After composing “Introduction” in 1989 and “Entrada” in 1990, Aagaard-Nilsen received a new commission for a “concert-opener”, this time from Tromsø Brass in 1991.
Tromsø is a city in the north of Norway, but despite the cold and snowy winters, the city is famous for it’s night-life.
In “Arctic Funk” you might get a feeling of a part that take place between ice-rocks and snow-wrapped mountains.
Written for Cornwall Youth Brass Band & Dedicated to Goff Richards
Behold the Power of God (2010) was written for and premiered by the Cornwall Youth Brass Band in dedication to their Musical Advisor at the time; the late Cornish composer Goff Richards who later described the work as 'a remarkable piece of writing'. The work's title, while implying a religious meaning, actually references Goff's name, with his full name Godfrey translating as 'God-peace' and Richards meaning 'Power'. Two energetic outer sections fall either side of a more lyrical middle section featuring the solo cornet. The perfect opening item at any concert.
The opening of the main theme from ‘The Big Country’ is as iconic as any western theme ever written. The flourish from the strings (or cornets in our case!) allow your band to show off with detailed playing that is sure to grab your audience’s attention from the word go. This title has never before been publicly available to brass bands until now and is sure to be a hit with bands and audiences.
‘O boundless salvation! deep ocean of love, O fullness of mercy, Christ brought from above….’
Taken from the timeless hymn ‘O Boundless Salvation’ by the founder of the Salvation army, William Booth, Boundless opens with a musical pyramid from low brass to top of the band soprano before taking us into the horn led melody.
As the piece continues we hear catchy patterns from low brass and percussion interweaving with fanfares from the rest of the band. After a change in pace and tempo we return to a bold finale to this work by Edward Mylechreest.
A warm full sounding composition making great use of dynamics and contrasts for upper and lower brass. A great concert opener.
Categories: NEW & RECENT Publications, OPENERS Composer: Daniel Hall
Colours in Rain, was commissioned by Tredegar Town Band as the opening item in their concert the night before they defended their British Open title.
For a fanfare, this composition starts unusually. Breaking away from the more conventional and traditional fanfare, Colours in Rain begins with the ‘Rain Motif’, a repetitive single bar that emulates the sound of rain. The lower band follow, introducing the fanfare theme and exploit a multitude of different colours and connotations, which are uncommon in fanfares.
After a calm section the music intensifies and the main theme is once again introduced. The theme is passed around the ensemble until the climax of the piece, where all instruments recapitulate each individual motif before the finale section. This harmony expresses a striking colour, with rapid rhythmic motion, and is where the ‘Colours in Rain’ title originates.
Excelsior was composed for the New Mills Band to mark the occasion of their 200th anniversary. It is a dramatic and emotive fanfare and theme based on the hymn tune 'Ransom'. The New Mills Old Prize Band is the inheritor of a proud tradition going back 200 years. Its origin lies in a brass and reed band formed in 1812 by Timothy Beard and it is one of the oldest brass bands in continuous existence in the UK. The New Mills Old Prize Band is inextricably linked to the Beard family. Timothy Beard the founder of the band, was one of five children and two of his brothers, John and Stephen, were to join him in the band.
Excelsior is based on the hymn tune ‘Ransom’ believed to have been composed in 1838 by Timothy’s brother Stephen Beard. Paul Lovatt-Cooper has taken this hymn tune and composed a concert fanfare utilising the main melodic material from the original hymn tune.
The title of the piece comes from the bands original motto “Excelsior!”
This lively Fanfare was composed in 1994 for the brass band of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Junior Department, which gave the first performance on 4 July 1994.
Brass Band Grade 3
Duration: 4 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):
Categories: OPENERS, NEW & RECENT Publications Composer: Egil Hovland Arranger: Ray Farr
Grade 5.0
Duration 7.17
This arrangement (or edition) for brass band will give the possibility for more performances of this fine work by Hovland. The composer, before his death, examined my work and made no suggestions for changes, and his approving comments were complimentary and encouraging.
The work was originally written for Concert Band in 1966 as Op. 54a to St. Olaf College Band in the US. It was transcribed in 1967 for symphony orchestra as Op. 54b by the composer himself.
This work by Swiss composer Oliver Waespi was one of the highlights at the 2006 Eidgenössische Musikfest in Lucerne. The piece opens with a festive fanfare featuring the brass section. The mood changes to a funk passage which develops and grows into a James Brown-like groove. It also includes an ad libitum drum solo. A slow blues lends a calmer feel and the piece culminates with striking interwoven fanfare and funk styles. This work is highly recommended for concert programmes but it can also make a spectacular, unconventional choice for a competition.
Categories: SUMMER 2020 SALE TITLES, OPENERS Composer: Richard Strauss Arranger: Howard Lorriman
AV 134/TrV 287
Please note that this is the standard length Fanfare ( but now that the the full length arrangement has been done - this version will be known as the "shorter version" )
Normallty £46.00 - only £39.95 in our SALE - limited stock.
Fanfare for the Best is a short composition inspired by best friends and memories of good times in pleasant company. I wrote this piece for the 50th birthday of my friend Otto M. Schwarz.
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