Dancing in The Park, Peter Graham. Brass Band

Originally conceived for Brass Band and Ballet, this adaptation was specially prepared for the finals of 1997 National Brass Band Championship of Great Britain, 3rd Section.

The piece takes the form of a set of fantasy variations on the theme I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls, the famous aria from Balfe's opera The Bohemian Girl, a typical piece of mid-19th century bandstand repertoire.

From the Sunday morning bells at the outset the activities of the day unfold; Children playing, sounds from the bandstand floating in the breeze, passing horse-drawn carriages, a grand waltz and street entertainers dancing a "lop-sided" jig. A recurring love theme gives a young courting couple the opportunity to experience a wide range of emotions culimating the moment of reconciliation in the final section.