Band

In 2007, Philip Sparke received the exciting task of composing three new works for the historic Monmouth School, situated on the Welsh/English border, at which he was composer-in-residence. Almshouse Street Blues was conceived in a truly democratic way, with each member of the band choosing the kind of piece they wanted! The result reflects the summer festival that takes place in the town each year, where you can experience anything from folk music to jazz and even bangra. With Almshouse Street Blues, Philip Sparke has written a work that will fit perfectly in any festival program. Dur: 4:45

Christmas as celebrated in England is a relatively new tradition, dating from the time of Queen Victoria. Her husband Prince Albert was from Germany, and he brought many German Christmas traditions with him, including the Christmas tree and Christmas cards-even Christmas carols. Philip Sparke has however used a varied selection of English melodies to arrange into his Festival of Carols, which can be performed with an optional SATB choir. Includes: Sussex Carol In the Bleak Mid-Winter God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen Once in Royal David's City I Saw Three Ships O Come, All Ye Faithful. Dur: 9:35

The Camelot Chronicles is a series of contrasting musical tableaux, each describing the famous characters from the Arthurian legend. No one knows exactly where Camelot was situated (favorite choices are Tintagel and Glastonbury) but the story has passed into legend and is the subject of many poems and novels, each of which has clouded the truth and added to the mystery. Let Philip Sparke's music inspire your band with this magical tale. Dur: 8:20

Designed to open a Christmas or holiday concert, A Christmas Herald starts with a dynamic fanfare introducing a lyrical theme. This theme eventually turns into a descant to Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, which is subsequently introduced by trombones and euphonium. The famous carol tune then gradually transforms back into the fanfare, closing the work as it began. A perfect opener for any Christmas concert. Dur: 2:30

A Christmas March was written to provide the young band something up-beat with which to open or close a Christmas or holiday concert. The main theme of the march is original, but many short references to well-known Christmas tunes appear in obvious and not-so-obvious places. These include Adeste Fidelis, Deck the Halls, Good King Wenceslas and Jingle Bells. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen forms the march's trio section. A perfect piece for any Christmas concert. Dur: 2:00

A Festive Tribute is an arrangement of a splendid chorus that Bach first used in the secular Cantata 207 of 1726, but is perhaps better known in its later version from Cantata 207a, the descriptively titled Auf, schmetternde Tne der muntern Trompeten (Come, resounding tones of merry trumpets). Much of the music for this cantata is celebratory and lushly scored for a large orchestra including trumpets, oboes d'amore and flutes, making it an ideal piece for a concert band arrangement. Dur: 3:00

This well-known piano prelude by French impressionist Claude Debussy has, despite technical and harmonic simplicity, immense emotional depth. It is not known who the girl in the title was, but with this beautiful miniature your audience is sure to conjure up an image of the perfect maiden in their minds' eye. Indulge your band with this delightful arrangement. Dur: 2:30

This piece is about a medieval legend, The Treasure of Zolverknapp, which is associated with the region around the village Zolver in Luxembourg. It tells the tale of hidden treasure, brave knights, fierce battles, silver and jewels and a devil's curse! All of these combine to make The Legend of Celobrium a legendary concert work. Dur: 12:50

This arrangement presents three contrasting verses of the ancient hymn tune Let Us Rejoice! which in the English-speaking world is usually sung to the hymn All Creatures of our God and King. It is effective as a concert piece as well as an instrumental interlude during a church service, particularly at Easter or Pentecost. Dur: 3:00

A Monmouth Overture was composed in 2007 for the Haberdashers' Symphonic Winds as part of Philip Sparke's year as composer-in-residence at the Monmouth school. The work is based around the 15th century Agincourt Song, written in honor of the victorious Henry V who triumphed over the larger but outdated French army. Henry V was born in Monmouth in 1387, giving this wonderful overture its historical title. Bring a piece of history with a modern twist to your concert program. Dur: 4:30