A Mendota, IL native and Professor of Composition at Southern Illinois University, Archer titled her work Fanfare Politeia. Translated from Plato’s Latin term for “republic,” the work “celebrates our traditions of a free and fair election and of a peaceful transfer of power,” concepts that seem foreign to outgoing president Donald Trump.
Archer joins the ranks of composers Leonard Bernstein and John Williams who have previously written works for the executive branch. Under the direction of Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the President’s Own will perform Archer’s composition.
“This is an incredible honor,” Archer says in a press release. “If you had told my 20-year-old self that someday the Marine Band would play my music, much less for a presidential inauguration, I would never have believed it.”
Murphy Music Press which will make the composition available to purchase following the Inauguration. Murphy Music Press has worked closely with Archer in the representation of her new works for concert band since 2016.
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This article appears in Jan 13-26, 2021.