Music House Productions

10/06/2024

"The King, Our Captain General", MHP324 marks the completion of our work with The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (The Royal Band). The project is now in the process of CD manufacture and will be available for purchase at the end of the month.

The recording features traditional items, vocal and solo features, and two big band arrangements. The eleven tracks include several memorable items performed at earlier Mountbatten Festival of Music Events, the annual Royal Marines massed bands event.

The programme includes music by composers such as Peter Graham, Martin Ellerby and Bruce Broughton. In addition, there are works written or arranged for the Band by members of the Royal Marines Band Services. Full programme details can be found here, https://www.musichouseproductions.co.uk/product/the-king-our-captain-general-mhp324/

You can learn more about the activities of The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth at, https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/units-and-squadrons/royal-marines-band-service/rm-band-portsmouth and they also have a strong following on Facebook.

The product will be available to purchase in early July from The Blue Band Shop, operated by The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity., https://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/shop/.

You can listen to three excerpts from the CD here, firstly the march HMS Bronington. The second item features the fine trombone playing of Cpl Fraser Wilkes in Sammy Nestico’s arrangement of ‘Truly’. Finally, you can hear the concluding portion of Martin Ellerby’s ‘Amphibiosity’ which ends with an innovative arrangement of Kenneth Alford’s slow march, “By Land and Sea”.

https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/hms-bronington
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/truly-lionel-richie-arr-sammy-nestico
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/amphibiosity-finale-martin-ellerby

You can see more of our work on our website, https://www.musichouseproductions.co.uk/

18/04/2024

We have spent the early part of this week at Woolwich Barracks in London recording the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra.

The Orchestra was formed in 2014 and has doubled in numbers since its establishment. As one of the eight musical groups within the Household Division, the CWSO performs at a wide variety of events, including musical support for State Ceremonial occasions, Investitures, Guards’ Chapel services and National Acts of Commemoration.

An aspect of the recording project is in collaboration with Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich, https://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk. Three of their postgraduate students introduced innovative compositions to the orchestra and these were recorded with the students present.

Additionally, there was music which included works by Rob Wiffin, http://robwiffin.com/home.html lately Professor of Conducting at the Royal Military School of Music.

The entire programme will be available shortly for download via the Household Division website, https://www.householddivision.org.uk/recordings.

21/03/2024

We have completed our recent work with the Band of the Grenadier Guards which took place in Aldershot last month and in which they included two premiere recordings.

The first of these was the “King Charles III Coronation March” by the Scottish-born composer Patrick Doyle, https://patrickdoylemusic.com/.

He is better known for his prolific film score writing on films such as Henry V, Sense and Sensibility, Hamlet, and Harry Potter.

He was invited to compose his ‘Coronation March’ which featured at the Coronation of King Charles III which took place at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6th last year.

The second premiere recording was written by the English composer Stephen Roberts, https://tanglewindmusic.com/

‘The Other Side of Silence’ was originally written for two brass bands It was commissioned by Leamington Music and celebrates coming through the covid lockdown to hear live music once again.

The title is borrowed from George Eliot’s 1871 book "Middlemarch" and the piece is in the form of eight variations that progress from blithe spirit through adversity to end in ecstatic jubilation.

It was used as a brass band test piece for the 2022 Besson Swiss Open Championships and was transcribed specifically by the composer for this recording.

The recorded items will be featured for download on the Household Division website, https://www.householddivision.org.uk/recordings

However you can have a sneak preview by listening on our Soundcloud site here:-
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/king-charles-iii-coronation-march-patrick-doyle
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/the-other-side-of-silence-stephen-roberts

You can discover more of our recent activity by looking at the News section on our website, https://www.musichouseproductions.co.uk/blog/

29/02/2024

We have had another sojourn down south this week via the M40 with four days in Chandlers Ford in Hampshire with The Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth.

The recording took place at the impressive Chandlers Ford Methodist Church with the object of producing a CD which should be available in April.

The eclectic programme of music included traditional and modern band numbers, instrumental solo and vocal contributions and a couple of ‘Big Band’ titles.

In all, a tremendous selection which we eagerly look forward to finalising.

