Philip Sparke
| Website: | http://www.philipsparke.com/ |
|---|
Philip Sparke was born in London and studied composition, trumpet and piano at the Royal College of Music, where he gained an ARCM.
It was at the College that his interest in bands arose. He played in the College wind orchestra and also formed a brass band among the students, writing several works for both ensembles.
At that time, his first published works appeared - Concert Prelude (brass band) and Gaudium (wind band). A growing interest in his music led to several commissions, his first major one being for the Centennial Brass Band Championships in New Zealand – The Land of the Long White Cloud.
Further commissions followed from individual bands, various band associations and the BBC, for whom he three times won the EBU New Music for Band Competition (with Slipstream, Skyrider and Orient Express). He has written for brass band championships in New Zealand, Switzerland, Holland, Australia and the UK, including three times for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall.
A close association with banding in Japan led to a commission (Celebration) from and eventual recording of his music with the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. This opened the door worldwide to his wind band music and led to several commissions, particularly from the United States. In 1996 the US Air Force Band commissioned and recorded Dance Movements, which won the prestigious Sudler Prize in 1997. In September 2000 he was awarded the Iles Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians for his services to brass bands. In 2005 Music of the Spheres won the National Band Association/William D. Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest.
His conducting and adjudicating activities have taken him to most European countries, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada and the USA. In May 2000, he took the major step of becoming a full-time composer by founding his own publishing company, Anglo Music Press. The company is devoted to publishing his brass band, concert band, fanfare band and instrumental publications as well as recordings dedicated to his latest works.
| Date | Contest | Band | Position | Points | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23rd Sep 2006 |
 National Championship of Great Britain (Second Section Final)
|
Denham Hendon Brass | 13 | 170 | 15 |
| 10th Feb 2002 |
Norwegian National Championships (Division 1)
|
Alexander Brass Band | 1 | 97 | 10 |
| 14th Mar 1999 |
London and Southern Counties (First Section)
|
Denham Hendon | 8 | 167 | 7 |
| 12th Sep 1998 |
Harry Ramsden's Section 'A' Contest Final
|
Denham Hendon | 7 | 202 | 6 |
| 7th Jun 1998 |
Harry Ramsden's Section 'A' Contest London & Anglia Qualifier
|
Denham Brass | 1 | 204 | |
| 8th Mar 1998 |
London and Southern Counties (First Section)
|
Denham Brass | 4 | 186 | 2 |
| 21st May 1995 |
SCABA Entertainment Contest (A Section)
|
Hillingdon | 2 | 87 | |
| 12th Mar 1995 |
London and Southern Counties (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 10 | 181 | 2 |
| 19th Jun 1994 |
Rhyl Festival of Brass (Open Section)
|
Hillingdon | 4 | 230 | |
| 24th Apr 1994 |
SCABA Spring Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | 185 | |
| 13th Mar 1994 |
London and Southern Counties (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 4 | 187 | 11 |
| 5th Dec 1993 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Open Section)
|
Hillingdon | 2 | 180 | |
| 20th Nov 1993 |
Reading Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | |||
| 10th Oct 1993 |
SCABA Autumn Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 3 | 191 | 7 |
| 20th Jun 1993 |
Rhyl Festival of Brass (Championship/First Section)
|
Hillingdon | 2 | 188 | |
| 16th May 1993 |
Wessex Brass Band Association Summer Contest (Section B)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | 190 | |
