Description

Many of us start rehearsals with the old faithful hymn books, a good early stretching exercise for chops and ears! Here are fifteen pieces with which to end rehearsals, fifteen lively and catchy little numbers to end the night on. Titles include ‘The Ghouls’ Ball’, ‘Cops and Robbers’, ‘Blues 4 Bart’ and ‘The Gerbils’. All are about a minute long, a simple blow to send you on your way!

BOOK ONE.
1. Kijé Fell Off.
This is blatantly a take on the ‘Troika’ movement from Prokofiev’s ‘Lieutenant Kijé’, but the title comes from the occasional skids and bumps of my version.
2. Summer Fair.
A simple, jolly tune in 7/8 that seemed to suggest what it says.
3. The Ghoul’s Ball.
A macabre waltz.
4. Blues 4 Bart.
The original title ends (‘in B’) as the key is dictated by the fact that it only works, as a trombone section feature, in that key. Towards the end of the tune there is a reference to the famous Simpsons theme.
5. Tarantella.
A fast runaround.

BOOK TWO.
1. War Film.
Another title suggested purely by the tune. Gung-ho, full of heroism in the face of danger, this is a parody of all the old war film themes genre.
2. Holland Park.
A very simple, swung tune, light and catchy, that simply came to me as I left Holland Park after a show one night.
3. The Mice at Night.
A bit of a story I suppose. The mice creep out, unsure if it’s safe. As soon as it is, a grand ball breaks out, and the mice swoop around, having a great time but with occasional pauses of hesitancy. They grow in confidence until it all collapses, perhaps they knock something over. Another peep round the corner, then a final flourish.
4. Shopping.
Different sections of the band seem to answer each other, as if suggestions and comments are being made, the back and forth of shopping.
5. Cops and Robbers.
This is old Hollywood comedy, with the possible addition of a police siren if anyone has one!

BOOK THREE.
1. The Gerbils.
As if on a spinning wheel, they scurry round and round frantically.
2. Balkan Dances.
Interesting time signatures and moods of east European-style rustic tunes. Proud, celebratory, a gruff stomp, some syncopation and a flourish.
3. Shadows at Night.
Furtive in style, gangs creeping round corners in the dark.
4. 70s Cop Show.
Bravura style, set in a US cop shop, dramatic and over-atmospheric!
5. Jurassic Parp.
Obviously a tribute to John Williams, with the feel of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Superman, Jurassic Park and Harry Potter, triumphant stuff! Thanks to Facebook for the title.