You can learn more by visiting our website at
https://www.musichouseproductions.co.uk/blog/

24/02/2024

We have spent two days this week with the Band of the Grenadier Guards at Saint Andrew’s Garrison Church Aldershot. They were recording music which will shortly be available for streaming on the Household Division website.

Two of the items are premiere recordings. The Scottish composer Patrick Doyle is perhaps better known for his film scores and he was invited to compose his ‘Coronation March’. The music featured at the Coronation of King Charles III which took place on May 6th last year.

‘The Other Side of Silence’ was written by English composer Stephen Roberts. Originally written for brass band ‘It celebrates coming through lockdown to hearing live music once again’, with the title borrowed from George Eliot’s Middlemarch. it was used as the test piece for the 2022 Besson Swiss Open and has been reinscribed here for concert band.

08/01/2024

I have been contacted recently by a gentleman in Australia who has been searching for a CD recording which we produced in 2010. ‘When Poppies Fall A Service of Remembrance” was recorded by The Band of the Parachute Regiment in Colchester that year and sadly, there are none of these around these days.

The aim of the CD was to allow music to play a part in services where it would otherwise be difficult to arrange. The standard items recorded form a ‘Service of Remembrance’ many of which are of particular significance to The Parachute Regiment.

Searching through my back catalogue I discovered the relevant project and put these three items on my Soundcloud Account in order that they may be listened to.

The title song, ‘When Poppies Fall’ was written by locally born Classic FM’s presenter John Brunning who was present at the recording sessions. It is sung by Scottish tenor, John Craig Innes, https://www.thepeoplestenor.com/

‘Song for Joe’ On 24th of June 2008, Pte Joe Whittaker, 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment was killed while on active service in Afghanistan. This piece, originally written for his funeral for solo saxophone with piano and bass guitar, was composed and arranged for military band by his sister, Musician Kate Whittaker and played here by her.

This is the item the Australian gentleman was particularly interested in as he is undertaking some family history.

The third item is ‘Sunset’ which conventionally marks the end of the military day. The call is regularly heard performed in an arrangement for full military band by Captain A C Green, former Director of the Royal Naval School of Music's Junior Wing. Often used in Beating Retreats, and commemorating former military conflicts, it is customary to stand for the bugle call during the performance of the piece. It just so happens to be something of a favourite of mine!!

PS I did manage to source a ‘used’ CD via eBay at double the original price, passed the information on but I notice it has gone now.

https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/when-poppies-fall-john-brunning-the-band-of-the-parachute-regiment

https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/song-for-joe-when-poppies-fall

https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/sunset-when-poppies-fall

11/11/2023

It would be nice if, at 11 o'clock today, we could all come together and forget all the media and the politics for two minutes and think what Remembrance Day is all about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwdeqVmXlHk

19/10/2023

We had a wonderful day yesterday in great company with former members of the North West Area Youth Band. It operated in the 1960s in the Manchester area under the auspices of the Manchester Education Committee with some great tutors, many talented young players and a number of fabulous ‘international tours’.

I count several of them as my exceptional musical and personal friends, indeed best man for one and I am very much looking forward to the next.

The ‘odd’ photograph shows me with one of the greatest cornet players and friend I have had the privilege of knowing. We were both a little younger then and he now has a beard!!

Thanks Les & Joyce.

19/10/2023

We have completed the work on the recording project with the Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood. It has now gone off for production and the CD will be available to purchase early next month, certainly in plenty of time for Christmas!

The twelve tracks are an eclectic mix of traditional military music together with more modern compositions. Indeed, over half of the numbers have not been recorded before and it very much represents how the Band’s current audiences around the world hear them perform.

You can learn more about the Band’s activities here:- https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/royal-marines/royal-marines-band-service/rm-band-collingwood #:~:text=RM%20Band%20Collingwood%20takes%20part,since%20the%20Second%20World%20War.

They also have a strong following on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/rmbandservice.

