Following its premiere performance at the recent Bolsover International Summer School, the specially commissioned march composition, 'Bolsover Castle', is now available for bands to purchase from Pennine Music.

The funds raised from sales will go towards a new bursary fund being set up by the Summer School.

Valued member

Composed by Gavin Somerset, the march was commissioned by Summer School organiser Carole Hirst in memory of David Morris, who was a valued member of the Bolsover International Brass Band Summer School and Bolsover Festival of Brass team.

David sadly passed away suddenly in October 2017 and has been greatly missed.

All bands

The march is aimed to be well within the reach of the majority of bands, with Gavin telling 4BR: "It was an honour to be asked to compose 'Bolsover Castle' in memory of David, who I've known since I was young and played with him at Chapeltown Silver Band.

I wanted to create a march that was traditional in its roots, enjoyable and melodic, whilst paying tribute to one of David's favourite pieces — ELO's, 'Mr. Blue Sky', which you can hear influences of.

I'm thrilled that it will aid the launch of a new bursary fund being set up by the Summer School in his memory."

Fun and fresh

Meanwhile, Summer School Musical Director Steven Mead added: "'Bolsover Castle' is a really super march — traditional in structure, but so much fun and fresh to play. It's brisk and has a 6/8 swagger and I hope that lots of bands will perform it. It will be a great addition to their concert repertoire.

We were honoured to premiere it at the Bolsover International Summer School this year."

Gavin's generous gesture will be a great legacy to Dave who was a founder member and key member of the BIBBSS and Bolsover Festival of Brass teamCarol Hirst — Bolsover International Summer School

Signature tune

Explaining about the bursary fund being created, Carole Hirst added: "The delegates have been thrilled with the commission which will be used for future courses as our signature tune.

The delegates also came up with the idea to ask Gavin if he would make a donation from each set of music sold which would go into a 'Dave Morris Bursary Fund' to aid young people that need financial support to attend the summer school.

Gavin's generous gesture will be a great legacy to Dave who was a founder member and key member of the BIBBSS and Bolsover Festival of Brass team."

To purchase

The march is now available to purchase from: www.penninemusic.com