Work
A Christmas Fanfare
for two treble-voice choirs, SATB choir, brass trio and orchestra
About
This short work was written at the request of Rachel Young, conductor of Auckland Youth Choir. The choir's 2006 Christmas concert was to also involve the Auckland Girls Choir, Auckland Boys Choir, and Aotea Youth Symphony Orchestra. A work which could open the concert, involve all performers, and make use of the performance space was needed. And it had to be easy to learn and quick to put together!
After considering various texts I approached noted New Zealand hymn writer Marnie Barrel to ask if she had anything suitable as a text. She very kindly wrote the text that I used for the work. Each choir has an energetic presentation of a verse which describes some of the features and feelings of Christmas. This is followed by an Alleluia. Towards the end of the work, the Alleluia becomes the basis of a canon for all the choirs along with the orchestra.
Commissioned note
Written for Rachel Young , conductor of Auckland Youth Choir
Text note
Text by Marnie Barrel