| 14th Mar 1993 |
London and Southern Counties (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 3 | 185 | 4 |
| 6th Feb 1993 |
Yeovil Entertainment
|
Hillingdon | 13 | 177 | 9 |
| 6th Dec 1992 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Open Section)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | 188 | 1 |
| 21st Nov 1992 |
Reading Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 12 | ||
| 11th Oct 1992 |
SCABA Autumn Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 3 | 186 | |
| 17th May 1992 |
SCABA Entertainment Contest (A Section)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | 88 | |
| 8th Mar 1992 |
London and Southern Counties (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 6 | 181 | 3 |
| 1st Dec 1991 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Open Section)
|
Hillingdon | 2 | 192 | 3 |
| 16th Nov 1991 |
Reading Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 6 | ||
| 3rd Nov 1991 |
Watford (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 7 | ||
| 15th Sep 1991 |
Wychavon Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 7 | ||
| 10th Mar 1991 |
London and Southern Counties (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 7 | 181 | 10 |
| 2nd Dec 1990 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Open Section)
|
Hillingdon | 5 | ||
| 8th Apr 1990 |
SCABA Entertainment Contest (A Section)
|
Hillingdon | 2 | 87 | |
| 11th Mar 1990 |
London and Southern Counties (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 13 | 178 | 12 |
| 18th Nov 1989 |
Reading Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 6 | ||
| 14th May 1989 |
SCABA Entertainment Contest (A Section)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | 90 | |
| 12th Mar 1989 |
London and Southern Counties (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 8 | 184 | 14 |
| 19th Nov 1988 |
Reading Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon Borough | 12 | ||
| 13th Mar 1988 |
London and Southern Counties (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 17 | 164 | 14 |
| 14th Nov 1987 |
Reading Contest (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | 186 | |
| 17th May 1987 |
SCABA Entertainment Contest (A Section)
|
Hillingdon | 4 | 75 | 6 |
| 4th May 1987 |
Hemel Hempstead (Bucks & District BBA) (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | ||
| 12th Apr 1987 |
SCABA Spring Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 3 | 173 | 3 |
| 8th Mar 1987 |
London and Southern Counties (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 3 | 178 | |
| 7th Dec 1986 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Section A)
|
Hillingdon | 2 | 190 | 7 |
| 7th Dec 1986 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Open Section)
|
Hillingdon | 2 | 191 | 7 |
| 18th May 1986 |
Joshua Tetley Leeds Open (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 12 | ||
| 5th May 1986 |
LHCBBA May Day Band Contest: Championship Section
|
Hillingdon | 2 | ||
| 20th Apr 1986 |
SCABA Spring Contest (Championship Section)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | ||
| 1st Mar 1986 |
London and Southern Counties (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 4 | 184 | 2 |
| 1st Dec 1985 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Section A)
|
Hillingdon | 3 | 84 | 5 |
| 1st Dec 1985 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Open Section)
|
Hillingdon | 5 | ||
| 3rd Nov 1985 |
Watford (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 13 | ||
| 13th Oct 1985 |
SCABA Autumn Contest (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 3 | 183 | 4 |
| 6th May 1985 |
LHCBBA May Day Band Contest: Class B (Third & Second Section Bands)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | 88 | 5 |
| 21st Apr 1985 |
SCABA Spring Contest (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 2 | 86 | |
| 7th Apr 1985 |
