For brass band
Duration: 3:30
Commissioned by Grimethorpe Colliery Band for their seaside tour, August 2023. Performed at Paignton, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Shanklin and Herne Bay.
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I was staying in Spain over Christmas 2018 and awoke one morning to the most glorious sunrise across the water which I captured on my phone. I watched as the sky evolved into an immersion of golden red reflected in the sea, casting the closer buildings and trees into silhouette. In the background were thousands of little sparrows waking up and chattering in the trees.
The Awakening reflects on this memorable moment and, perhaps when it is least expected, the unexpected and uplifting wonder of nature.
January 2026
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A history of The Awakening
The Awakening was originally titled Giants Awake! - part of a trio of commissions with composers Naomi Hill and Andrea Price for the Iron People project, performed by Elland Youth Band, and conducted by Sam Harrison in 2025. The composition was also supported by personal research and scholarship time from UWE Bristol. Giants Awake! was further adapted as The Awakening for Brass in Concert 2025.
This 2026 new version and concept was created for performance by Brassband Vorarlberg, conducted by Katrina Marzella Wheeler, 7 and 8 February 2026 at Reichshofsaal, Lustenau and AMBACH CulturalStage, Götzis, Austria.
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Instrumentation
Eb Soprano Cornet
Bb Solo Cornet
Bb Repiano Cornet
Bb Cornet 2
Bb Cornet 3
Bb Flugelhorn
Eb Solo Tenor Horn
Eb Tenor Horn 1
Eb Tenor Horn 2
Bb Baritone 1
Bb Baritone 2
Bb Trombone 1
Bb Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Bb Euphonium
Eb Bass
Bb Bass
Percussion 1: timpani
Percussion 2: bass drum (concert), 3 tom-toms, suspended cymbal
Percussion 3: snare drum, high and lowsuspended cymbal, glockenspiel, tubular bells, tam-tam (or low
suspended cymbal)