Written in 2025, ‘The Keeper of the Winds’ is a D-Grade/4th Section testpiece that aims to explore the use of the ‘Aeolian’ mode, all through the narrative of the story of Aeolus, the son of Hippotes, and the god and ruler of the winds encountered by Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey.

Movement one ‘Call to Arms‘ is a rich bold fanfare-style movement which leads immediately into movement two ‘The Winds of Change’ which moves along showcasing many sections of the band, but also develops our story as we go on a journey with Odysseus across the seas propelled by wind to our final destination – Aeolia, which is depicted in this piece by the movement ‘A Floating Sanctuary’, with melodies from Cornet, Flugel and Euphonium. The final movement is based on a section of the poem “To ensure safe passage home for Odysseus and his men, Aeolus gave Odysseus a bag containing all the winds, except the gentle west wind.” All but the gentle wind is a rambunctious closing movement full of vim, vigour and debauchery, evoking the spirit of pirates and sailors on the ocean propelled by Aeolus.