Concert Band

Fair Field Festival

Grade 5

Fair Field Festival was commissioned by the Croydon Symphonic Band to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023. They gave the premiere on 25th June that year in the second of two special anniversary concerts in Fairfield Halls, Croydon. The Fair Field (after which the concert hall in named) was an historic area of the town, famous for entertainment and social activity, hosting fairs, markets and performances.

The work opens with a brass fanfare under florid woodwind figuration. A noble chorale leads to a lively allegro vivo, which centres around a majestic horn and euphonium melody under chattering woodwinds. A second theme is first stated by trumpets and this leads to a central legato theme on horns and saxes, repeated by the trumpets. A brief allusion to the opening section leads to a full recapitulation and an energetic coda.