Thames Journey

A 10-minute work which follows the journey of the Thames from its origins as a few drops of water in Wiltshire to the point where it meets the open sea. Along the way Hess draws upon many musical links along the Thames such as an old Wiltshire melody morris dancing in Oxfordshire boating songs from Berkshire.With such rich and diverse sources of music across several counties and centuries this has quite understandably become one of Hess's most popular wind band works to date.

New London Pictures represents elements of London in the 21st Century. The Millennium Bridge describes the pedestrian’s journey across this wonderful new landmark bridge over the Thames starting at the imposing Tate Modern crossing the busy river and onwards to St. Paul’s Cathedral with its bells ringing out over the great city. London Eye is an incredibly large ferris wheel situated on the South Bank of the River Thames. This movement depicts a ‘flight’ on this riverside wheel at the top of which the panoramic view of London is breath-taking and the expanse of the music is a suitable depiction ofthe view. As with all modern cities London is over-crowded with motor vehicles. London is the first major city in Europe to adopt a Congestion Charge and this piece (with its stop and go traffic lights) is both racy and comical. Here are Londoners attempting to go about their business in the face of overwhelming odds.....Brass Band Grades 4/5: Premier Youth and 2nd Section Duration: 15 minutes