New for Fanfare Band
AUTUMN OF LIFE
Inspired by the hymn tune Eventide, best known through the hymn Abide with Me, Autumn of Life is a warm and unhurried ballad in which a familiar melody takes on a subtle jazzy character. The music evokes a late autumn day, when the light softens and time seems, for a moment, to stand still. Within its warm harmonies, a touch of melancholy is woven together with a sense of peace, trust, and stillness. The title refers to the autumn of life: a season in which memories take on deeper meaning and the transience of existence is felt with gentle clarity. The sentiment that also resonates in Abide with Me - the longing for companionship and support as evening falls - finds here a personal musical expression. Autumn of Life is a musical meditation on time, memory, and acceptance, in which the warmth of the familiar meets the gentle melancholy of what is passing.
Available for Fanfare Band from November 1st
Now available
BUTTERFLIES ON GRAVE FLOWERS
While working on the larger concert piece Glory and Shadows of Time - inspired by Sandro Dall'Angolo’s beautiful Italian text ‘Gloria e ombre del tempo’ - I found myself searching for a moment of absolute stillness and reflection. Amidst all the grand dynamics and the 'shadows of time', I wanted to create an intimate, fragile sanctuary. That moment became Butterflies on Grave Flowers.
The idea for this movement came to me from the vivid imagery of a cemetery where, in the midst of deep grief, vibrant butterflies suddenly flutter down to rest on grave flowers. To me, this is one of the most layered and comforting images imaginable. In countless cultures, the butterfly symbolizes the human soul, transformation, and the transition into the afterlife. It serves as a gentle reminder that even in the darkest spaces of mourning and remembrance, there is always room for a glimmer of hope.
In the music, I have tried to make this fragile balance tangible. Melancholy, questioning melodic lines intentionally intertwine with warm, comforting harmonies. For the orchestra, the challenge does not lie in technical complexity, but in absolute tonal control and emotional expression. Every instrument, no matter how small the part, contributes to weaving this serene blanket of sound.
I hope this composition inspires you as a musician while shaping its colors, and carries you as a listener to that quiet place of memory. May it leave you with a sense of comfort and deep, serene peace.
Available for Concert Band - Fanfare Band - Brass Band
AMPED UP!
Amped Up! by Sijtze van der Hoek is pure musical adrenaline. Written as a true "band booster," this medium-level (Grade 3) original piece instantly connects the stage with the audience through infectious rhythms. In just three minutes, it charges the band with energy and keeps listeners on the edge of their seats - the ultimate high-energy opener or encore for your band!
Grade: 3
Duration: 3'15''
Available for:
Concert Band | Fanfare Band | Brass Band
