Fanfare For The Saints: 2nd B-flat Trumpet

Mekealian captures the swagger and joy of a New Orleans standard without asking your developing band to play above their level. Every section of the band gets musical moments that matter, and the expressive marks guide students toward the character and style that make this arrangement sing. It's a confident opener that audiences recognize immediately.

A majestic reimagining of a beloved tune. The arrangement has pageantry and lift without losing the warmth that makes When The Saints Go Marching In resonate across generations. Students feel the pride of playing something both familiar and freshly imagined.

Developing concert bands ready to play something recognizable and stylistically aware. This works for groups at the Grade 2.5 level who have solid fundamentals and are beginning to grasp expressive playing beyond note accuracy.

• Balance the harmonic colors in the contrasting sections by having your woodwinds and brass speak independently rather than blending into one mass of sound.
• Shape the expressive marks with intention. They're not decorative; they're part of the arrangement's personality and help students understand how to voice a melody.
• Keep the forward momentum steady even when shifting between sections. The transitions should feel like a natural conversation, not a stop-and-start.

Program this as your concert opener to set an energetic, joyful tone from the first moments. It's substantial enough to command attention but doesn't exhaust your band before the main repertoire. Works equally well in festival settings where you want to make an impression quickly.

• Reading expressive markings and translating them into tonal and rhythmic choices
• Balancing individual section voices within a larger ensemble texture
• Understanding stylistic interpretation of familiar melodies
• Sustaining forward motion through contrasting sections