The motivation for composing this test piece for the Concert Division Brassband of the 2001 WMC was Rob Goorhuis's deep respect for one of the greatest Dutch composers of the 20-th century who also enlarged the wind band repertoire in a most valuable way. Goorhuis wanted to light up the 'soft and kind' side of the brassband and wrote about this composition : 'The basis is a theme of twelve tones wich Badings once played at an International Organ Improvisation Contest in Haarlem.My organ teacher participated in that contest and so the theme remained somehow in the back of my mind.' The composer worked out a series of variations and clustered them into bundles ofthree and so the melody kept its diversity while remaining easy to recognise.

This seamless medley of the most popular overture themes from the Classical and Romantic periods---a veritable music history listening lesson---will be a sure-fire hit on any concert program. Scored in D-major throughout, the grade 3 arrangement by Douglas E. Wagner presents many teachable moments with style, balance, dynamic control, articulation, and interpretation. In order of appearance, the themes included are: '1812 Festival Overture' (Largo) by Tchaikovsky - Overture to Zampa by Herold - Overture to The Barber of Seville by Rossini - Overture to The Magic Flute by Mozart - Overture to The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart - Overture to Poet and Peasant by von Suppé - Overture to The Merry Wives of Windsor by Nicolai - Overture to William Tell by Rossini - Overture to Die Meistersinger by Wagner - Overture to Light Cavalry by von Suppé - Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach - 'Academic Festival Overture,' by Brahms - and '1812 Festival Overture' (Allegro vivace) by Tchaikovsky. (3:30) / Orchestre A Cordes

Composed in 1963 and initially recorded by Andy Williams this holiday favorite has remained popular through the years and has been recorded by countless artists. Treated here in a light jazz waltz style this arrangement for young players will add a nice festive touch to any winter concert.

From Disney's animated hit movie Frozen and sung by Olaf the snowman, this entertaining song features a light ?soft shoe? style that adapts quite naturally for jazz ensemble. With skillful trading of the melody and slipping into a straight ahead swing style, this is sure to be hit at your next concert.

From the rich treasury of orchestral ballet music comes this delightful light program piece by Leo Delibes. The familiar waltz from the sentimental comic ballet remains a favorite on concert stages around the world.

The heat of South America radiates from this delightful cha cha which incorporates the exotic sound of Latin-American percussion instruments. This light and sparkling work will be the hit at your next concert!

The classic tune Li'l Liza Jane is given a western treatment by veteran composer Stephen Bulla. The opening hoedown sets the mood for this light concert piece which includes a brief violin solo. Easy to put together and sure to delight your audience.

Torsion was commissioned by the Leyland Band and first performed on 23 January 2010 at the Royal Northern College of Music Festival of Brass Manchester by Leyland Band conducted by Jason Katsikaris.This colourful and dynamic work is the most personal and ambitious that Simon Dobson composed during his residency with the Lancashire brass band. The dictionary defines torsion as the state of being twisted and the composer interprets this as the imagined dis-torsions and con-torsions of Time Light and Sound in three contrasting movements. Simon Dobson fuses the traditional brass band sound with drive and energy of pop and funk jazz with optional digitally distorted'echoes' providing added aural confusion at the points of climax.Although composed as a substantial concert work Torsion would also make a challenging test-piece for contesting brass bands in the elite divisions.

A tranquil setting of the song O Little Town of Bethlehem interspersed with references to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

There are few sights as breathtaking as a clear summer morning sunrise. This piece paints a picture of those splendid moments. From the quiet pre-dawn stillness through the gradual stirring of creatures of the air land and water all those elements culminate in a triumphant chorus of nature's glory as another day begins.

Even though the ranges and rhythms are quite modest in this beautiful lyric piece for young bands there is a wealth of musicality to be learned and enjoyed. Delicate and sensitive in the beginning there is a logical ebb and flowto the music as itbuilds to a full ensemble climax then back to the quieter texture and harmonic shift at the end. A rewarding setting for your young players. Dur: 3:40