Concert Band

Tales of the River Wye

Grade 1.5 | 4 Mins

In 2007 Philip Sparke was appointed composer-in-residence to Monmouth School, situated on the Welsh/English border. The school, which has a venerable history dating back to 1614, has a thriving music department which boasts two concert bands, in co-operation with the nearby Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls, and a brass band. 

This exciting and innovative appointment involved three visits by the composer during the year as well as the commissioning of a new piece for each of the bands, all of which were premiered in a concert at the end of the year.

Tales of the River Wye was written for the Junior Symphonic Wind Band. 

The River Wye meanders gently through the composer’s favourite part of the country and flows past, amongst others, the picturesque towns of Monmouth, Ross-on-Wye, Hereford and Hay-on-Wye. This piece describes a lazy and quiet afternoon spent on its banks surrounded by this beautifully peaceful countryside.