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2011 4BR Awards — 4BR Special Award - Philip Sparke

In 2011 the 4BR Special Award goes to a musician who has provided the brass band movement with a treasure trove of quite brilliant compositions.

SparkeIt would be difficult think what the brass band world would have been like if Philip Sparke had decided that his compositional talents lay elsewhere.

Thankfully, he didn’t – although he has been just as successful when he has written for all sorts of other musical mediums.

Great works

He has given us a host of truly great major works – and many more just as memorable ‘minor’ ones too – from youth band level to the superstars of world of brass, and his unique ability to be able to write in any style or genre without ever losing his personal stamp of authenticity is remarkable.

His website lists around 200 original compositions and arrangements from brass – from solos and duets to concert repertoire and major test pieces.  It is hard to think of a composer whose work has been performed and enjoyed so much anywhere in the banding world.

Ask any brass band performers to list their favourite concert or contest works and the name of Philip Sparke appears time and time again. 

Outstanding

As a result he has notched up more awards in recognition of his excellence than even Sir Alex Ferguson along the way – all of which have been graciously accepted, whilst he is also an outstanding adjudicator, free minded thinker and opinion maker.

He has done more than any other composer to enhance the quality of contest repertoire than any other in the movement’s history – challenging musical and technical expectations with an unerring ability to push the boundaries for performers with tantalising, realistic ambitions.   

All that, and the audiences the bands perform too are not left feeling isolated or unengaged by the technical prowess that is displayed in the musical process.

For that alone we should remain forever in his debt.



Regent Hall Concerts - Royal College of Music Sackbut Ensemble

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Welsh Guards

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: North West Regional Championships

Sunday 23 February • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU


Newstead Brass - Midlands Championships Preview Evening

Sunday 23 February • Summit Centre . Kirkby in Ashfield . Nottinghamshire NG17 7LL


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 28 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Linthwaite Band

February 10 • Linthwaite are a friendly 4th section band looking forward to the Yorkshire area contest in March, following on from that we will have a vacancy for a 2nd cornet. We also have various contests and engagements coming up through the year to keep us busy.


Chinnor Silver

February 7 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meets on a Monday morning and we welcome any players who would like an extra blow.. players of all abilities welcome and we do not expect you to alter your allegiance to your band.. just a fun blow with cake and coffee.


wantage silver band

February 5 • Wantage Band (championship section) has a vacancy for TOP 2ND CORNET. This would suit a player with experience in a championship/first section band. Rehearsals take place every Sun 7:30pm and Wed 8pm in Wantage with highly experienced MD Chris King.


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

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