Stephen Bulla: Images for Brass Context Stephen Bulla grew up in a musical family, with his father playing tuba, and his mother playing piano. Bulla took up music too, and he ended up studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he passed with distinction. At Berklee, Read more…
Malcolm Arnold: Fantasy for Brass Band Context Composed between 1973-74 for England’s 1974 National Brass Band Championships, Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy for Brass Band proved to be a hit with bands across the nation. The Cory Band, then conducted by Major H. A. Kenney, are said to be the band that Read more…
Philip Sparke: The Land of the Long White Cloud Context Born in 1951 in London, Philip Sparke studied composition, trumpet and piano performance at the Royal College of Music. Due to his affiliation with brass, Sparke is known for his many popular works for both brass bands and wind orchestras. Read more…
John McCabe: Salamander Context Composed for a commission by Michael Webber for the English Heritage to celebrate their 10th birthday of the Historical Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, Salamander was premiered in June 1994. Grimethorpe Colliery and David Urquhart Yorkshire Imperial Bands, conducted by Geoffrey Brand, united at Kenwood Read more…
Arthur Bliss: The Belmont Variations Context Named after the town in Massachusetts where Arthur Bliss’s wife was born, The Belmont Variations was composed for the Brass Band National Finals in 1963. The piece premiered on the Royal Albert Hall stage, with CWS Manchester band winning top prize. Arranged by Frank Read more…
Robert Redhead: Quintessence Context Robert Redhead composed Quintessence in 1978 for the Melbourne Staff Band’s tour of the UK in the same year. The piece was intended not just for concert performance, but to also be used at the band’s participation in The Salvation Army International Congress in London. The Read more…
James Curnow: Trittico for Brass Band Context Commissioned in 1988 by the Swiss Brass Band Association, James Curnow’s Trittico for Brass Band was first performed at the Swiss National Championships of the same year. This Championship-level test piece has been used around the world for various contests including the Grand Read more…
Joseph Horovitz: Ballet for Band Context Joseph Horovitz was commissioned to compose the Championship Section test piece for the National Finals in 1983, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall, London. He composed Ballet for Band, which was conquered by Cory Band that year. More recently, Ballet for Band Read more…
Peter Meechan: The Legend of King Arthur Context Commissioned by brass band Bürgermusik Luzern in 2010, Peter Meechan’s The Legend of King Arthur is one of his most adventurous works. Meechan was inspired by the endless tales of King Arthur, from the pulling of the sword from the stone, to Read more…
Peter Graham: On the Shoulders of Giants Context Peter Graham was born in Scotland in 1958. He is most known for his works for brass and wind bands. He studied under the tutelage of Edward Gregson, where he completed a PhD in composition from Goldsmiths College, London. Many of Graham’s Read more…