Old Sarum is an ancient hill fortress situated high above Salisbury Plain. It was the site of the original Salisbury until the town moved to New Sarum, modern Salisbury. Built in the Iron Age, Romans, Saxons and Normans have all left their mark.

The opening of the piece suggests the preparation for battle in the early morning mist, followed by the battle itself. Bars 75 – 79 may be extended by the percussionists, improvising in a way that could indicate a dual or fight between themselves. This doesn’t have to stay in strict time although the correct pulse would need to return before the ensemble enter.

Old Sarum was written for Wells Cathedral School Saxophone Choir and the first performance was at the Clarinet and Saxophone Congress in Cardiff in 2002.

The E-Edition PDF bundle comes with the following parts:

Alto Saxophone 1 (with optional doubling Soprano Saxophone)
Alto Saxophone 2
Alto Saxophone 3
Alto Saxophone 4
Tenor Saxophone 1
Tenor Saxophone 2
Baritone Saxophone
Percussion 1 (Concert Bass Drum, Bongos (High & low), Snare Drum, Tenor Drum, Crash Cymbal)
Percussion 2 (Tam Tam or large Ride Cymbal, 4 x Toms, Crash Cymbal, Sizzle Cymbal)

“Old Sarum” is also available in hard-copy from June Emerson Wind Music.