You can also listen to two excerpts from the CD here, Geoffrey Nobes' beautiful hymn tune arrangement, ‘Prelude to Lavenham’ and ‘Out of Space’ by the Austrian composer Thomas Doss.

https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/prelude-on-lavenham-geoffrey-nobes

https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/out-of-space-thomas-doss

05/10/2023

Musicians' jobs are on the line at the Northern Ballet. Due to funding cuts, Northern Ballet is being forced to consider replacing good union jobs with a recording. That means less work for musicians, and less live ballet for towns and cities across the UK. Join me in supporting Musicians' Union mem...

02/09/2023

We have completed the work on our latest CD recording, “Carol of the Shepherds” which features the York based Shepherd Group Brass Band, https://www.shepherdgroupbrassband.org.uk/

The project features some fourteen Christmas tracks with arrangements by a great selection of international composers ranging from Philip Sparke through to James Curnow.

The CD is now in the production phase and will be available in plenty of time before the Band’s numerous Christmas Concerts.

As something of a preview you can listen to two of the tracks here:-
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/christmas-carillon-arr-james-curnow-shepherd-group-brass-band
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/carol-of-the-shepherds-shepherd-group-brass-band

20/07/2023

It is so hard to believe this was forty one years ago today.

11/07/2023

In the somewhat inclement weather on the evening of the 4th of July I was unable to count the number of trombonists. There were in fact twenty eight but they did produce an awesome sound!

At 51.34 here you can listen to the march 'Edinburgh Castle' filmed the following evening during the finale of the Beating Retreat Ceremony, Orb and Sceptre 2023.

PS the spelling error in the title is not mine!

The Household Division presents – A Military Musical Spectacular - Orb & Septre 20235th July 2023 in the presence of The Duchess of Edinburgh

08/07/2023

Why could you not arrange the weather like this on Tuesday Mr Barringer?

05/07/2023

We received a very pleasant invitation last week to attend the annual Household Division Beating Retreat ceremony, “Orb and Sceptre” held at Horse Guards Parade in London.

The invitation included the formal reception which took place in Horse Guards itself, the historic Palladian 18th century building in Whitehall and the event itself occupied the Parade Ground outside.

Despite the truly horrendous weather some one hundred and eighty musicians took part in the ceremony in addition to the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. We were fortunate in that we were located under cover in the ‘Guest enclosure’ and remained relatively dry in the ‘monsoon’ conditions.

It was wonderful to listen again to music that we have recorded with the Bands during the past three months. My lasting memory was to hear a line of some thirty trombonists making what can only be described as a truly awesome sound as they turned as part of the marching display to face an enthusiastic audience!

Many, many thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Dave Barringer and his colleagues for the invitation.

30/06/2023

We have completed the final aspect of our work with the Band of the Coldstream Guards. following our three recording dates with them in early April.

The first section of the project was the recording of processional marches featured at the King’s Coronation in May of this year.

These are featured in the commemorative double CD album ‘The Coronation Procession & The King’s Birthday Parade 2023’. This was released on the 3rd of June and is available for purchase from the Household Division Merchandise Store. https://hdivbandsmerch.sumupstore.com/

All the proceeds from the sales of the CD will be given to the Household Division Charity who have supported this project.

The third facet details a varied selection of music which will be featured at the forthcoming "Military Music Spectacular". This event is being held on Horse Guards Parade in London on the evenings of the 4th, 5th, and 6th of July. Details of the event can be found here, https://tickets.householddivision.org.uk/beatin.../index.htm

All the recorded music will be available for free download via the Household Division’s website, https://www.householddivision.org.uk/recordings

Two of these items may be heard by visiting our Soundcloud site:-
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/marche-militaire-marche-la-ronde-charles-gounod
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/at-the-close-of-day-last-post-trevor-sharpe

You can learn more about our current work by visiting our website at https://www.musichouseproductions.co.uk/blog/

19/06/2023

Over a somewhat sultry weekend in the beautiful city of York we have spent a pleasant time in great company recording Christmas music in preparation for a CD production.

The Shepherd Group Brass Band is one of the largest brass band organisations in the country making up a number of ensembles with over one hundred and fifty players.

The organisation accommodates a championship section brass band and thriving Youth, Brass Roots, Academy and Concert Bands. They all take pride in their involvement with the local community, raising money for local charities and encouraging new players of all ages to become involved.

