Festival Fanfare: 15 Trumpets & Percussion Score & Parts

The antiphonal structure gives you genuine architectural drama without requiring a large concert space or complex staging. Marlatt writes for the strengths of trumpet ensembles, building momentum through layered fanfare motifs that players can hear and lock into, and the final unison statement lands with the kind of cinematic weight that audiences remember.

Festival Fanfare delivers the grandeur and pageantry of a film overture, with bright antiphonal exchanges giving way to a swelling, unified proclamation. The interplay between the three trumpet choirs creates a sense of conversation and build, culminating in a moment of collective triumph reminiscent of John Williams' most heroic writing.

This is written for trumpet ensembles with solid control and range, capable of handling the medium-difficult technical and musical demands. Festival and contest programs benefit from a centerpiece that showcases the full ensemble's power, and concert directors looking for a substantial brass feature will find this rewarding both to rehearse and to hear.

• Balance the three choirs so each fanfare motif cuts through clearly when passed between groups. Seating them in distinct areas of the stage or rehearsal space helps players track the conversation happening around them.
• Establish a strong pulse with percussion from the first rehearsal. The rhythmic foundation will anchor the trumpet lines as they trade material, especially in the faster passages.
• Shape the dynamic arc toward that final thematic statement. Resist the temptation to play at full volume early; the ensemble needs room to build tension and release it with impact at the end.
• Work the unison passages separately before bringing all three choirs together. Precision in rhythm and articulation during these moments defines whether the final fanfare feels unified or scattered.

Program this as your closing number for a brass-focused concert or as the final piece of a festival performance, where the ensemble size and cinematic impact create a satisfying capstone. It pairs well with other brass works of moderate difficulty and provides the kind of crowd-pleasing finale that works equally well in concert halls or festival competitions.

• Balancing part independence within a large ensemble
• Executing antiphonal exchanges with rhythmic precision
• Building and sustaining dynamic crescendos across multiple choirs
• Articulation and phrasing consistency across 15 players
• Reading and coordinating full ensemble scores