The Kapitol Promotions’ Music Panel is delighted to announce the Test
Pieces for the 2009 Regional Contests of the National Brass Band
Championships of Great Britain.
Once again the Panel has opted for works which are musical, demanding
tests and particularly lyrical in content. We are particularly pleased
this year to have music from four out of five composers whose works
have not featured in the championships before.
Championship Section:
Salute to Youth, Gilbert Vinter published by Studio Music Co. (J.
Weinberger).
2009 is the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Vinter and the 40th
Anniversary of his death and so we felt that the selection of the
brilliant Salute to Youth would be a fitting testimony to the memory of
this giant of musical composition for brass.
First Section:
Pentacle by Graham Cole Faber Music Ltd.
A composer new to the scene, this original composition is built around
the image of an upright five pointed star, the five points representing
each of Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Quintessence. The music is modern
and originally conceived as a test piece, but developed in the composer’
s own stylistic way. Many uses of the figure 5 are used throughout this
demanding but lyrical and listenable work.
Second Section:
New World Sketches, Daniel Price Kirklees Music
This is the first time that a work from the pen of this young composer
has been chosen for the National Championships. Daniel has been a
finalist on two occasions in the Salford University/Kirklees Music
Annual Composers’ competition. A rhythmic, modern work describing a
journey through America in the early twentieth century, with some
excellent solo sections and good audience appeal.
Third Section:
The Once and Future King, Andrew Baker Jagrins Music Publications.
Andrew Baker is a young and prolific composer , a graduate of
Nottingham University, he has worked in professional orchestra
administration as well as having many of his own compositions performed
. This work was used in the Swiss Open Championships of 2007. The
work is a suite of three movements, each depicting an Arthurian legend
from the early 6th Century – Tintagel, Lyonesse and the spirited Badon
Hill.
The title is taken from King Arthur’s supposed dying words and
gravestone inscription: “Bury me in Britain, for I am the Once and
Future King”
Fourth Section:
The Talisman for Brass Band, Frank Hughes MMI Music
A three movement suite: Prelude, a short Nocturne and a lively and
rhythmical Scherzo. The music is detailed and demanding throughout the
band parts and should provide a challenging and popular choice for
Fourth Section bands to rehearse and perform. This again is the first
time that a work from this composer, a native of the North West of
England, has been selected for the championships.
We hope that each of these test pieces will provide interesting and
popular tests for bands and be enjoyable for
audiences
