Fanfare

Mixing drums and metals in a fast-paced concert opener, Jonathan Ovalle has another great, well-balanced percussion ensemble. “Fanfare” features common keyboard metals alongside timpani, snare drums, bass drum, and additional accessories in an accessible work that allows for pairs of individuals to shine. The piece begins with two main compositional elements that are featured throughout, massive impacts, and duple versus triple rhythmic interplay. “Fanfare” twists and winds between impacts and melodic moments, so the energy is not held high throughout, making for more poignant moments and memorable melodies.

Ovalle has several different levels of difficulty within the piece, helping with part assignments if your ensemble has a large array of abilities. The timpani and chimes are featured heavily, with some tuning required for the timpanist, making this one of the more difficult parts. The vibraphone part requires four mallets for chords, but that part along with the bells and crotales — using only the lower octave — are more pattern-based, perfect for allowing a less comfortable mallet player to grow. The snare drum parts are nearly identical to each other, with a few exceptions, and have some fast rhythms throughout, creating small challenges. This leaves the additional five players on accessory instruments with significantly fewer notes to play, yet filling a fundamental role in creating a wall of sound.

At just under two minutes, “Fanfare” is a quick, thrill ride, serving as a great concert opener for a high school or university. The varying difficulties in parts and relatively straightforward instrumentation allow for a wide assortment of groups to perform and enjoy this music. With melodic moments and heavy hitting drum impacts, this piece will surely kick off your show with a bang.

—Matthew Geiger
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 1, February 2022