Philip Sparke

Acclaimed Canadian composer/arranger Robert Farnon penned this distinctive march theme for the 1970s BBC television drama Colditz telling the story of prisoners held at Colditz Castle in Germany durin...

Lively and upbeat in nature, The Centurion follows the conventional British march format. It is not technically demanding yet a successful performance will need skill and commitment from every player...

Navigation Inn was originally written for brass band to celebrate one of the most famous events of the brass band calendar - the Whit Friday marches. The Navigation Inn is a pub which is a popular mee...

This collection provides a practical edition that can be used for marching as well as in the concert hall for 15 Sousa classics: The Beau Ideal > The Black Horse Troop > El Capitan > The Fairest of th...

Beethoven's York'scher Marsch is one of a collection of three tattoos (WoO 18-20) and has had a chequered history, to say the least. There are several autograph copies for different instrumentations,...

This piece was inspired by the composer watching his young son, Benny, playing 'soldiers' with his collection of teddy bears - how appropriate! But it made him think of the many character pieces which...

What a way to open any concert. The Black Horse Troopis one of John Philip Sousa?s best known marches and was described by the great Frederick Fennell as ?a regimental march of classic content and pro...

This march from Philip Sparke is in the tradition of the English ceremonial or concert march, such as the masterpieces written by Sir Edward Elgar and Sir William Walton. It attempts to continue this...

Philip Sparke wrote this march for the famous brass band contest held ever year on Whit Friday in Oldham and Saddleworth. Given the competition's long history (over 120 years), he consciously composed...

Sandstone Centennial wurde von der Frodsham Silver Band aus dem Nordwesten Englands in Auftrag gegeben, zur Hundertjahrfeier dieses Blasorchesters im Jahre 2007. Dieser Marsch wurde im traditionellen...

A Christmas March was written to provide the young band something up-beat with which to open or close a Christmas or holiday concert. The main theme of the march is original, but many short references...

Philip Sparke selected two well-known marches from the region around Southern Belgium and Luxembourg as the basis for his March Celebration: after we hear an original march theme and second theme in t...

Raid on the Medway was written in standard march form for the Royal Netherlands Marine Band, by its conductor Peter Kleine Schaars. The traditional trio is followed by a solo by the famous pipes and d...

Wind Sketches is a top quality concert work for wind band in three movements, inspired by the relationship between man and wind. Trade Winds, in the form of a march, is reminiscent of a shanty, conjur...

Salute to the Victor is in traditional march form and contains, as a tribute to Victor Grieve who was a devotee of English music (in particular that of Sir Edward Elgar), a short quote from Elgar's Se...

March Prelude: Alnwick Town was commissioned by the Alnwick Playhouse Concert Band (with Ray Thompson as conductor) to celebrate their first 25 years. It opens majestically with answering phrases betw...

Salutation was commissioned by Japanese conductor and broadcaster, Yutaka Nishida, a dear friend of the composer Philip Sparke. Salutation follows fairly conventional march form. A short fanfare intro...

Step by Step was commissioned by the Sony Concert Band to celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2018. Step by Step is an up-tempo concert march. The title was chosen as it has obvious associations with...

Salute to the Victor is in traditional march form and contains, as a tribute to Victor Grieve who was a devotee of English music (in particular that of Sir Edward Elgar), a short quote from Elgar's Se...

Philip Sparke wrote Heritage as a grand concert march in the tradition of Elgar and Walton. After a brief introduction, the march's long main theme is presented: first in subdued tones, then taken up...

Philip Sparke wrote Heritage as a grand concert march in the tradition of Elgar and Walton. After a brief introduction, the march's long main theme is presented: first in subdued tones, then taken up...

Philip Sparke's Starter Studies is the first volume of a progressive series of study books that takes the young wind player from beginner to accomplished musician. This collection of 65 studies offers...

Following on from Starter Studies, this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument, Skilful Studies introduces th...

Super Studies brings this series to a close with 26 more advanced studies which introduce such things as double and triple tonguing, lip flexibility, breath control and finger strength. By the time yo...

This series aims to present the significant concert band works of Philip Sparke in a format that enables any player to study their music whether or not they get the chance to play these pieces with th...