hermiobe and Polixines
3. Leontes jealousy and mounting rage.
4. Perdita
5. Perdita and the Shepherd
6. Return of Perdita, Florizel and the Shepherd to Sicilia
7. Paulina presents statue of Hermoine to Leontes
8. Disclosure of the Living Hermoine to Leontes
9. Reconciliation and General Rejoicing.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Hector Berlioz Arranger: Andy Duncan
Great arrangement of one of the great Romantic symphonic pieces of writing for brass - superb musical imagery - duration - 7.04
You can listen to and view an extract of this work on your computer, by clicking on the "MORE DETAILS" button on the right - this will reveal the audio extract for you to sample.
If you enjoyed listening to this extract, you can buy the full recording of this work on the CD section of our site. If you want to perform this work with your band, you can of course purchase the score and parts here right now, by clicking on "BUY NOW".
The recording is Brass in Concert 2004 - Highlights - DOY CD194
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, OPENERS Composers: John Lennon, Paul McCartney Arranger: Leigh Baker
A "walk on" and "walk off" number
Performance Notes
The "Walk On"
In a tribute to Joe Cocker this 'walk on' arrangement starts with a solitary Solo Trombonist, centre stage. He/ She is then joined by the 2nd, then Bass Trombonists. The rest of the band move to standing position (by their seats) section by section for their opening notes (and sit where instructed on score and parts).
The final chord could be used or replaced with a segue into the next piece on the programme. (Ideally band Gs or a piece in band G major or G Minor!)
A great showy opener to kick off a concert. Tie it in with the walk off or use it as a standalone item.
The "Walk Off"
After the last chord has been cut off in the band’s finale (first or second half both work) cue the drummer for the “Stripper fill”.
This works best with the band standing (turned out where appropriate) as the band leaves the stage where instructed (in sections).
Trombones close, centre stage (again) and Solo Trombone is left solitary.
The final chord, cued in by trombonist is to bring the band back in. Band, upon leaving the stage move into auditorium to stand/sit (fairly spread out) almost as audience members. This is ripe for invention!
Categories: Hymn Tunes, LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Philip Sparke
Grade: 4.0
Duration: 06:23
With Clouds Descending is a fantasy on the powerful Advent hymn Helmsley which is long associated with another Advent hymn - Wesley’s Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending. The hymn tune is divided into an introduction and three complete verses of Helmsley, which surround a slower central section, whose melody is derived from the last line of the hymn tune. Philip Sparke’s grade 4 arrangement of this majestic piece for Brass Band is equally suitable as a concert opener or a main concert piece.
Categories: Hymn Tunes, LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Philip Sparke
Grade: 4.0
Duration: 06:23
With Clouds Descending is a fantasy on the powerful Advent hymn Helmsley which is long associated with another Advent hymn - Wesley’s Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending. The hymn tune is divided into an introduction and three complete verses of Helmsley, which surround a slower central section, whose melody is derived from the last line of the hymn tune. Philip Sparke’s grade 4 arrangement of this majestic piece for Brass Band is equally suitable as a concert opener or a main concert piece.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Peter Graham
Click on MORE DETAILS to both listen to an audio extract and view part of the full score.
With Fire and Sword evokes memories of the music which accompanied the great action-adventure movie serials of the 1930's. Often set in some exotic location full of "eastern promise", the scene might involve the strong-jawed hero of the hour being chased through a sweltering market-place by a band of sword- yielding villains.
This scenario will be familiar to fans of the Indiana Jones series, Steven Spielberg's cinematic homage to these early serials. As Dr Stephen Arthur Allen has observed, "Would that all international relations could be this much fun!"
Extracts performed by the Brighouse and Rastrick Band, conductor David King. Full recording available on War of the Worlds - The Music of Peter Graham - available on this site.
Category: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer / arranger: James Curnow
The medieval Latin Christmas carol In Dulci Jubilo.
In 1328 the German monk Heirich Seuse, (Suso, c. 1295-1366) described how one night he had a vision in which he joined angels singing and dancing this carol. He does not suggest that the song was unknown to him, and this account follows others in which heavenly musicians perform known plainchant settings. In dulci /ubilo, generally connected with the text, Good Christian Men, Reloice, is believed to be the oldest of all German mixed-language (verses written in different languages) carols and perhaps one of the most arranged melodies in existence.
This arrangement by James Curnow features the settings of three composers over three contrasting centuries. The first setting is by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621, Renaissance German composer) from his Musae Sioniae. Johann Sebastian Bach’s (1685-1750, Baroque German composer) setting follows, probably from a lost cantata, and displays the ornate, flowing style of the Baroque period. Concluding the trilogy is a setting by Sir John Stainer (1840-1901, Romantic English composer), which first appeared in the collection, Christmas Carols New and Old (1871). This three-verse setting is a fascinating study in the harmonic, melodic and rhythmic styles of each composer. Each setting is a brief glimpse into their personality and compositional styles.
Note to the Conductor from James Curnow :
Though this arrangement is not technically difficult, one will soon discover how complex it is musically. Particularly at this stage of development, players will feel that the music is not challenging enough until they realize the importance of interpreting the musical phrase. All phrases, regardless of the setting, must be thought of in eight measure groupings. This may be accomplished by staggering the breath, throughout each instrument section, at each four measure (mid-point) phrase. It is never too early to teach musicality.
Dynamics are sparse and in most cases added by the arranger. However, if they are carefully observed they will certainly enhance the quality of the music. Be sure to teach the importance of the first beat (pulse) in each measure and try to avoid putting undue emphasis on the anacrusis at the beginning of each phrase.
If this entire arrangement is too long or too tiring, any one of the settings or any combination of settings may be used. Feel free to be creative. Mallet percussion and timpani parts have been added by the arranger, to aid in the educational process, and may be deleted.
To view 