#26 Suggested Repertoire from Around the World for Developing Bands

This 26th installment of suggested repertoire is proposed by Mark Heron a WASBE board member. He is Professor and Head of Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he directs the RNCM Wind Orchestra as well as the other orchestras and ensembles at the College. He regularly conducts the UK's professional orchestras, with a particularly close relationship with the BBC Philharmonic, and freelances widely across a very diverse range of repertoire. He is regularly invited to teach at masterclasses around the world, and is regarded as one of the leading conducting pedagogues.

Grade 2.5

Wolf Tears (2017) – 9’ – Purchase at Nelson Jesus

Nelson Jesus (Portugal, 1986)

Premiered by Douane Harmonie Nederland

conducted by Björn Bus in Utrecht on 11 July 2017

I love Nelson’s music, much of which takes its inspiration from the culture of his homeland, and in particular his background as a saxophonist. There’s often an irreverent joke hidden somewhere in the music – this very much reflects the composers character! Wolf Tears was written for the first Wasbe Composition Contest in 2017, winning 1st prize in the Education category. Quite an extended work at this level, it’s starting point is the motet Audivi Vocem Caelo by the Portuguese composer Duarte Lobo (c.1565-1624). The title Wolf Tears derives from the English translation of the name of the aforementioned composer (Lobo - Wolf). I admire composers who are brave enough not to have everyone playing all the time, and everything doubled, in music written for less experienced players, and Nelson has created a work with real dramatic tension which young bands will learn a lot from performing.

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Grade 3.5

Blackwater (2005) – 7’ – Purchase at Maecenas

Fergal Carroll (Ireland,1969)

Premiered by Ithaca College Wind Ensemble

conducted by Timothy Reynish in Ithaca on 03 March 2006

Fergal Carroll studied composition at the Royal Northern College of Music with Adam Gorb and since 2005 has been a Director of Music in the Irish Defence Forces. He writes superbly for young bands, often drawing on folk themes or taking inspiration from the landscapes and literature of Ireland, and then developing the material with a particular focus on rhythmic energy and colourful scoring. Blackwater is a short tone poem, inspired by the River Blackwater, and opens with an old Irish tune, Cape Clear, which is then developed in a fast B section in 5/4.

Grade 4

Trad Session (2023) – 10’ – Purchase at Maecenas

William Chester (Ireland, 1996)

Premiered by Derby County Youth Wind Band

conducted by Mark Heron in Derby on 01 November 2023

Willie Chester followed a very similar path to Fergal Carroll some 20 years later. Composition studies at the RNCM with Adam Gorb, graduating in 2023, and becoming a Director of Music with the Irish military. Trad Session is his first major work for band and was premiered in 2023 by the Derbyshire County Youth Band. The first movement The Lad with the Trousers On is full of dense harmonies – recreating the auditory chaos that one can experience at a traditional music session in Ireland, and is reminiscent of Kurtág almost. The second, Si Beag Mor (and no, I didn’t pronounce that accurately at the premiere) is misty and mysterious, referencing several traditional Irish tunes. The finale, Farewell to Ireland, quotes Grainger’s Molly on the Shore as well as a Scottish tune. Hugely effective as a complete work, the movements can be played separately and the finale would make a great encore.

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Grade 4.5

States of Matter (2019) – 18’ – Purchase at Jenni Watson

Jenni Watson (United Kingdom, 1985)

Premiered by University of Minnesota Morris Symphonic Winds

conducted by Simon Tillier in University of Minnesota Morris on 18 May 2019

Jenni Watson is a composer and multi-instrumentalist with a flourishing career as a performer, recording artist, and composer in many different genres. States of Matter was commissioned by the University of Minnesota Morris and is a work about the effect of man on the Earth’s ecosystems. The style is accessible, and the 3 movements (The Great Acceleration; Icemelt; 2 Degrees) can be performed separately.

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Grade 5

March (2021) – 9’ – Purchase at Jennifer Jolley

Jennifer Jolley (United Kingdom, 1981)

Premiered by World Youth Wind Symphony

conducted by Steven Davis in Interlochen on 07 August 2021

I am a big fan of Jennifer’s work, and it was a hard choice as which piece to include here. Having recently done March, I was struck by the impact it had on the young musicians that performed it. It begins with something reminiscent of those tub-thumping marches that Prokofiev and Shostakovich wrote (or maybe were “encouraged” to write), but this is quickly deconstructed into a melee of thundering side drums, audio recorded from the Korean demilitarized zone, poignant saxophone chorales, and more. The piece ends with the musicians singing whilst departing the stage one by one. I highly recommend you explore this one, and read the composer’s note to learn more about what is behind the piece.

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