Orchestra 9-13

6 SATBGbCb. Blues On The Hill is an easy-going blues, which Ann wrote for the Orchestra on the Hill. With its relaxed tempo and straight-quavers, it shouldn't pose too many technical challenges, despite a bit of chromatic movement here and there. Playing time is about three minutes.

11 SoSSAATTBBGbCb. Ann has packed lots of terrific tunes into a total playing time of 12 minutes. These fun and rhythmic pieces are easier than normal recorder orchestra fare, so they may appeal to orchestras looking for some lighter music which they can easily get to grips with, as well as finding favour at the 'easy recorder orchestra' events which are quickly becoming popular.

SSAATTBBGbCb. Greensleeves; She Moved Through the Fair. Arranged to supply the need for music for easy recorder orchestra. Although easy to play they produce a huge sound and are very well-received by the players!

11 SoSSAATTBBGbCb. This piece pictures the course of a river, from springs in the mountains, passing through upland valleys, dangerous rapids and serene woodlands, finally crossing the plains as a large river, which meets the sea. Ann Marshall's piece is dedicated to Dietrich Schnabel, with thanks for his constant encouragement. This 9-minute piece is of no more than moderate difficulty.

SAATBGbCb. Written for the Autumn Recorder Orchestra weekend, held at Hoddesdon for use at an easier intermediate session. Each miniature uses a small range of rhythmic figures, which occur in most or all parts. It is hence possible to rehearse those figures, so that the performance becomes more secure.

11 SoSSAATTBBGbCb. This five-minute tone poem by Ann Marshall is of no more than moderate difficulty. It suggested itself to her when visiting Goodrich (or, a thousand years ago 'Godric's') Castle, in the Wye Valley. The (Royalist) castle was besieged during the English Civil War and Alice Birch, niece of one of the besieging forces fled to the castle to be with her sweetheart. The story goes that when it was clear that the castle would fall, the two tried to flee across the River Wye on horseback, but were swept to their deaths. The story further goes that their ghosts can sometimes be seen in the castle, looking out across the valley, and that they can even sometimes be seen urging a ghostly horse into the Wye. It's a great tale, and while the piece is not supposed to represent the details of the story, hopefully it conjures up a suitable atmosphere.

Orch SoSSAATTBBGbCb. The many people who enjoy Ann's tuneful music will be eager to try this 4-movement Sinfonietta. The piece may currently occupy a category all of its own, as it is a substantial piece for orchestra which is nevertheless easy to play - it is well within the capabilities of a group such as an SRP branch. Both players and audience will warm to its sunny disposition, presented within the familiar framework of a traditional symphony.

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1 So 8xS 10xA 10xT 6xB 3xGb 2xCb. Written for the 40th anniversary concert of the Stockport Recorder College, at the request of Janice Ormerod. The Roaring Forties are the prevailing winds which whip around the southern hemisphere at 40 degrees latitude; their danger, however, is not just that the winds are strong, but that the weather is so unpredictable. So the 5-minute span is boisterous in many places, but in other places you may be able to picture the swelling ocean and even - here and there - a patch of decent weather! Four descants, four trebles and four trebles have easy parts, while the other parts are no harder than moderate.

Orch: S, SoSSAATTBBGbCb. A set of variations for recorder orchestra on the traditional Irish folk song She Moved Through The Fair. Some variations are as one might expect (such as 'waltz' and 'canon'), but many are rather surprising (such as 'reggae' and 'jazz-rock'). All parts are guaranteed a very 'different' recorder experience in this substantial (15 minute) piece. Moderately difficult in places, and needs a very good descant soloist.

Bassoon & SoSSAATTBBGbCb. Steve wrote this 6 minute rhapsody for the bassoonist Harriet Oliver and the Thames Valley Recorder Orchestra. It is scored such that the bassoon is still prominent against a regular recorder orchestra, but the piece also works well using a one-to-a-part chamber recorder orchestra. The orchestral parts are reasonably straightforward, but the bassoonist needs to be pretty good.