Fanfare for Democracy

Description

Fanfare for Democracy

For brass ensemble, concert band, or orchestra
Duration: 3′

Premiered on January 20, 2021 at the United States Capitol, for the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Performed by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, and conducted by Col. Jason K. Fettig.

The orchestral version was commissioned by an orchestra from each of the 50 states, plus Washington D.C.. and debuted by the  Boston Pops on their annual televised July 4 broadcast, 2021, with Keith Lockhart conducting.

Concert band premiere by Rhode Island College – Joseph Foley, director

Instrumentation:
Brass ensemble instrumentation (available in Eb or F): 4 C trumpets, 2 french horns, 2 trombones, bass trombone, and tuba (OPT Horn 3 provided for Tpt 4)
timpani, percussion (3 players) Cymb a2., Suspended Cymb., Snare Drum, Bass Drum, and Tam Tam

Orchestra version instrumentation: 2222 – 4331 – perc – hp – strings

Concert Band instrumentation: piccolo, flute 1-2, oboe 1-2, bassoon 1-2, Bb clarinet 1-2, bass clarinet, alto sax 1-2, tenor sax, bari sax, timp., percussion (3 players)

Program notes:

During a walk on an unusually warm Saturday, after the presidential election of 2020, I felt a huge sense of relief in the air surrounding an affirmation of our democratic process. Everyone was outside and there was palpable electricity.

I began to hear a fanfare in my head and I couldn’t shake it. I wrote it down later that afternoon in an attempt to capture the spirit of hope espoused in millions of Americans. Out of respect for our country’s musical history, there are subtle hints to our National Anthem (bass line at measure 17), and to Copland’s most well-known “Fanfare to the Common Man” (penultimate measure in percussion).

A few days later I sent it to Jason Fettig, the director at “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. Much to my delight and surprise, he responded that he would program it for use during the Prelude Concert at the 59th Inaugural Ceremony to be held at the US Capitol, to honor President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris.

I was absolutely thrilled beyond words that this fanfare, written out of pure inspiration in response to a moment in history, was premiered at one of our country’s most important moments in history.

Jim Stephenson – Music composed on November 7, 2020