Program note:

Concerto #1 starts with the sounds of the band warming up and tuning their instruments, pit-orchestra style, and this gradually molds to form the basis of the piece. It alludes to the musical process rather than the finished product. When I walk the corridors of the Conservatorium I often hear a concoction of sounds (all too familiar for any conservatoire or music school, where musicians are practicing a variety of things on their instruments). The resulting patterns from the combination of these sounds are often inspiring and represent what I wanted Concerto #1 to reflect. The harmony and form of the piece is loosely based on the well-known jazz standard The Way You Look Tonight, and the middle section (the development) is designed to feature a soloist (or soloists) with an improvised 'cadenza' over the chord sequence from this tune. - Steve Newcomb (2004)