Pontins Hemsby (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 2 | ||
| 10th Mar 1985 |
London and Southern Counties (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 6 | 183 | |
| 2nd Dec 1984 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Section A)
|
Hillingdon | 3 | 183 | 12 |
| 17th Nov 1984 |
Reading Contest (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | |||
| 4th Nov 1984 |
Watford (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | 189 | 8 |
| 7th May 1984 |
LHCBBA May Day Band Contest: Class B (Third & Second Section Bands)
|
Hillingdon Band | |||
| 22nd Apr 1984 |
Pontins Hemsby (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | |||
| 11th Mar 1984 |
London and Southern Counties (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 7 | ||
| 4th Dec 1983 |
Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire & District BBA) Contest (Section A)
|
Hillingdon | 9 | ||
| 19th Nov 1983 |
Reading Contest (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | |||
| 6th Nov 1983 |
Watford (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 1 | ||
| 22nd May 1983 |
SCABA Entertainment Contest (A Section)
|
Hillingdon | 3 | 182 | |
| 3rd Apr 1983 |
Pontins Brean Sands (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | 17 | 171 | 3 |
| 6th Mar 1983 |
London and Southern Counties (Second Section)
|
Hillingdon | |||
| 20th Nov 1982 |
Reading Contest (Championship Section)
|
Roneo | 2 | 186 | 15 |
| 7th Nov 1982 |
Watford (Championship Section)
|
Roneo | 4 | 187 | 11 |
| 23rd May 1982 |
SCABA Entertainment Contest (A Section)
|
Roneo Band | 1 | 197 | |
| 29th Nov 1981 |
City of Leicester Brass Band Festival (Championship Section)
|
Roneo | |||
| 21st Nov 1981 |
Reading Contest (Championship Section)
|
Roneo | 8 |
| Date | Contest | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 25th Feb 2018 | French National Brass Band Championship (Excellence Division) | Brass Band Côtes et Cuivres |
| 25th Feb 2018 | French National Brass Band Championship (Honours Division) | Paris Brass Band |
| 24th Feb 2018 | French National Brass Band Championship (First Division) | Brass Band Accords |
| 24th Feb 2018 | French National Brass Band Championship (Third Division) | Brass Band Lorient Bretagne Sud |
| 24th Feb 2018 | French National Brass Band Championship (Second Division) | Brass Band du CRR de Tours |
| 27th Oct 2017 | Austrian National Championship (A Section) | Brass Band Fröschl Hall |
| 27th Nov 2016 | Belgian Nationals (Championship Division) | Brass Band Buizingen |
| 26th Nov 2016 | Belgian Nationals (Second Division) | Brassband De Grensbewoners Smeermaas |
| 26th Nov 2016 | Belgian Nationals (First Division) | Brassband Panta Rhei |
| 26th Nov 2016 | Belgian Nationals (Third Division) | United Brass |
| 18th Jun 2016 | Eidgenössisches Musikfest (First Section) | Brass Band Musikgesellschaft Reiden Brass Band Kirchenmusik Flühli |
| 18th Jun 2016 | Eidgenössisches Musikfest (Championship Section) | Fanfare Ancienne Cécilia de Chermignon |
| 6th Mar 2016 | Yorkshire Area (Championship Section) | Black Dyke |
| 5th Mar 2016 | Yorkshire Area (Second Section) | Stannington |
| 28th Nov 2015 | Scottish Open | Whitburn |
| 4th Oct 2015 | Bolsover Entertainment Contest (Fourth Section) | Cadishead Public |
| 4th Oct 2015 | Bolsover Entertainment Contest (Championship Section) | East Yorkshire Motor Services |
| 4th Oct 2015 | Bolsover Entertainment Contest (UniBrass Section) | University of Nottingham |
| 29th Nov 2014 | Belgian Nationals (Third Division) | Brassband De Grensbewoners Smeermaas vzw |
| 29th Nov 2014 | Belgian Nationals (Championship Division) | Brass Band Willebroek |
| 29th Nov 2014 | Belgian Nationals (Second Division) | Braz'Art Harelbeke |
| 29th Nov 2014 | Belgian Nationals (First Division) | Brass Band Scaldis |
| 20th Sep 2014 | Swiss Open | Brass Band 13 Etoiles |
| 28th Sep 2013 | Swiss Open | Valaisia Brass Band |
