Sounds of the 'Granite City'

You can now listen to Granite City Brass using our new feature below. Tracks 1 - 17 are soundbites taken from our CD 'The Pioneers' which the band recorded in the spring of 2000 to celebrate the band's 150 year anniversary and was conducted by Alan Haggart & Edward Paley. Tracks 18 - 26 were recorded live in a joint concert at the Salvation army Citadel in June 2010, conducted by Alan Haggart Tracks 27 - 42 were recorded live in a Concert given by Granite City in Stonehaven Town Hall in Sept 2003 under the baton of David James.

For more details about the music see below;

1.  The Pioneers, a bright opening number written by James Anderson who at the time of writing was Music Advisor to Aberdeen Schools and in this piece has borrowed the melodies 'When the Saints go Marching In' and the Salvationists song 'I have decided to follow Jesus'.

2.  Country Scene, An atmospheric original work from the pen of composer Goff Richards. The changing moods bring a variety to the pastoral theme and offers a chance to shine for the principal cornet and euphonium, in this case performed by brothers Michael & Kenneth Chapman.

3.  Gaudate, Arranged by Rodney Newton this medieval melody made popular in the 1970's by folk group Steeleye Span creates a thrilling fanfare with plenty of percussive effects and a driving ending.

4.  The Lark in the Clear Air, Tenor Horn soloist Steve Fraser produces an beautiful sound and lyrical performance of this lovely song arranged by Gordon Langford.

5.  Alloway Tales, Scotsman Peter Graham has arranged this fantasy on three Burns Songs, 'Duncan Gray', 'Flow Gently Sweet Afton' and 'The Diel's Awa' wi' th' Exciseman'.

6.  A Gaelic Blessing, A traditional Irish melody in a setting by John Rutter. From the small ensemble work at the opening to the full band climax and a gradually receding coda, this arrangement displays Darrol Barry's skill and feeling for the subject.

7.  Star Wars, John Williams music for the film of the same name set a new standard in movie scoring. Adrian Drover is the arranger who takes some of the original themes in this exciting arrangement.

8.  Li'l Darlin, Philip Sparke's transcription of this big band favourite would do Count Basie proud. The trumpet solo is a classic and bandmaster Alan Haggart does the honours on the cornet to give a suitably laid-back rendition.

9.  Capriccio Espagnol, Rimsky-Korsakov's famous orchestral showpiece has been skillfully transcribed for brass band by Dr Keith Wilkinson. Castanets and tambourine add colour to the evocative Spanish rhythms as the excitement builds to a climax in this excellent arrangement.

10.  Mull of the Cool Bens, Another fine arrangement by Glasgow's Adrian Drover, the number brings together the unusual ensemble of the flugel and trombones. Clark Wallace' lyrical flugel sound is well suited to the melody and simplicity of the arrangement is highly effective.

11.  Wellington March, Traditional marches have been a popular feature of band programmes throughout the years, and here is a fine example, full of rythmic detail and vigour.

12.  A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square, a favourite song for many years, this tune is given an atmospheric treatment by Alan Fernie, complete with the distant chimes of Big Ben.

13.  Russian Circus Music, This splendid concert item takes us on a whirlwind trip around the sights and sounds of the big top including acrobats, trapese artists and of course the clowns. Composer Ray Woodfield brings these images to life in this scintillating piece.

14.  Lullaby for Lisa, a charming tune written for the composer Darrol Barry's daughter and features solos from Michael Chapman, Kenneth Chapman, Steve Fraser and Neil Ferguson on cornet, euphonium, horn and soprano respectively.

15.  The Final Countdown, A world wide hit for scandinavian rock band 'Europe'. Arranged by Frank Bernaerts, a prolific Belgian writer and publisher of band music. Drummer Colin Reid stands out in this exiting transcription.

16.  Jurassic Park, Another blockbuster John Williams film score. Arranger Alan Catherall captures the changing moods of the music from the mysterious opening to the dignified main theme and a rousing march to finish. Steven Fraser's haunting horn solo sets the tone for this superb item.

17.  And the band played On, Variety is the key to many of Goff Richard's band arrangements and here is a well known song through many different styles. This light hearted item features cornet solos by Michael Chapman.

