Reserve your place for our annual Play-Day and Teatime Concert!
Sunday 5th October, Victoria Hall, Bolton
Click HERE for more information
Music and film
Film music is popular with our member orchestras. We have a comprehensive collection in our library worth exploring.
Sir Malcolm Arnold
Arnold was one of the leading British composers of the second half of the 20th century. Born on 21st October 1921, in Northampton, he was the Great-Grandson of William Hawes, the head of all music for the Chapels Royal and St Paul’s.
After a successful career as the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s first trumpet, he became a full-time composer in 1948. Amongst his early successes were the overture Beckus the Dandipratt, the two sets of English Dances, the overture Tam O’Shanter and the ballet Homage to the Queen. He went on to become a successful composer of film scores, including the hugely successful Bridge on the River Kwai directed by David Lean, for which Sir Malcolm won an Oscar. We have a version of this work in our library.
Contact our Library team for further information.
Women composers
We are exploring the many works in our catalogue by women composers and arrangers.
With over 100 women represented, there is plenty to discover.
Dorothy Atkinson
Dorothy Atkinson, born in 1893, composed the suite Summer Sketches (whose movements were Thistledown, Wild Roses, Golden Bees and Swallows) and evocative single movements Moths Around a Candle, described as a "valse caprice", Indian Summer, Sentry Go and Dance of the May Flies. She also had success with her light-hearted songs including The Harvester, The Ploughman, Winklepicker Bill, When Grannie Was a Girl, O Golden Dawn, Homage and, from the BBC radio show "Watch Your Fancy", Up With the Lark.
We have several of her works in our Library.
Search our female composers listing - https://www.lightmusicsociety.com/services
Listen…
What makes your audiences smile!
Here's a suggestion that would make a perfect programme filler or encore.
Man in a Hurry - Ronald Binge
Repertoire ideas
Here are works being borrowed from our library by member groups:
Fiddle Faddle - Leroy Anderson
St. Boniface Down - Trevor Duncan
Cinderella: A Phantasy - Eric Coates
Coronation Scot - Vivian Ellis
A Summer Place - Steiner arr. Pollen
Our Classical World
Our library is not just about Light Music. We have a significant collection of lighter opuses from the western classical tradition.
Here is a suggestion:
Composer Spotlight
Trevor Duncan
Trevor Duncan (1924–2005) was an English composer, particularly noted for his Light Music compositions. Born in London, and largely self-taught, he originally composed as a sideline while working for the BBC. In the UK, he is well known for pieces such as High Heels and the March from A Little Suite, all of which gained fame as television and radio themes.
Here are some other works by Duncan which are well worth performing.
Contact us on lmsliborders@gmail.com for more information.
Light Music News…
We'd like to recommend that readers investigate Malcolm Lewis' broadcasts on Cirencester Radio. The "Limelight" show this week featured the music of Eric Coates you can listen online via the link below.
https://www.cirencesterradio.co.uk/listen-again/malcolm-lewis/
Savings Available
Can your group benefit from ordering more orchestral sets from LMS?
Music groups can order multiple orchestral sets at a reduced rate. Here are the details.
Orchestral Music sets for sale
Is your music group looking to buy some orchestral music?
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