We spent the two days in the beautiful barrel-vaulted hall at All Saints School recording the tracks for their forthcoming Christmas album. The production, with a selection of the usual fayre and some fine lesser heard additions will be available for the Band's Christmas Gala concerts.

Despite the tremendous weather everybody joined in the Christmas spirit and this was greatly enhanced by some decent playing and a fine selection of homemade biscuits!

19/05/2023

The latest CD double album, 'The Coronation Procession & The King's Birthday Parade 2023' is due to be released by The Bands of the Household Division on the 3rd of June 2023.

You can pre-order your copy by scanning the QR code on this promotional document.

10/05/2023

We have been privileged in the past few months to record a number of the seven Regimental Bands which form the Household Division. These recordings have marked a number of particular historical events.

In September we recorded the Band of the Household Cavalry performing the funeral marches played during the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II earlier that month.

These recordings form part of a substantial collection which are freely available to download via the Household Division website. https://www.householddivision.org.uk/recordings

Our latest project has been to record the marches played in “The Coronation Procession” which took place on Saturday 6th of May 2023 and King Charles III’s first “Kings Birthday Parade” (Trooping of the Colour) which will be held on Saturday 17th of June.

This will be produced as a commemorative CD double album and will be available to purchase from the 2nd of June from the same website. https://www.householddivision.org.uk/recordings.

You can hear two items from the album here, the march 'Scarlet and Gold' is included in the first CD "Coronation Procession".

Lieutenant Colonel 'Jiggs' Jaeger's march "Freedom of Windsor" is included in the second of the CDs, "The King's Birthday Parade 2023".

https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/scarlet-and-gold-bands-of-the-household-division.
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/freedom-of-windsor-c-h-jaeger.

09/04/2023

Whilst in London at the same time as the recording with the Grenadier Guards we were fortunate to spend two further days with the Band of the Scots Guards.

Their objective was to record several ‘Heritage’ items for inclusion in the Household Division’s Free Download Music Library.

Many of the items were exclusively written by present and former Band members and Directors of Music with a strong affinity to the Band’s traditional Scottish roots.

Three of the movements from Philip Sparke’s “Hymn of the Highlands” are also included in addition to Percy Grainger’s “Ye Banks and Braes O’Bonnie Doon”.

The project is now complete and all the recorded items will be available shortly for free download on the music library operated by the Household Division.

You can preview two of the tracks here:-
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/ye-banks-and-braes-o-bonnie-doon
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/heather-mixture

09/04/2023

The recording project with the Band of the Grenadier Guards which we undertook in London on the 17th and 18th of January has been completed.

The Band recorded an eclectic mix of items which included a new march. “The King’s Company” written by the current Director of Music, Captain Ben Mason. This will be featured at this year's King’s Coronation on the 6th of May.

Also featured is the appropriately named march "Coronation Bells’" written in the late 1920s which will also be heard at the same event.

“Hope Springs Eternal” is a new commission written by the English composer Rob Wiffen, a former Professor of Conducting at the Royal Military School of Music.

All the recorded items will be available shortly for free download on the music library operated by the Household Division.

You can preview two of the recorded tracks here:-

https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/coronation-bells
https://soundcloud.com/user-152351074/hope-springs-eternal

07/04/2023

We have spent a second week in London with the Royal Corps of Army Music.

Recording at the studio of the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment at RAF Northolt we were guests of the Band of the Coldstream Guards who are currently furthering three different projects.

The first of these involved eleven marches which will be played processionally at the King’s Coronation which takes place on Saturday 6th of May. https://www.royal.uk/coronation-weekend-plans-announced

The second involves the recording of marches, including new compositions, which will be used at the King’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) which takes place on Saturday 17th of June.
https://www.householddivision.org.uk/trooping-the-colour

Both recordings, and those from last week’s project by the Band of the Welsh Guards, will be included in a new commemorative double CD which will be available from the 1st of June 2023.

The third day with the Coldstream Guards featured music which will be heard at the Military Music Spectacular which will be held on Horse Guards Parade in London on the 4th, 5th and 6th of July.
https://tickets.householddivision.org.uk/beating-retreat/index.htm

This music will be available for free download via the website of the Household Division.
https://www.householddivision.org.uk/recordings

30/03/2023

We have this week made a welcome return to the The Royal Military Chapel on Birdcage Walk in London where we have been working with the Band of the Welsh Guards.

