Fanfare for 'Our Time': Trombone 2

Grant knows exactly how to open a concert. This fanfare delivers immediate impact without leaving your musicians exhausted before the main event, which means you can program substantial works afterward without concern for stamina. The writing is energetic yet accessible at Grade 2, making it equally effective at a fall festival or spring concert.

The piece radiates celebration from its first notes, creating an atmosphere of collective achievement and forward momentum. Bright sonorities and rhythmic vitality sweep across the ensemble, conveying optimism without sentimentality.

Concert bands at the Grade 2 level, whether in middle school, high school, or community settings. This works equally well for groups preparing festival submissions or seeking an engaging opening number that builds program confidence without demanding technical sophistication.

• Balance the fanfare sections so that sustained harmonies in the lower woodwinds and brass anchor the energy without overwhelming the thematic material in the upper voices.
• Keep the tempo steady and confident; the piece's forward momentum comes from rhythmic clarity rather than rushing.
• Encourage soloists or featured sections to listen actively to ensemble landmarks so that individual lines integrate cleanly into the collective sound.

Open your concert with this fanfare to establish energy and goodwill with your audience while warming up your ensemble's ensemble cohesion. It pairs well with longer works requiring sustained focus, allowing both musicians and listeners to settle in after an invigorating opening statement.

• Ensemble balance across woodwind, brass, and percussion sections
• Rhythmic precision in marcato and legato articulations
• Maintaining consistent tempo and phrasing under energetic conditions
• Listening for harmonic support while playing thematic material