| 7th Jul 2013 | World Music Contest (WMC) (Concert Division) | Manger Musikklag |
| 6th Apr 2013 | IABCB National Band Championships (Section 1 Brass) | Downshire Brass |
| 10th Nov 2012 | International Brass Band Contest (Lower Division) | Young Brass Band Willebroek |
| 10th Nov 2012 | International Brass Band Contest (Championship Division) | Manger Musikklag |
| 3rd Nov 2012 | Siddis Brass Entertainment Contest (Elite Section) | Stavanger Brass Band |
| 19th Oct 2012 | Norwegian National Championships Qualifying Contest (Elite Division) | Jaren Hornmusikkforening |
| 7th Oct 2012 | Bolsover Entertainment Contest (Unregistered section) | Loxley Silver |
| 7th Oct 2012 | Bolsover Entertainment Contest (4th Section) | Market Rasen (RESDEV) |
| 7th Oct 2012 | Bolsover Entertainment Contest (2nd Section) | Strata Brass |
| 6th Oct 2012 | Bolsover Festival Charity Reunion Entertainment Contest | Masson Mills |
| 22nd Sep 2012 | Swiss Open | Brass Band Treize Etoiles |
| 3rd Mar 2012 | Yorkshire Area (Second Section) | Clifton & Lightcliffe |
| 26th Nov 2011 | Scottish Open | Tongwynlais Temperance Band |
| 20th Nov 2011 | Brass In Concert | Leyland |
| 24th Sep 2011 | Yamaha Swiss Open Contest | Brassband Bürgermusik Luzern |
| 21st May 2011 | French Open (First Division) | Brass Band Brassage |
| 21st May 2011 | French Open (Second Division) | Mons St. Georges BrassBand |
| 21st May 2011 | French Open (Elite Division) | Brass Band Willebroek |
| 25th Sep 2010 | Swiss Open | Brass Band Bürgermusik Luzern |
| 17th Apr 2010 | North American Championships (First Section) | Central Ohio Brass Band |
| 17th Apr 2010 | North American Championships (Championship Section) | Fountain City Brass Band |
| 7th Mar 2010 | Yorkshire Area (Fourth Section) | Worsbrough Brass |
| 24th Apr 2009 | Grenland International Brass Festival (First Division) | Sola Brass Band |
| 24th Apr 2009 | Grenland International Brass Festival (Elite Division) | Manger Musikklag |
| 22nd Mar 2009 | London and Southern Counties (Championship Section) | Redbridge Brass |
| 21st Mar 2009 | London and Southern Counties (Second Section) | East London Brass |
| 18th Jan 2009 | Butlins Mineworkers (Championship Section) | Redbridge Brass |
| 2009 | Grenland International Brass Festival (Second Division) | Rong Brass |
| 25th May 2008 | International Masters | Desford Colliery Band |
| 9th Nov 2007 | Swedish National Championship (A Class) | Windcorp Brass Band |
| 5th May 2007 | European Championships (B Section) | Brass Band Frener-Reifer Pfeffersberg |
| 5th May 2007 | European Championships | Brass Band Willebroek |
| 11th Sep 2005 | Flemish Open Brass Band Championship (A-Section) | Brassband Willebroek |
| 11th Sep 2005 | Flemish Open Brass Band Championship (C-Section) | Brassband Bacchus |
| 10th Sep 2005 | Flemish Open Brass Band Championship (B-Section) | Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern B |
| 10th Sep 2005 | Flemish Open Brass Band Championship (D-Section) | Brass Band Heist |
| 30th Apr 2005 | European Championships | Black Dyke |
| 28th Nov 2004 | Swiss National Championships (Excellence Section) | Brass Band Treize Etoiles |
| 18th Sep 2004 | British Open | Fodens Richardson |
| 12th Jun 2004 | Euro Brass (A-Group) | De Bazuin Oenkerk |
| 12th Jun 2004 | Euro Brass (C-Group) | Cologne Concert Brass |
| 6th Dec 2003 | Dutch Nationals (Championship Division) | Brass Band De Waldsang |
| 13th Sep 2003 | British Open | Yorkshire Building Society |
| 7th Dec 2002 | Dutch Nationals (Championship Division) | Provinciale Brassband Groningen |
| 24th Nov 2002 | Belgian Nationals (Championship Division) | Brass Band Willebroek |
| 24th Nov 2002 | Belgian Nationals (First Division) | Brass band Leieland |
| 24th Nov 2002 | Belgian Nationals (Third Division) | Brassband Euterpe |
| 24th Nov 2002 | Belgian Nationals (Second Division) | Brass band Campine |
