NATIONAL FINALS 2026 - SET TEST PIECES

A Road Less Travelled By (Philip Sparke)

Anglo Music | 16 minutes

A Road Less Travelled By was commissioned by Palangos Orkestrasfor the Championship Section of the 2020 European Brass Band Championships held in Palanga, Lithuania.

The composer writes:

The title alludes to a poem by American author, Robert Frost, which appeared in his 1916 collection, Mountain Intervals. In common with most of my larger works, the piece is not programmatic, but purely abstract; there is no extra-musical story. The choice of title chimes with my view of how composers can often develop. There can be no ‘destination’ in a composer’s career, but rather a continuing journey to an unknown place. From piece to piece a composer needs to decide his or her next steps, never really knowing where they might lead. As Frost so eloquently describes, these sorts of instinctive decisions guide all our lives.

Beyond the Falls - The Smoke That Thunders (Andrew Wainwright)

Prima Vista Musikk | 12 minutes 

David Livingstone was a renowned Scottish missionary and explorer whose legendary expeditions from 1841 until his death in 1873 took him deep into the interior of central and southern Africa. While his initial aim was to spread Christianity and commerce, his legacy became defined by his relentless spirit of discovery.

This work captures the harrowing and ultimately triumphant journey that led to his discovery of Victoria Falls. Originally composed for the GUS Band’s performance at the 2012 Brass in Concert Championships, the work was expanded in 2026 for Black Dyke Band’s recording, Gothique Fantasy – The Music of Andrew Wainwright.

The music opens with an air of trepidation, reflecting the weight of the mission ahead. This tension soon gives way to a more optimistic section featuring the Scottish folk song A Man’s a Man for a’ That. Livingstone reportedly hummed this Rabbie Burns tune to bolster his spirits while traveling. The score then depicts the immense hardships of the expedition (Letters F to L), illustrating skirmishes with suspicious local tribes, wild animal attacks, and bouts of African fever.

Following these trials, a more reflective, emotive movement (Letters L to R) explores Livingstone’s internal struggle and his doubts about continuing. This emotional core is built upon the hymn Lord, Send Me Anywhere, a melody composed by Livingstone himself. Emerging from this prayer with renewed purpose, the final section (Letter R to the end) follows his path along the Zambezi River. The music builds to a triumphant climax, capturing his elation at seeing the magnificent Victoria Falls - known locally as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (The Smoke that Thunders).

Song of Courage (Eric Ball) - NEW Contest Edition

SP&S | 10 minutes 

Inspired by his own 1939 work "A Prayer for Courage" and written around the outbreak of war, the music reflects many moods. There is, to commence, joyfulness, and later some sense of fear and effort against great odds. The old chorus 'Stand like the brave' typifies the call to action in the face of danger, and 'A prayer for courage' - the central part of the composition - is a reminder of the true source of Christian fortitude.

Please contact SP&S directly to ensure the new contest edition is purchased.

Snow Island (Thierry Deleruyelle)

De Haske | 10 minutes 

The composer writes:

The Swiss canton of Valais is renowned for the qualify of its musicians and orchestras, such as wind bands and brass bands. It is home to a number of ensembles that regularly top the podium at Swiss and European competitions. For the general public, the Valais is above all a unique place, between the Rhône Glacier and Lake Geneva where life is good. The skiing is great in winter, particularly in Crans-Montana, which offers breathtaking 180-degree panoramic views. This tourist destination has developed since the late 19thcentury to become an internationally renowned “island of snow”.

The brass players of the five music associations of the villages of Crans-Montana were awarded the organisation of the 2024 cantonal festival, for which this work was commissioned. It depicts the dynamism of the resort through a lively first part based on a motif featuring a rhythm imbued with adventure and challenge. This is followed by a slower, more melodic section, a gentle, expressive theme highlighting the talent of the band’s soloists. The piece ends with a short and brilliant coda.

This work was commissioned by the Cantonal Associations of Valais, Bern, Jura, Geneva, Solothurn and Innerschweiz, and was chosen as the compulsory piece in the second category of the 2024 cantonal celebrations.

Heroes of the North (Peter Graham)

Gramercy Music | 10 minutes 

Heroes of the North was commissioned by Henning Annundsen for Skodvin Skulemusikk and pays tribute to the development of brass band activity in the Nordhordland region of Norway.

The music is a set of character variations based upon personalities long associated with both the band and the region. The opening 5 note motif (C D E F G) might be considered the starting point for beginner brass students, and this mini-theme is developed throughout the work.

Five variations follow: 

- Mr Brevik's Galop (representing Tom Brevik, a key figure in Norwegian brass band music)

- Frode's Dance (with apologies to Edvard Grieg), portraying soprano cornet player Frode Rydland, one of Skodvin Skulemusikk's most famous “old boys”

- Mr Bjørge's Walk representing Viggo Bjørge, “Mr Eikanger Bjørsvik Band”

- Hymn for Knut-Harald, known as “Mr Skodvin Skulemusikk” having over many years played a central role in the teaching and training of the band

- Maestro Snell's Russian Adventure features music with more than a hint of Russian (Khachaturian to be precise) and calls to mind Howard Snell whose arrangements and presence have made such a huge contribution to Norwegian Brass Banding over many years.