Kay: Fanfare

by Peter B. Kay

Composer Peter B. Kay (1980-)

In celebration of our 95th year, the Spartanburg Philharmonic commissioned me to write a new work to open our first concert of the season.  When beginning a new piece, I first turn to my older sketches and pieces that I wrote early in my career. These provide a great jumping off point for me to arrange ideas I have carried with me for decades into something more complete; a musical experience that was always intended, but needed more time to grow into itself.

In 2016, I was asked to compose a short fanfare to be played in the lobby before each concert at Twichell.  The purpose was to alert patrons that the show was about to start and to find their seats.  Short and to the point, this 11-measure bugle call for two trumpets was also derived from an earlier, unused sketch.  After a season or so, the Philharmonic discontinued this practice (I’m not sure it was all that effective anyway), and the sheet music was shelved.  Now in 2023, it returns to the hall at Twichell, serving as the foundation for this new Fanfare.  

The second thing that I almost always do is to create a “playlist” of music by other composers - works that may inspire me musically or serve as models for the commissioned piece.  Though this list will undoubtedly contain some obvious sources (there are several “Fanfares” on my current listening/reading queue), there are also several that might leave an outside observer scratching their head.  What do George Gershwin, Michael Torke, Igor Stravinsky, and Eminem have in common?  (Yes, they are all represented on my playlist today, along with a smattering of film scores and symphonies!)  Whenever possible, I study the sheet music for these pieces - both with and without the music playing in the background.

Fanfare opens with a bold statement from the brass section featuring discordant tension and harmonic resolve: growth and strength.  Following this brief introduction, the music shifts to a lighthearted, cheerful, and exuberant pace. As the name suggests, the piece is designed to showcase the power of the symphony, celebrating this wonderful new chapter in our orchestra’s lifetime. My hope is that listeners will be carried on a journey, finding joy, excitement, and maybe even a little hope. So, find your seats! The next chapter in Spartanburg Philharmonic’s continuing legacy is about to begin…