18. The Champions written for the famous Black Dyke Band by Major George H Wilcocks and opened the concert

19. Seascapes (Movement 2 from Northern Landscapes) by Peter Graham features Principal Cornet: Allan Wilson

20. Wee Cooper o' Fife by Adrian Drover features Principal Euphonium: Kenneth Chapman

21. Chelsea Bridge was written by Billy Strayhorn - a pianist and composer, who worked for most of his life as the arranger for Duke Ellington's Orchestra. Written in 1952, and arranged by Adrian Drover. Features the Horn Section, Soprano Cornet: Calum Booth, and Principal Cornet: Allan Wilson

22. Amazing Grace by a Salvation Army Composer/Arranger, William Himes. One of the most prolific writers for band and choir in the Salvation Army and also a Euphonium player. Beautiful Arrangement with a distant cornet effect. The sound builds to a magnificent climax.

23. Galop (Final Movement from Little Suite for Brass No.2) written by Malcolm Arnold, who wrote the first Little Suite for Brass to be premiered by NYBBS which at that time, was held in Harlaw Academy in Aberdeen.

24. The Holy Well (From On Alderly Edge), written by Peter Graham, features 2nd Euphonium: Lewis Catto

25. Montegues and Capulets used as the theme tune to the Apprentice, written by Sergei Prokofiev and taken from the Ballet, Romeo and Juliett

26. The Catskills (From East Coast Pictures) written by Nigel Hess. Nice and Slow, but builds to a Magnificent Climax. Portrays the beauty and variety of the landscape around the catskill mountains which is in upstate New York.

27.  Fest Music Der Stadt Wien, the opening fanfare of the concert was written for brass and timpani in 1943 by Richard Strauss but not published until after his death.

28.  Granite City Overture, written especially for the band by Kenneth Downie and given its world premier by the band in July 2000 to mark the 150 year anniversary.

29.  Concert Etude, Russian composer Alexander Goedecke was born in Moscow in 1877. He has written compositions for many solo woodwind and brass instruments. This magnificent work was originally written for trumpet and orchestra but is presented here by cornet soloist Calum Booth. This is an extraordinary trumpet solo that demonstrates Calums technical prowess.

30.  Elvira Madigan Theme, Elvira Madigan is the alternate name for the second movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto in C major, K467. This movement became known as "Elvira Madigan", as it was used in the eponymous film. This transcription is an excellent showcase for the entire horn section.

31.  Gaelforce, Peter Grahams Gaelforce follows in 'Cry of the Celts' style, and uses three traditional folk tunes and exploits the colour and variety of the modern brass band. Firstly, the slip jig, The Rocky Road to Dublin leads nicely into The Minstrel Boy and onto the final reel, Tossing the Feathers.

32.  I Dont know how to Love Him, taken from Andrew Lloyd Webbers Jesus Christ Superstar this arrangement features June Donaldson on the Flugel

33.  Mumbo Jumbo, written by Barrie Gott the Australian who has written for both Brass Bands and the Salvation Army. This is a big band type piece and features the horn section with the main theme. There are solo opportunities for the solo cornet and trombone.

34.  Disney Fantasy, Goff Richards arrangement of a selection of well-known songs from Walt Disney films.

35.  Gathering of the Clan, written by Scotsman Andrew Duncan this is based on the Irish Tune 'The Burnt Man'. Andrew studied composition at Salford University and has written and arranged for Brass Band successfully demonstrated by the Spennymoor Brass in Concert competition where he has won the best new arrangement prize six times.

36.  Samum, Foxtrot written by German composer Carl Robrecht

37.  Tenor Trombone Rag, features the trombone playing of the bands principal trombone Richard Paton in Dr Roy Newsome's solo.

38.  Foxtrot Between Friends, written by Gordon Langford and featuring soloist Michael Chapman on the cornet and Euphonium player Kenneth Chapman.

39.  Bass in the Ballroom, this is a terrific solo for the tuba written by Dr Roy Newsome and performed here by Daniel Celnik

40.  Reel McCoy, arranged by Adrian Drover a 'reel' toe-tapper and crowd favourite.

41.  I'll walk with God, another of Goff Richards fine arrangements this time of Nicholas Brodsky's classic which featured in the film 'The Student Prince' and originally a hit for Mario Lanza in 1955

42.  Shine as the Light, Peter Graham. This work has become something of a modern classic and it's blend of drama, lyricism and famous blazing finale provides an excellent finale to the concert. Two Salvation Army Church songs are featured; The Candle of the Lord (Joy Webb) and The Light has Come (Chick Yuill).