Horizons
Horizons was commissioned by the Ratby Co-Operative Band and their Musical Director Michael Fowles to celebrate their Centenary. The first performance was given in the presence of the composer in The De Montfort Hall, Leicester on September 16th 2006.
When commissioned to write this piece I was asked to write a piece of concert music that would be a good opener to any concert or to start a second half. I wanted the piece to be accessible for bands of different standards to play but in the first instance to be suitable for the band that had commissioned me to write the piece.
In the case of the Ratby Co-Operative Band, they are embarking on a tremendous journey having just celebrated their Centenary and are still going strong. I wanted to write a piece that was reflective but also forward-thinking.
The piece uses a fanfare to start which returns at the end with some very musical moments for all involved.
Paul Lovatt-Cooper, April 2007