Frenchman Jules Verne was a pioneer in science fiction during the late 19th Century, penning some classic stories such as Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Around the World in 80 Days – both of which have already been the subject of brass band test-pieces. It was therefore natural for me to choose Verne’s 1869 watery magnum opus as the subject for this piece to which there are five sections, as well as an introduction and a finale.

I. THE NAUTILUS. After a mysterious introduction we are introduced to The Nautilus – a fantastical submarine.
II. THE CORAL KINGDOM. We visit awe-inspiring underwater coral formations.
III. SQUID ATTACK. The Nautilus is attacked by a school of giant squid, or ‘devilfish’.
IV. CAPTAIN NEMO. Captain Nemo is a loner and an eccentric. Some say he is a madman. Soloists of the band help to uncover the character of this enigmatic but powerful figure.
V. MAELSTROM. The Nautilus is dragged into the ocean’s deadliest whirlpool but Captain Nemo lives to fight another day.