One of the iconic brass band works by composer Philip Sparke is to be featured in the opening concert of 2017 Midwest Clinic in Chicago this month.

Brass Band of Battle Creek will perform excerpts from 'Music of the Spheres' to open the international band and orchestra conference on 20th December, an event that attracts in excess of 15,000 visitors each year from all corners of the musical world.

World premiere

Under the direction of MD, Michael J Garasi, the band will present a concert programme which will also include the world premiere of Philip's brand new 'Midwest Fanfare' written for the event, as well as music from Dizzy Gillespie, Igor Stravinsky, Henry Filmore and Karl Jenkins.

It's quite a coup for both Battle Creek as it's a huge conference with an audience almost entirely made up of composers, band directors and players from all parts of the globePhilip Sparke

Quite a coup

Philip told 4BR: "I've been attending this conference for over 30 years and this is only the third time in that period that a brass band has been invited.

It's quite a coup for both Battle Creek as it's a huge conference with an audience almost entirely made up of composers, band directors and players from all parts of the globe.

It's rare for a band to be accepted to play there and this will be a great opportunity for them to further promote brass band music to an international audience."