ScorePlay™ lets band directors, teachers, students, and anyone visiting Musicroom view conductor scores on-screen while listening to professionally recorded demo recordings of both original and new epic works for band. Hosted on YouTube, there are more than 800 full recordings and demos with specific channels containing works for Concert Band, Brass Band, and Ensemble. On Musicroom, the ScorePlay video for a piece can be found within the Video Tab. Our band contributor GL chose five of their favourite Scoreplay videos below. A link is included with each piece.
Coldplay in Symphony – arr. Bert Appermont, for Concert Band
Bert Appermont is known for his rich catalogue of original works for a range of ensembles. In this arrangement, Coldplay in Symphony, Appermont gives Coldplay a symphonic twist, combining his own cinematic orchestral style with some of Coldplay’s greatest hits including “Viva La Vida”, “Sky Full of Stars” and “Clocks”. Having accumulated over 430,000 views, this is the most popular concert band ScorePlay video, and for good reason.
Oregon – Jacob de Haan, for Concert Band
In his work Oregon, Jacob de Haan takes the listener on a journey through one of America’s north-western states. Traveling by train on the Northern Pacific Railroad, the listener is taken through the fascinating Oregon landscape, with the piece drawing similarities to a film soundtrack as various melodies, which could be the main themes of a movie, are heard. Notable characteristics in the music help paint a vivid picture, for example the trombones that imitate the train, whistling the steam-flute. The presto section of the work features time signature changes, jazzy chords, and interesting rhythmic patterns (with bongos). The piece ends with a grand allargando, signalling that the travelling fantasy of this work has come to an end.
Pirates of the Caribbean Medley – arr. Kazuhiro Morita, for Concert Band
One of the most iconic film franchises of the 21st century, Pirates of the Caribbean is loved by fans all over the world. This arrangement by Kazuhiro Morita is ideal for concert performances, and one that your audience is sure to love. Featuring the most popular melodies from the first two films including “The Medallion Calls” and “He’s a Pirate” from The Curse of the Black Pearl, and “Jack Sparrow” and “Davy Jones” from Dead Man’s Chest.
Arsenal – Jan Van der Roost for Concert Band
Composed for the 50th anniversary of the ‘Harmonie van het Spoorwegarsenaal’ (Railroad Arsenal), based in Mechelen (Belgium), Arsenal is a stately concert march, containing beautiful themes and a broad melody in the trio. It was premiered in the Mechelen Cultural Centre on the 11th of May 1996 during the solemn ceremony, opening the anniversary year and conducted by the composer. Arsenal has been recorded several times by such renowned performers like the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, with the brass version performed by the Black Dyke Band.
Lions of Legends – Thierry Deleruyelle, for Brass Band
Commissioned by the Eurofestival and selected as the test piece for the National Championship of Great Britain 2nd section finals in 2021, Lions of Legends is a fantastic choice for thematic concerts or as a contest work. In five movements the composer describes both the history of the lion throughout the centuries, as well as the characteristics, a challenging idea to turn into music. The final movement, ‘King of Kings’, is extremely spectacular concluding with a fantastic fanfare like section.