Aaron Copland was a Modern Day composer: Modern music! The greats include Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, Prokofiev, and Britain’s favorite Benji. What’s that noise?! It’s sometimes rather strange when atonality pervades most every range. Ohhhh, this is the musical timeline! It starts with the Early Age. Then it’s Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical, Romantic, and not to forget the Modern Day!

Fanfares are musical compositions used to announce very important people like Kings and Queens. Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, though, is a fanfare to celebrate people all over the world. Copland composed this piece for brass and percussion instruments (yes, including the best instrument in the orchestra!). You will hear the opening statement played by the bass drum and the gong followed by the trumpets playing a powerful theme. The second time we hear the theme, it is played on the French horn (!!!) which makes it sound regal. The third time the theme is played, we hear the trombones and timpani added. The tubas are added the fourth time.

Copland wanted his fanfare to be special and important. He makes the music grow and grow by adding more and more instruments every time we hear the theme. As you listen to this, pretend that you are a Very Important Person (VIP). Can you walk like a VIP? What would your face look like as a VIP? Can you dress up in an outfit a VIP might wear? But remember in the end that Aaron Copland wrote this for people all over the world, not just Kings and Queens. Enjoy listening to this fanfare!

Review questions:

1. What is the name of this composer and which musical era is he from?

2. What is the name of this piece?

3. What is a fanfare?

4. Which instruments play this piece?

5. Can you describe the mood of this piece?