| 4th May 2002 | European Championships | Yorkshire Building Society |
| 25th Apr 2002 | Grenland International Brass Festival (Elite Division) | Stavanger Brass Band |
| 10th Nov 2001 | Reading Contest | Redbridge Brass |
| 10th Feb 2001 | Norwegian National Championships (Elite Section) | Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag |
| 10th Feb 2001 | Norwegian National Championships (Division 2) | Alexander Brass Band |
| 5th Mar 2000 | Yorkshire Area (Championship Section) | Yorkshire Building Society |
| 1997 | Flicorno d'Oro | Oberaargauer Brass Band |
| 17th Nov 1996 | Brass In Concert | Williams Fairey |
| Jul 1995 | New Zealand National Championships (A Grade) | H&H Cougar |
| 28th May 1995 | All England Masters | Britannia Building Society |
| 15th Oct 1994 | National Championship of Great Britain (Championship Section Final) | Black Dyke Mills |
| 30th Apr 1994 | West of England Area (Second Section) | Southampton Central |
| 26th Jun 1993 | BBC Radio Wales Band of the Year | Tredegar Town |
| 30th May 1993 | All England Masters | Brighouse & Rastrick |
| 4th Oct 1992 | National Championship of Great Britain (First Section Final) | British Telecom |
| 17th Nov 1991 | Brass In Concert | Leyland DAF |
| 6th Oct 1991 | National Youth Brass Band Championships | West Lothian |
| 14th Apr 1991 | Milton Keynes Brass Band Festival (Championship Section) | British Steel Stainless Dodworth |
| 9th Feb 1991 | Norwegian National Championships (Division 1) | Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag |
| 8th Feb 1991 | Norwegian National Championships (Division 3) | Sem Musikkorps |
| 18th Nov 1990 | Brass In Concert | Britannia Building Society |
| 11th Feb 1990 | Milton Keynes Brass Band Festival (Second Section) | Sovereign Brass |
| 22nd Apr 1989 | Challenging Brass | Staines Brass |
| 5th Dec 1987 | Wessex Brass Band Association Winter Contest (Championship Section) | Woodfalls |
| 5th Dec 1987 | Wessex Brass Band Association Winter Contest (Third Section) | Ryde Concert |
| 5th Dec 1987 | Wessex Brass Band Association Winter Contest (Youth Section) | Army Junior School of Music |
| 29th Nov 1987 | Belgian Nationals (First Division) | |
| 29th Nov 1987 | Belgian Nationals (Championship Division) | Brass Band Willebroek |
| 29th Nov 1987 | Belgian Nationals (Second Division) | Jeugdbrassband Midden-Brabant |
| 1st Mar 1987 | London and Southern Counties (Fourth Section) | Sandy Silver |
| 29th Nov 1986 | Belgian Nationals (Championship Division) | Brass Band Willebroek |
| 29th Nov 1986 | Belgian Nationals (Second Division) | Jeugdbrassband Midden-Brabant |
| 29th Nov 1986 | Belgian Nationals (First Division) | Jeugdbrassband Kempenzonen |
| 8th Nov 1986 | Danish National Championship (Championship Division) | Hjørring Blæseorkester |
| 6th Oct 1985 | National Youth Brass Band Championships | West Lothian Schools |
| 8th Dec 1984 | Dutch Nationals (Championship Division) | Soli Deo Gloria |
| 17th Apr 1983 | Belgian Nationals (First Division) | Brassband Terpsichore |
| 17th Apr 1983 | Belgian Nationals (Championship Division) | Brass Band Midden-Brabant |
| 17th Apr 1983 | Belgian Nationals (Second Division) | Brassband Sonevole |
| 18th Nov 1978 | Belgian Nationals (Championship Division) | Kortrijk Brass Band |
| 18th Nov 1978 | Belgian Nationals (First Division) | Brassband Terpsichore |
| Name | Composer | Arranger | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birdland | Josef Zawinul | Philip Sparke | |
| Cuban Overture | George Gershwin | Philip Sparke | 2010 |
| Huntingdon Celebrations | Philip Sparke | ||
| Hymn Tune: The Old 100th | Louis Bourgeois | Philip Sparke | None |
| Mexican Rhapsody | Jack Trombey | Philip Sparke | |
| Music from Tombstone | Bruce Broughton | Philip Sparke | 2013 |
| Music [Miles arr. Sparke] | John Miles | Philip Sparke | 1982 |
| Pastime with Good Company - Henry VIII. | Philip Sparke | 2003 |