History of a Wind Orchestra

This musical story begins during a parade through the village with the main theme (theme 1), played by the trumpet players. Supported by a drummer, they play the opening of a march in a somewhat old-fashioned style. Immediately afterwards, the whole fanfare band joins in. Fanfare band? Yes, many wind orchestras in the Netherlands once started as a fanfare band! With a lyrical theme (2), the euphonium section takes over the lead, after which the first theme returns and the fanfare develops into a concert band. The march reaches a climax and then the percussion section takes over (theme 3). To attract new members, the orchestra is expanded with a marching band, complete with signal horn blowers. Later on, the music is transformed as the association starts participating in musical competitions.
After a short competition scene, the woodwinds, led by the flute and oboe sections (theme 4), respond with a variation on the march, after which the main theme returns one more time and the parade turns into a procession: over the years, the association has been strongly connected to the church. The bassoons play a chorale melody (theme 5) that is repeated by the high woodwinds. 

In addition to the performances on the street and in the church, the orchestra plays more and more in concert halls over the years. We now hear the clarinet section in the lead in a concert march (theme 6) that afterwards is taken up by the entire orchestra.
Light music makes its appearance in the wind orchestra together with the drum kit. The concert march is abruptly interrupted by a rock theme (7), played by the bass tubas. Then it is time to showcase the french horns and trombones (theme 8) and afterwards the saxophones (theme 9). In a film music-like finale, the chorale theme returns, now completely transformed, and the entire orchestra works towards a final climax. 

The premiere took place on November 15, 2025. A day later it was played again in a sold-out Theater CulturA in Nootdorp, the Netherlands, where I was able to be present; A wonderful experience! Conductor Bram Soentjens: "Compliments for your beautiful composition! Conceptually and orchestrally, the piece is well put together. The listener can clearly imagine the history of the orchestra while listening to the piece."