Eric Ball

Eric Walter John Ball (31 October 1903 – 1 October 1989) was a British composer, arranger and conductor of brass band music, described as "one of the most prolific writers and influential figures in the brass band and choral world".

Biography He was born in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, the eldest of 16 children whose parents were active in the Salvation Army. When he was a child, the family moved to Surrey, Kent, and London. He learned piano and organ and in 1919 started work in the Salvation Army musical instrument department in central London, soon moving to the Musical Editorial Department as a composer. He became an officer in the Salvation Army, and in 1928 re-established the Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (S. P. & S.) Band.

He died in Bournemouth in 1989, aged 85. Tournament for Brass Morning Rhapsody Sunset Rhapsody Festival Music Indian Summer Song of Courage Glory to His Name The Prospect Before Us Main Street

National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain A number of Ball's pieces have been selected as test pieces for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, both at the area contests and the national finals.

Several of his arrangements have also been used.

Year Piece Original Composer Section Contest 1946 Eine kleine Nachtmusik Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 2nd Area 1957 Themes from Symphony No. 9 Ludwig van Beethoven Ch Area 1960 Themes from Symphony No. 5 Ludwig van Beethoven Ch Area 1964 A Rural Suite Charles Woodhouse 4th Area 1965 Themes from Symphony No. 1 Ludwig van Beethoven Ch Area 1967 Eine kleine Nachtmusik Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 3rd Area 1970 Themes from Symphony No. 9 Ludwig van Beethoven 2nd Final 1971 Suite Gothique Léon Boëllmann 2nd Area 1978 Four Dances from Checkmate Arthur Bliss Ch Final 1981 Froissart Overture Edward Elgar 2nd Final 1983 A French Suite Alexandre Boëly 3rd Final 1995 Suite Gothique Léon Boëllmann 3rd Final 2003 Theme and Eight Variations from Enigma Edward Elgar Ch Final

In addition, several pieces were used as the youth section area contest test piece: The Young in Heart in 1965, Petite Suite de Ballet in 1975, and Rhapsody on Negro Spirituals in 1983.