The dark and dramatic theme from the popular HBO series Game of Thrones is one of the most distinctive and effective themes for TV or film to come along in several years. Arranged in a powerful setting for brass band, this is sure to be a hit with your musicians.

‘Panem et Circenses’ Bread and Games were essential for keeping the citizens of ancient Rome in check. While the bread was meant for the poorest among the Romans the Games were Popular Pastime Number One for everybody.There were different kinds of games such as chariot races (especially popular with female spectators) or wild-beast fights where lions tigers bulls or bears were set on one another or even on human beings. Most popular however were the Gladiator fights. In ‘Bread and Games’ William Vean depicts one of the many fights in the antique Colosseum. 1. Entrance of the Gladiators: By powerful bugle-calls the attention of the peoplewas asked for after which the Gladiators entered the Arena at the sound of heroic marching-music.2.Swordfight: We can hear that the fights were not mere child’s play in this part.On the contrary they were a matter of life and death and were fought accordingly.3.Mercy of the Emperor: Sometimes a wounded gladiator could be fortunate depending on the mercy of the audience. Waving one’s handkerchief meant mercy a turned-down thumb meant no pardon. The Emperor had the right to take the final decision but he usually complied with the wish of the majority of the public. 4.Lap of Honour: Gladiators were mainly selected among slaves convicted criminals or prisoners of war. Consequently winning was very important as it would mean fame honour and sometimes even wealth. A lap of honour therefore was the winner’s due reward.

A collection of 5 short works in pop style which can be performed by any kind of compilation. The titles can be presented on the programme as separate works but the Universal Band Collection can also be performed as a complete suite. From a didactic point of view it is a suitable work to teach musicians something about the structure in music. For this purpose not only the big structure but also the small structure was kept very clear.Western Girl : A girl from the west of the USA rides her horse across the prairie dreaming of her future. The rough structure: introduction - theme in a blues scale - the same thing in a different instrumentation - finale.Just a ballad : A balladin pop style with a rough A-B-A form. First there is the introduction of the main theme (A) then follows a tenor melody in minor with a rhythmical reference to the main theme (B). Finally there is the main melody performed tutti with a different rhythm in the drums (A').Play the Game : An English saying meaning: play fairly. Playful music in up-tempo with a wink to China where almost all games are manufactured nowadays. Once again an A-B-A structure here.San Diego : A Mexican fugitive enjoys his freedom in America but also remembers his place of birth with melancholy. A sad minor melody with a straight trendy beat appears twice. The second time it has a slightly different instrumentation in which the muted trumpets represent the Mexican feeling.Final Dance : Eventually there is a dance with an introduction in renaissance style followed by a fast dance in rock style. All this composed in a classical song structure: introduction verse bridge chorus shortened verse bridge chorus chorus.

The work set as the test-piece for the 2005 European Brass Band Championships was inspired by a theme from the second movement of Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No.1 (Andante Cantabile). It consists of a number of musical metamorphoses on the theme and includes several excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Fourth and Sixth Symphonies and Romeo and Juliet. The most unconventional element of the work is instrumentation for ten tuned bottles to be played by members of the Cornet section. This gives the piece an Indonesian Gamelan effect. Why not give your players something to get their teeth into with this impressive major new work.

Written for the 100th Anniversary Celebration of-John Williams has written ceremonial music for many major events and ceremonies but of all these occasional pieces Summon the Heroes is the most elaborate and musically complex. It was composed for the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 and performed at the opening ceremony. As with all of John Williams’ ceremonial compositions this work makes an ideal Brass Band work that will bring the house down as a concert opener.

In ‘A Summer Holiday’ Patrick Millstone takes us with him on a journey. After a year’s hard work we may finally enjoy a well-earned holiday. The first part of this three-part composition has the appropriate title ‘On Tour’. When we chose our holiday destination the brochure said that it would be bathed in sunlight every day. Unfortunately this turns out not to be the case. Somewhat melancholically we play round games in our summer house on a ‘Rainy Day’. However the next day when the sun again has driven away all the clouds we naturally visit the ‘Crowded Beach’ where we enjoy both sun sea and beach once again.

In this composition the composer gives an impression of the village square where all the young people gather. In four movements he takes us along to his home town: 1. Folkdance - Moments of happiness freedom from worries and optimism 2. Sunday Afternoon - a musical picture of a quiet day 3. Hide 'n Seek - time for sports and games 4. Saturday Night Fever - the sounds of a Saturday can also be heard on the square