Randall Standridge Fanfare for the 16th Empire - Standridge - Concert Band (Flex) - Gr. 1.5

Composer: Randall D. Standridge
Format: Score and Parts
Instrumentation: Concert Band (Flex Series)
Level: 1.5

Educational goals of the work:

• Rhythmic stability and vocabulary in regards to performing 16th notes
• Articulation differences between: Tenuto, Accents, Staccatos, slurs
• Noticeable dynamic shaping

For those of you that are unaware, I was a band director for twelve years. During my time in that occupation, I created many works that had specific educational goals, but would also fit into our concert repertoire as, what I hoped, would be engaging pieces for both the players and the audience. I always struggled to find music that introduced new concepts in achievable, yet meaningful, ways.

Fanfare for the 16th Empire is a concert fanfare for young ensembles that serves many purposes. It is primarily intended as a tool to develop young players' abilities to correctly time, articulate, and perform sixteenth notes. Secondly, it is intended to be an exciting work that makes the students run to rehearsal, slinging their book-bags across the room in their hurry to get their instruments out and get seated, ready to play. Lastly, it was a chance for me to satisfy both the educator and composer sides of my personality, as the work is a fanfare for an imaginary "lost" empire, full of kings, warriors, vast armies, and adventurous terrain.

I hope you and your performers enjoy exploring sixteenth notes together, and I hope it makes your day a little brighter.

Peace, Love, and Music

- Randall Standridge