Paul Lovatt-Cooper: Donegal Bay Context Donegal Bay was the first work for brass band that Paul Lovatt-Cooper composed when he was just 18 years old. Written for a solo baritone and brass band, Donegal Bay has become a staple in many band rooms around the world. It is a homage Read more…
Thierry Deleruyelle: Fraternity Context Composed for the 2016 European Brass Band Competition, Thierry Deleruyelle’s work Fraternity is a staple in Championship repertoire. Fraternity was also used at the 2017 British Open competition, where the work was voted the ‘Test Piece of the Year’ for 2016 and 2017. The work is Read more…
Eric Ball: Resurgam Context Eric Walter John Ball was born in Gloucestershire in October 1903 and was the eldest of 16 siblings. He learned to play the piano and organ and by 1919 Ball started to work in the Salvation Army musical instrument department in London. Ball is known for Read more…
Paul Lovatt-Cooper: Vitae Aeternum Context Paul Lovatt-Cooper was born in Alderney, 1976. His parents were both Officers in the Salvation Army, so Lovatt-Cooper was quickly immersed in the family tradition of brass banding. Whilst at school, Lovatt-Cooper began learning the drums, and after he started proving his talents for percussion, was Read more…
Philip Sparke: Year of the Dragon Context Born and raised in London, Philip Sparke studied composition, trumpet, and piano at the Royal College of Music. Known as being one of the leading brass band and wind band composers, Sparke has won a notable amount of awards. Some of these include the Read more…
Eric Ball: Journey Into Freedom Context Composed to be used as the Championship test piece for band competing at the Royal Albert Hall in 1967, Eric Ball’s Journey Into Freedom is one of his most popular works. The work has endured the test of time, being used twice more for Read more…
Joseph Turrin: Hymn for Diana Context Composed during September 1997, Joseph Turrin’s melancholy brass band work Hymn for Diana was dedicated in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. After Diana’s shocking death at the end of August 1997, Turrin quickly got to work and within a week this work was Read more…
Edward Gregson: The Plantagenets Context Composed for the 1973 National Brass Band Championships, Edward Gregson’s The Plantagenets has stood the test of time in the banding world. Subtitled ‘A Symphonic Study for Brass Band’ The Plantagenets is still to this day one of Gregson’s most ambitious symphonic-inspired works. Unlike many Read more…
Gilbert Vinter: Symphony of Marches Context Gilbert Vinter (1909-1969) was most known for his work as a conductor and as a composer of brass band music. Vinter was a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral when he was a young boy. He later took up the bassoon. He conducted the BBC Concert Read more…
Peter Graham: Shine As The Light 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 works Read more…