DIVERSIONS ON SINE NOMINE (BB) **Major Work** (Medium)

Diversions on Sine Nomine (For All the Saints)

Composed for Brass Band by Mark Ford

Diversions on Sine Nomine is a substantial concert work for brass band, derived entirely from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ celebrated hymn tune For All the Saints. Rather than a conventional set of variations, the work unfolds as a sequence of contrasting diversions, each reimagining aspects of the melody’s character, harmony, and rhythmic potential. The opening establishes the noble and timeless quality of Sine Nomine before leading into episodes that explore a wide expressive range — from reflective and lyrical writing to passages of rhythmic energy and grandeur. Fragments of the hymn are continually transformed and re-contextualised, allowing the music to progress with clarity and purpose while maintaining a strong sense of structural coherence. Scored specifically with 3rd and 4th Section bands in mind, the work combines musical substance with practical playability. Idiomatic brass writing, transparent textures, and effective use of traditional band colours ensure musical impact without excessive technical demand. The final section brings the work to a broad and affirmative conclusion, reaffirming the dignity and enduring strength of Vaughan Williams’ original melody.

Sibelius Recording