This Overture was commissioned by the Berkshire Young Musicians Trust, an educational group in the south of England. It is one of several works they commissioned to increase the amount of available repertoire for their strong wind ensemble. London-born Sparke studied at the Royal College of Music and has composed for wind and brass bands throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the U.S. --James Huff 06:30, 23 November 2008 (UTC) (from the program notes of The Claremont Winds, submitted with permission)