In 2018, Fanfare Orlando saw three performances and a recording session. Originally scored for three trumpets, four horns, 3 trombones, and tuba a new arrangement added a full SATB choir. Both were recorded by, conducted by John Sinclair.
In two minutes, “Fanfare Orlando” presents two themes. The first is an uplifting, sophisticated bugle call which is joined in counterpoint.
The second theme is a 3-note figure that imitates the three syllables of the word “Or -lan- do!”. As the work develops, the themes intertwine.
I kept the lyrics as simple as possible for general audiences to sing along. Only four words are used:
- “Orlando!” 11x
- “The City Beautiful, Orlando, Orlando” 2x
On October 17th, members of the Orlando Philharmonic recorded “Fanfare Orlando” in the acoustically excellent Tiedtke Hall on the Rollins campus. I prepared a slightly improved version shifting the opening 8th-note downbeat to an 8th-note pickup.
Rollins College music is best known for its choral and vocal program so I knew it would be an easy session for this advanced group of young musicians.
John Sinclair, thank you for your generosity!
Here is a rough mix of the recording (never published) as well as an image of the session.
Fanfare Orlando for Brass and Choir
Soon after the recording was made, my friends at IMMERSE contacted me to see if I wanted to be considered for that years downtown festival. Luckily for me, they loved the idea of combining both the Orlando Philharmonic Brass and the vocal faculty of Rollins on mics as the choir. They kindly allowed me to take a few minutes and introduce the music and teach them the song to sing along.
2018 Performances:
- Saturday, February 10th, 2018 by the OPO Brass, conducted by Paul Hostetter, Central Park in Winter Park, FL (Outdoor Family Concert)
- Monday September 17th, 2018 Recording Session Tiedtke Hall, Rollins College: the OPO Brass and the Rollins Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. John Sinclair
- Friday, October 9th, 2018 by the OPO Brass and faculty from Rollins College, Conducted by Dr. John Sinclair, Downtown for the IMMERSE festival
- Saturday, October 10th, 2018 by the OPO Brass and faculty from Rollins College, Conducted by Dr. John Sinclair, Downtown for the IMMERSE festival
In February 2022, the Orlando Philharmonic asked me to create an expanded version for their opening March 5th concert in the new world-class Steinmetz Hall, the orchestra’s new home, featuring Gil Shaham as a special guest. To make a real splash, we doubled the size of the brass section to include ten members of the Brass Band of Central Florida, a successful volunteer British Brass Band organization. The ensemble includes 4 cornets, 2 tenor horns, baritone, euphonium, and 3 tubas.