Commonwealth Fanfare

Carl Holmquist

Carl Holmquist

General Info

Year: 2022
Duration: c. 2:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Holmquist
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

• Bass Drum
• Chimes
• Crash Cymbals
• Floor Tom
• Glockenspiel
• Snare Drum
• Suspended Cymbal
• Tambourine
• Tam-Tam
• Triangle
• Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

In 2021 at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Ill., I had the pleasure of reconnecting with friend and composer Carl Holmquist. Carl and I have known each other for the past 15 years, first meeting at a conducting workshop in North Carolina. While at dinner, I mentioned to Carl that I would be conducting the Virginia All-State Concert Band (Carl lives in Virginia). Our conversation quickly shifted to the possibility of performing some of his music and the opportunity for the students of the Commonwealth to collaborate with a composer from Virginia. I asked Carl if he had a fanfare…he replied, “no.” Carl then mentioned that he wrote a work for band and chorus about Virginia. I asked him to sing the melody and upon hearing the seventh note, stopped him and yelled…”that’s it!” Thus, Commonwealth Fanfare was born.

For the next month, we collaborated via phone and text and Carl created a fanfare of which we are both proud. The title is inspired from poetry written by Carl Holmquist. The world premiere of Commonwealth Fanfare was given on April 23, 2022 by the 2022 Virginia All-State Concert Band, Dr. T. André Feagin conducting.

Commonwealth, uncommon land,
Solid ground on which we stand,
With mountains high and valleys deep,
Your beauty in our souls we keep.

Commonwealth, uncommon past,
Where echoes of old wars still last
From battles waged so long ago.
They challenge us to learn and grow.

Commonwealth, uncommon dream,
Not as distant as may seem.
If peace, goodwill and love abide,
We’ll walk together unified.

Commonwealth, uncommon home,
Far away though we may roam,
We’ll not forget the warm embrace
Of Commonwealth’s uncommon grace.

- Program Note by T. André Feagin

Media

None discovered thus far.

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• George Mason University (Fairfax, Va.) Symphonic Band (William L. Lake, Jr.) - 17 October 2022
• Central Washington University (Ellensburg) Wind Ensemble (T. Andre Feagin conductor) - 2 June 2022
• All-Virginia Concert Band, (T. André Feagin, conductor) – 23 April 2022 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by this Composer

Adaptable Music

• Cradle Moon (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
• Second to None (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
• Stomping Ground (Flex instrumentation) (2020)

All Wind Works

• The Blawenburg Quick March (2009)
• Commonwealth Fanfare (2022)
• Cradle Moon (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
• Emeritus (2015)
• From the Banks to the Blue Ridge
• Light the Way (2019)
• Murmurations
• Our Reply (2018)
• Ring Out, Wild Bells!
• Salaam (2009)
• Second to None (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
• Shining Through
• Stomping Ground (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
• Symphony No. 1 (2008)
  • Jackson Square (2008)
  • Storm (2008)
  • Lament (2008/2015)
  • Play! (2008/2015)
• When Friends Rejoice
• Within Our Reach (2019)

Resources

• Carl Holmquist, personal correspondence, October 2022
• Carl Holmquist website Accessed 16 October 2022