Go!
Commissioned by The Flowers Band for their Brass in Concert and (winning) Butlins set, 'Go!' is an energetic opener originally written to depict the excitement and anticipation of sitting down to start everyone's favourite (and after a short while, least favourite) board game, Monopoly.
Driven by the drum kit and a vaguely ragtime-esque motif in the middle band, the first focal point is a brief determined hook thumped out by the trombones and basses. The spotlight is then briefly shone on a handful of soloists - tenor horn, cornet, baritone, and everyone's favourite (and after a short while, least favourite) duo, soprano and bass trombone. After a reinstatement of the hook, the piece goes against the usual flow of the game by coming to a thrilling conclusion, ending on a high note and, hopefully, rapturous applause!
Christian Overhead