picc, 2fl, ob, cl in Eb, 3 cl, bass cl, bsn, alto sax, ten sax, bari sax, 4 hn, 3 tpt, 3 tbn, euph, tuba, timp (FDA), 3 perc

This was scored for band in 2009 from the organ piece, In memoriam, written a year earlier, in memory of John W Davis MBE (1920–2008), the composer’s uncle and godfather.

It was first performed at his memorial service at the Bath and West Showground on 29 May 2009 by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas. The Director of Music, Major Wayne Hopla, kindly allowed the composer to conduct the performance, as a further tribute to his uncle, a former bandsman.

Eschewing morbidity, the solemn D minor theme is subjected to continual variation, eventually succumbing to two noble statements in D major; the first, stated simply, the second a majestic peroration. The piece moves from grieving a loss to celebrating a life.

Performing note: Whilst desirable, the timpani and glockenspiel (perc 3) are optional. It is assumed that the snare drum and the suspended cymbal (perc 1) are played from a kit.