Celebration Fanfare (Curnow)

From Wind Repertory Project
James Curnow

James Curnow


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General Info

Year:
Duration: c. 4:25
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Manuscript
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Instrumentation

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Errata

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Program Notes

Celebration Fanfare was commissioned and dedicated to the memory of Boyd M. McKeown, former Director of Bands at Marietta High School and Music Supervisor for the Cobb County School District in Georgia by his students. Many of his students went on to outstanding careers in music performance and music education or simply continue to play their instruments because of “Mr. Mac’s” influence.

During his time as Director of Bands, Boyd and his students were influential in establishing the melody for the Austrian Hymn as their Alma Mater at Marietta High School. In his honor the composer chose to feature this melody as the basis for an extended, exuberant and celebratory fanfare. It was Franz Joseph Haydn’s (Austrian composer, 1732-1809) String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76, (The Emperor Quartet) which provided the melody for the national anthem of Austria for more than a century. The work draws its nickname from that melody, composed specifically for the Austrian monarchy and thus known as the “Emperor’s Hymn” (God Save Emperor Franz), which forms the foundation of the second movement of the quartet. The hymn was first performed in February 1797, and the quartet was completed later that year. This majestic melody has also been used frequently as hymns, national anthems and alma maters world-wide.

All of the original motifs and new melodic content written by the composer were created from Haydn’s hymn and developed as fanfares and flourishes in introductory, developmental and transitional passages. Joyful and energetic music is a trademark of James Curnow’s, music and he is honored to have been commissioned to write this celebratory fanfare as a tribute to the life of his friend, Boyd McKeown.

- Program Note from Cobb Wind Ensemble concert program, December 20, 2018


Media

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State Ratings

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Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


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Resources

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