Fanfare Americana

Instrumentation: 2 (=picc). 2. 2. 2. (2=cbsn). - 4. (OPTIONAL 4 wag tba/4 hn*). 3. 3. 1. - 2 perc. - timp. - strings (*the extra four Wagner Tuba/Horn parts are OPTIONAL)

perc: Crotales, Tubular Bells, Tuned Cow Bell, Untuned Cow Bell, Tam-tam, Small Tam-tam, Bass Drum

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This piece was written for the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra at the request of the conductor George Jackson to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Globe-News Centre for the Performing Arts.

This short fanfare begins with series of flared crescendos in the brass before opening up into a full orchestral tutti. The middle section is faster and more playful, with the woodwind taking centre stage, before a return to the full orchestral textures of the opening. Though this piece was written for an occasion, it’s also a celebration of the American ‘can do’ attitude, something that, as a Brit – with our dark humour and insouciant attitude – I have come to admire.

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