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Hey friends,

last weekend I experienced something new (to me): Fanfare Orchestra.
These are a species of wind band common in Belgium and the Netherlands, and this year the first Austrian band of that kind has been founded.
Fanfare Orchestras are wind bands without woodwinds except for an extended saxophone section (2x bs, 4x ts, 5x as, 1x ss).
The clarinet parts are covered by a large flugelhorn section. (In this case: about 16-20 flgh. in a band of ca. 65).
There were 5 euphs, 5 tubas, about 7 french horns, 4-5 trombones, 6 trumpets, and a perc. section.

So the majority of instruments were conical.
Very nice overall sound, and incredible dynamics from ultra-soft and sweet to wall-rocking loud and menacing.
Cool concept.


Do you have experiences with this band format ?

It sounds a lot like the Riverside Community College Marching Band!

Errrm... not really...
Fanfare Orchestra, NOT marching band.
Concert band with different (improved ?!?) line-up, you know....

And that´s tubas, NOT Grunt-O-Phones

I'd describe a fanfare as more of a brass band with added saxes, and a free-for-all in regards to what and how many brass instruments can join in. (In fact, you can say every instrument is made out of brass except some of the percussion )
Flugelhorns replace the cornets as the main voice.
They're the result of Adolphe Sax's very lucrative exclusive deal to supply all the French army bands.