Explore Kenneth Hesketh's new wind band commission, A Pageant of Figures and Passing Bells, inspired by the Prague Orloj and set to premiere in July 2026.

The modern wind band is no longer just an educational medium, but a primary force in the global art scene, serving as a vibrant, breathing vessel for our most complex human emotions and meaningful cultural narratives.
Professional concert works for wind bands composed in the last 10 years, focusing on significant contemporary art music and major commissions.







Kenneth Hesketh's latest masterpiece is titled A Pageant of Figures and Passing Bells. This significant commission by the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) is a five-movement suite designed for a Grade 5 ensemble. The work transforms the mechanical nature of a music box and astronomical clocks into a lush, coloristic canvas, representing a pinnacle of contemporary art music for the modern wind band medium.
The piece was initially sparked by Hesketh's fascination with a fifteen-note music box and his lifelong interest in horology. Specifically, the work draws inspiration from the Prague Orloj, the world-renowned astronomical clock. In this composition, the symphonic wind band mimics the machinery of these mechanical devices, with the music reflecting the carved wooden figures and the rhythmic passage of time.
A Pageant of Figures and Passing Bells is scheduled to make its world debut in July 2026. The premiere will take place in Rio de Janeiro as part of a massive commission by the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. This event highlights the global reach of Kenneth Hesketh’s work and its importance within the international community of contemporary symphonic wind bands.
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