Fanfare

A fanfare is a short and lively piece of music that is primarily played by trumpets and other brass instruments, frequently accompanied by percussion.

It is usually played for ceremonial purposes including graduations, royal coronations or the opening of a special event.

Fanfares are often used to open many important celebrations; they have been used to start royal weddings and coronations, Olympic games and presidential inaugurations.


Listen to Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, as featured in the following YouTube video clip. It was used to begin President Barack Obama’s Inauguration in 2009.

a tribute to Aaron Copland, which also includes Fanfare for the Common Man.

When listening to the Copland’s opening to Fanfare for the Common Man, describe:

  • what are you hearing and;
  • what kind of emotions do you think the composer is trying to create.


Discuss the following three questions with your brain buddy (the person next to you:

                    • Tempo – Does it change, is it fast or slow?
                    • Dynamics – Do these differ?
                    • Why use trumpets?

Discuss your answers with the class.

Which events would you use a fanfare for? What are important musical elements of a good fanfare?

Listen to two or three more different fanfares and discuss the musical elements that all fanfares have in common.

  • The tempos are strict and the dynamics usually forte or higher.
  • Dynamics – pianissimo, piano, mezzo forte, fortissimo, and so on.


Composition Task

Task: Write a fanfare for the beginning of a special celebration.

Work with a partner to compose your celebratory fanfare motif using Note Flight.

If you already play an instrument you may compose your fanfare for that instrument or another of their choice.

  • Use notes from the C Major Arpeggio or the G Major Arpeggio
  • Try using a ‘Triplet’