BRASS BAND: Vitae Aeternum Paul Lovatt-Cooper

Vitae Aeternum represents the first substantial composition conceived by Paul Lovaft-Cooper in his capacity as Composer in Residence' to the world famous Black Dyke Band. Vitae Aeternum meaning Eternal Life' takes its inspiration from songs composed by Ivor Bosanko and Dick Krommenhoek and is in three continuous movements.

The first begins in exhilarating fashion featuring bold pedal lines combining with syncopated rhythms and spirited motives. As the music builds in dynamic and excitement quotations from the aforementioned songs can be heard in various guises often combining with florid obligato and rhythmic figures before the first movement reaches its climax and the style transforms in preparation for the lyrical music to follow.

With the change of key comes a new beginning as vibrant bells are answered with gentle sonority before muted comets and trombones begin a distant and hauntingly beautiful chorale. Following solo lines from the flugel horn and euphoniums the music grows in richness and intensity until the flugel horn brings the music to an atmospheric close.

The final part of Vitae Aeternum' begins with an energetic and agile solo cornet line joined by various other soloists before the music builds into a tour de force finale. Using a variety of quotations in juxtaposed styles the music becomes heroic and emotive leading to a grandioso close of majestic proportions.

Vitae Aeternum was commissioned by Gerard Klauke of GK design and received its world premiere by Dr. Nicholas Childs & the Black Dyke Band at De Lawei Concert Hall in Drachten, Netherlands on August 25th 2007. It later formed the finale to Brighouse & Rastrick's 2007 Brass in Concert' winning programme and has since been embraced by other leading ensembles worldwide hcluding the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army and the Cory Band.

The songs used in Vitae Aeternum' are listed below and are published in their original entirety by Salvationist Publishing & Supplies Ltd.

About the Music
Three Salvation Army songs are featured in Vitae Aeternum:

1.God came in Jesus to live among us;
God came in Jesus to live among us was composed by Colonel Dick Krommenhoek of the Netherlands and is mostly used at Christmas time:
God came in Jesus to live among us
And he lit the light of hope again.
True light, true hope to fill our yearning;
The Light that will for ever reign.

2.I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart .
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart was also composed by Colonel Dick Krommenhoek and is taken directly from Psalm 9:1 & 2:

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of the wonderful things you have done.
I will sing with joy because of you.
I will sing praise to you, my God.

3.His Provision.
His Provision was composed by Ivor Bosanko. The music depicts the prayer written by retired General of The Salvation Army, John Gowans:

Holy Spirit! Promised presence fall on me.
Holy Spirit! Make me all I long to be.
Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit!
Give your power to me, 0 Holy Spirit.

Paul Lovatt-Cooper is Composer in Residence to the Black Dyke Band. He was born on Alderney in the Channel Islands and raised in the Salvation Army with his parents who were Officers. As a student he studied composition with Peter Graham whilst at the University of Salford.
Paul has enjoyed performances of his works all over the world, including world premiers in the UK and in countries such as Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and The United States. His works have been performed in some of the world's finest concert halls including Birmingham's Symphony Hall, Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, Perth's Concert Hall, Cardiff's St David's Hall, Holland's De Lawei Concert Hall and London's Royal Albert Hall.

He is fast becoming a sought after composer, gaining commissions from bands throughout the world, Paul has also been commissioned to write for international soloists such as David Childs, Brett Baker, Owen Farr, John Doyle and Richard Marshall. Paul currently combines the position of Head of Music at Wardle High School Performing Arts College with his love for composition.