Six Fanfares is a contrasting and energetic composition for brass band, inspired by the Dutch maritime tradition and the Royal Netherlands Navy. Originally written for the Trumpet Team of the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy and later arranged for brassband, the work portrays different facets of naval life at sea. The six movements include Royal Honour (ceremonial and dignified), Naval Guns Loaded (powerful and rhythmic), Captain’s Diner (elegant and relaxed), Four Bells – Two O’clock (disciplined and steady), The Brave Frogmen (adventurous and energetic), and The Seven Provinces (heroic and monumental).

Watch and listen:

This French traditional Christmas song has been arranged for Brass Band in a very surprising and idiosyncratic way. Accessible, recognizable, and fresh. The snare drum starts with the piccolo making cheerful interludes, after which slowly more and more instruments join in the accompaniment and then let the sharp brass usher in the main melody with a signal. In contrast to the way the piece started by slowly getting stronger and stronger, it ends up like a candle that slowly goes out.

This well-known traditional English Christmas carol from the 19th century has been arranged in a surprising way for brass band by Anton Weeren. With this arrangement, every Christmas program receives an energetic and creative boost. Dancing accompaniments and cheerful counter-voices, the theme is presented and developed in various ways to culminate in a grand and enthusiastic conclusion.

Traditional Christmas carol from Ukraine, arranged for brass band in a dazzling and dynamic way by Anton Weeren. This arrangement lives up to its name through the use of the glockenspiel, sleigh bells, and tubular bells.

"Harpe Davids" Psalm 150, arranged for brass band in a creative and festive way. Written for the 100th anniversary of the music association Harpe Davids from the Dutch village of Ridderkerk. As the opening of a concert, this festive piece of music is certainly not out of place. The sharp brass kicks off with signals, after which the whole orchestra gives a festive response. The psalm is fully quoted in the arrangement, including the two verses, making it also suitable for congregational singing in church and worship services.

"Allegro con brio" is the first movement from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 25th Symphony, which he composed in October 1773. This beautiful, virtuosic, energetic, and world-famous first movement is an insanely fun and rewarding challenge for the brass band to play in this arrangement.

• Composer: Anton Weeren
• Instrumentation: Brass Band
• Duration: Ca. 5.50 min.
• Difficulty: Grade 3

This opening piece was composed for the Veenendaal Brass Ensemble and is dedicated to its conductor, Wim van Schaik (who was also the composer’s first trumpet teacher). Intrada Festivo is a dazzling opening piece, perfect for festively starting your concert or other event.

Spiritus Vita stands for "Breath of Life". The breath of life that is literally blown into instruments to produce beautiful wind music. This piece is a virtuosic fantasy for brass band. Extremely rhythmic, groovy, cheerful, flashy, and danceable, interspersed with long dramatic lines, sometimes combined with less common harmonies. The spirit and fire of life, with all its ups and downs, cheerfulness, sadness, reflection, peace, but also madness and despair. All emotions and energy expressed in this special, colorful, rhythmic composition.

Watch and Listen: