Fanfare & Flying Theme from ET: Brass Band Score & Parts

Williams' ET themes are instantly recognizable and emotionally direct, which makes them tremendously rewarding to rehearse and perform. The brass writing sits naturally in the middle-to-upper register of your ensemble, giving every section meaningful material without extreme technical demands. A piece like this reminds your students why they fell in love with music in the first place.

The opening fanfare has ceremonial weight and wonder, announcing something monumental. The flying theme that follows is buoyant and soaring, capturing the magic of a bicycle lifting into the starlit sky, with a melody that hovers just above the harmonic support beneath it.

This score works beautifully for intermediate to advanced brass bands looking to build audience connection through beloved film music. It's ideal for players who've developed solid fundamentals and are ready to shape phrasing and balance across a full ensemble.

• Shape the opening fanfare with clear articulation and unified rhythmic precision; the impact depends entirely on ensemble cohesion in those first bars.
• Balance the soloistic passages in the flying theme so that the melody sings above the supporting brass without drowning out harmonic movement.
• Use the natural phrasing of Williams' writing to guide your tempos; resist the urge to rush into the flying sections, as the magic lives in unhurried momentum.
• Pay attention to dynamics markings carefully; Williams often uses subtle gradient shifts that prevent the piece from feeling one-dimensional.

This piece opens doors to concert programs that reach beyond traditional brass repertoire; it pairs well with other accessible, high-impact film music or classical standards. Consider programming it as a first-half finale or as an accessible encore that resonates with audiences of all ages.

• Balancing solo and tutti textures within a section
• Shaping long melodic lines with consistent phrasing
• Managing dynamic contrast across a full ensemble
• Responding to film music orchestration principles