Dallas Winds Brass Fanfare Competition

Since 2000 the Dallas Winds has maintained a tradition of performing brass fanfares 15 minutes prior to each subscription concert. Patrons eagerly gather in the lobby to hear these fanfares that have become an important part of our concert experience.

Composers of all ages are encouraged to submit their original, unpublished fanfares as specified below. Winning compositions will be credited in the Dallas Winds concert program. Eight fanfares will be selected by screening committee for performance during the upcoming season.

2024 Fanfare Contest Submission Rules

Submissions must be received (time-stamped or postmarked) by July 15, 2024.

Email your submission to:

To: [email protected]
Subject Line: 2024-25 Dallas Winds Call for Fanfares

All submissions must include:

    1. Score and complete parts in PDF format
    2. Audio recording in MP3 format
    3. Cover sheet with composer’s name, mailing address, e-mail address and telephone

Maximum instrumentation:

      • 6 Trumpet
      • 5 Horn
      • 2 Tenor Trombone
      • 1 Bass Trombone
      • 2 Euphonium
      • 2 Tuba
      • Percussion selected from the following: 1 snare drum, 1 bass drum, cymbals, 2 timpani.

Fanfares must be no longer than 3:30 minutes in length.

The performance venue should be considered when writing your fanfare. The Meyerson Symphony Center lobby is a large space with marble and other acoustically reflective surfaces. Reverberant ring lasts several seconds. Video recordings of several past winners are featured on our Facebook page – please use these to make wise decisions regarding the style and orchestration of your fanfare. For further information or questions, email us at [email protected].

Previous Fanfare Contest Winners

2022-23 Fanfare Winners

Fanfare for the New Sun – Aaron Houston (10/18/2022) Legacy – BJ Brooks (11/15/2022) I Saw Three Ships – John K. Evans (12/21/2022) Awake! – Kyle E. Henkel (2/21/2023) Silver Fanfare – JaRod Hall (3/24/2023) So We Meet Again – Andrew Lawson...

2019 Fanfare Winners

Fanfare for Earthrealm – Salvador Alan Jacobo; Fanfare for a New Day – Kevin Poelking; Titanium Fanfare – Jon Bubbett; Procession to the Skies – Keaton Ray Marek; For Uncommon Valor – Andrew E. Lawson; Land of the Free, Home of the Brave – Kent Phillip Baker; Lest We Forget – Tyler Arcari

2018 Fanfare Winners

Adventus – David Lovrien; COMMUTE Fanfare – Costas Dafnis; Canyon’s Edge Fanfare – Heather Ellis Koehn; Angels Fanfare – John Evans; Young Voices – Harrison J. Collins; Field Day Fanfare – Christopher Lowry; Rise Up – Brooke Pierson; Eternal Conquerors – Jackson A. Anderson

2017 Fanfare Winners

Diamond Flight – Joshua Hobbs; Adventure Awaits – Christian Kolo; Fanfare, “Die Helden” – Onsby C. Rose; Forging an Icon – Tara Islas; The Eternity Gate – Kent Philip Baker; The Pure in Heart – Thomas Singletary

2016 Fanfare Winners

To The Stars – Christian Kolo; You Are Cordially Invited – Michael Markowski; Ascent to the Summit – Tara Islas; A Christmas Fanfare –James Beckel, Jr.; Mach 10 – Andrew E. Lawson; Winds of Niagara – Benjamin Yeo; To Be Free – Joanne Harris; The Tannhauser Gate – Kent Philip Baker

2015 Fanfare Winners

Unveiling, by Brian Sadler; Resonances, by Christian Guillen; Valiant, by Christian Kolo; October Fanfare, by Gregory Good; Fireworks, by Kevin Day; Salute! by Jeff Jordan; Déjà vu Fanfare, by Trevor Rundell

2014 Fanfare Winners

Russell Powell – Fanfare for Brass; Andrew D. Herring – The Forging of Mjolnir; Joseph Turrin – Fanfare a la Carte; Chuck Mandernach – Fanfare and Interlude; Tyler S. Grant – Panoramic Fanfare; Christopher Kyle Green – Ultraplex; R. Ward Miller – Change Ringing; Mike Forbes – Commemorative Fanfare

2013 Fanfare Winners

Gary Gazlay, Psalmos; Christopher Marshall, Heat Shimmer; John Michael Davis, Southern Harmony; Chuck Mandernach, Heroes; Josh Hobbs, Three Ring; Andrew D. Herring, Ad Infinitum et Ultra; Brandon Maahs, Invictus: Fanfare for Uncommon Heroes; David Nicolette, Dallas Fanfare No. 1

2012 Fanfare Winners

Overdrive – Jeff Jordan; Fanfarest of the Fair – Michael Mikulka; Fanfare from the Hiawatha Line – Christopher Danforth; American Fanfare – Robert W. Gillam; Exulto – Gary Gazlay; Sir Richard’s Fanfare – Scott Pierson; Prelude to a New Beginning – Mike Forbes

2011 Fanfare Winners

Steve Smith – Capilano Fanfare; Taylor A. Goodson – Fanfare For a New Beginning; Robert Bruns – Peregrine Flight; Mike Forbes – Festival Fanfare; Henry Dorn – Shadows; Ralph R. Hays –Fanfare MMX; and Daniel M. Pfannstiel – Apollonian Ascent

2010 Fanfare Winners

Fanfare Antiphonal Vox Gabrieli – Jim Colonna; