.
- Program Opener:
One of my very favorites is John Rutter’s Cityscapes (originally named Partita). And either the 1st or 3rd mvmts. I believe would be ideal as a program opener:
1st mvmt. – Big Apple – 7:14
3rd mvmt. – Flower of Cities All – 7:27
Prelude and Fugue (The Spitfire) – 7:37
- Soloists:
If you have soloists you would like to feature, here are some suggestions:
Divertissement – 9:32 – Philip Lane for solo oboe or clarinet, or a dialogue between the two, 4 movements.
Three Spanish Dances – 9:00 –Philip Lane, for solo clarinet (or oboe) and band
Esta Noche 2:01 – John Rutter, for solo trumpet
Steal Away – 4:17 – from Feel the Spirit by John Rutter for soprano or alto singer with band,
or Deep River – 5:00 – from Feel the Spirit by John Rutter for soprano or alto singer with band
Suite Antique 4. Waltz – 3:29 – John Rutter for solo flute and band (There are 6 mvmts., all flute solo, but this seems to be the most popular mvmt.)
- Marches
March for “A History of the English-Speaking Peoples” – 4:56 – William Walton
The Crown of India March – 4:18 – Edward Elgar
When the Saints Go Marching In – 4:08 – from Feel the Spirit, by John Rutter
Entry March of the Boyars – 4:45 – by Johan Halvorsen
The-New Spirit of ‘76 – 2:15 – Katheryn McCall Noblitt
- Comedy:
The Barber of Seville Goes to the Devil – 4:12 – Gordon Jacob. Anyone who knows The Barber of Seville will get a kick out of this. It is very cleverly done and the band should have fun playing this piece.
- Slow with depth:
Distant Land – 6:20 – John Rutter
Home is a Special Kind of Feeling – 3:14 – John Rutter, (a good piece for set drummer)
Prelude: 49th Parallel – 3:19 – Ralph Vaughan Williams
- Religious Titles:
Give the king thy judgments, O God – 7:09 – John Rutter: A unique feature is the Orlando Gibbons hymn-tune that I have written (optionally) for the band to sing, which begins at 4:21 in the audio track. The rest of the arrangement can be performed by band alone – or if you have a chorus available, that works too! (Don’t let the audio track fool you – it is also scored for band alone!)
Gloria Patri, from the Magnificat – 5:22 – John Rutter
Nun Danket Alle Gott – Karg-Elert – 3:50 – This is quite a famous piece that should be recognizable by your audience.
Chorale Prelude and Fugue – 6:41 – J. S. Bach. An all-time favorite Bach composition, with heightened interest and dramatic versatility offered by the band.
- Pieces with a Feature:
Amsterdam Suite, 1. Barrel Organs – 6:23 – Matthew Curtis. A strong outdoor piece by one of the craftiest composers I have experienced.
Cariad-7:36 – Gareth Glyn. This is a delightful medley of six children’s folk songs of Wales based on the theme of ‘love’. It also offers an opportunity for set drummer and optional electric bass.
Macbeth– 6:03- William Walton. Film music that will give your trumpets an opportunity for fanfares galore!
Three Sisters – 3:34 – William Walton. British film music, featuring themes from the 1812 Overture and the Swan Lake waltz.
Holiday Mood – 4:24 – Matthew Curtis. The unique feature is the 6/8 – 2/4 bars throughout, creating an exciting drive as suggested by the title.