Shafer Mahoney: Sparkle

"Sparkle was a great find. I programmed it for the Dorset Youth Wind Orchestra and we performed it in our July 2003 concert, with the Band of the Royal Signals Regiment and for the Regional round of the National Concert Band Festival in November. It took a while for the band to 'get' the different style but I later found one of the flautists had programmed it into her mobile phone! Lots for the flutes, divisi a 3 plus picc, clarinets need great technical ability and counting skills, percussion have a lot to do, constantly in the background with 5/6 players (and piano) needed and the brass can rest their chops for much of the opening. Horns need courage (and high register) but doubled by saxes. Last section is a terrific sound. I love it!"

By: Ieuan Davies