Handsel Overture (Brass Band)

In the Fall of 2019, Jack Stamp was named International Composer in Association to the famed Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band in the UK. Upon his return home, he immediately set forth, writing an overture for them, titled Handsel Overture. A "handsel" is a gift given at the start of a new friendship or enterprise.

Genre: Brass Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: The Championship Series
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 7:15

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score (A3 spiral bound)

E-flat Soprano Cornet (1)
Solo Cornet (4)
Repiano Bf-atl Cornet (1)
2nd B-flat Cornet (2)
3rd B-flat Cornet (2)
1st E-flat Horn (1)
2nd E-flat Horn (1)
1st B-flat Baritone (1)
2nd B-flat Baritone (1)
1st B-flat Trombone (1)
2nd B-flat Trombone (1)
Bass Trombone (1)
B-flat Euphonium (2)
E-flat Bass (2)
B-flat Bass (2)

Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1: Vibraphone, Glockenspiel [shared], Xylophone, Chimes [shared], Large Triangle [shared]
Percussion 2: Bass Drum, Claves, Large Triangle [shared]
Percussion 3: Crash Cymbals, Large Triangle [shared], Bongos, Vibraphone [shared], Chimes [shared]

Program Notes
In the Fall of 2019, I was named International Composer in Association to the famed Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band in the UK. Upon my return home, I immediately set forth, writing an overture for them. I titled it ,b>Handsel Overture. A "handsel" is a gift given at the start of a new friendship or enterprise. The initial premiere was set for May of 2020. But the Covid pandemic postponed it until June 26, 2022 where it was premiered at the Pontefract Town Hall (UK) with the composer conducting. A recording of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band performing the piece is available on their album Postcards from Grimethorpe (2023). – J.S.