They have been recording the military marches which will be used at this year’s King’s Birthday (Trooping the Colour) which is to take place on the 17th of June.

The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards will this year Troop their colour and taking part will be some 1350 soldiers of the Household Division and a Massed Band of some 300 musicians.

There are a number of ‘Welsh themed’ items including some new compositions in this year’s programme and they will feature in a double CD album which will be available for the event.

More of the second album next week!

04/02/2023

A tremendous concert from His Majesty's Royal Marines Band Collingwood at Huddersfield Town Hall last night.

Many highlights which concluded with the finale from Camille Saint-Saens organ symphony, the traditional Sunset Ceremony and the Regimental Marches.

The standing ovation at the end of the concert was truly deserved and, if you missed the event there is still the opportunity today of watching them at the Hull Minster at 4.00pm. https://hm.churchsuite.com/events/mbrgcfuq

Many thanks to Stephen Saleh for the photographs.

03/02/2023

The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines Collingwood are performing two concerts this weekend in Huddersfield and Hull.

The programme includes music for everyone ranging from the traditional fayre through big band music, fine soloists, the Corps of Drums Display Team and the splendid finale from Saint-Saens 'Organ Symphony'.

The first of these concerts is tonight at 7.30pm at Huddersfield Town Hall followed by their second performance at Hull Minster tomorrow at 4pm.

Well worth a listen!

01/02/2023

22/01/2023

21/01/2023

The second of our recording projects at the Guards Chapel featured the Band of the Scots Guards.

Their repertoire included three of the seven elements of Philip Sparkes’ Hymn of the Highlands.

"Alladale" features three of the Band's saxophonists. "Summer Isles" highlights the Band’s principal euphonium player Lance Corporal Robbie Henderson. The third item is the exhilarating "Strathcarron", the Sword Dance.

The Band also recorded a number of marches which will form part of their ‘Heritage’ project. This promotes music exclusively written by former Band members and Directors of Music and one of these spotlights a Scottish piper.

Again, the items will be initially available for free download on the music library operated by the Household Division. https://www.householddivision.org.uk/gift-to-the-nation-Library.

21/01/2023

Following our visit to the Royal Marines last week we have spent five days recording at the magnificent Royal Military Chapel (The Guards’ Chapel) located at Wellington Barracks in London.

The first two days were spent with the Band of the Grenadier Guards, one of the seven regimental bands within the Household Division. They have the unique responsibility for delivering State Ceremonial and Public Duties, primarily in London & Windsor.

Their choice of repertoire included a new march from the Band’s Director of Music, Captain Ben Mason. The quick march, "The Kings Company", is planned to be publicly premiered at the forthcoming King’s Coronation in May.

Other items included an arrangement of the "Richard III" overture, (Sir Edward German), and Rob Wiffin’s "Hope Springs Eternal".

All the items will be initially available for free download on the music library operated by the Household Division. https://www.householddivision.org.uk/gift-to-the-nation-Library.

13/01/2023

We have spent three days this week in Fareham in Hampshire with the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood. They were recording an eclectic mix of traditional music for a forthcoming CD.

The Band fulfils over 300 ceremonial and concert commitments every year principally in the south of England. Band members are talented multi-taskers, all playing two or more instruments and they perform in many formats from the conventional Military Band through Big Band to Rock and Pop ensembles. This is in addition to maintaining their military skills ready for deployment whenever they’re needed.

Albeit RM Band Collingwood are usually to be seen in the south of England, they have two concert performances in Yorkshire in early February. These are at Hull Minster, https://hm.churchsuite.com/events/mbrgcfuq and Huddersfield Town Hall, https://tickets.kirklees.gov.uk/en-GB/categories/brass/2 These performances include the ever-present Corps of Drums.

We are in the process of editing the recorded product in preparation for the CD launch.

You can learn more about the Band by visiting their website or via Facebook.

Further information about current projects is available on the News Page of website:- https://www.musichouseproductions.co.uk/blog/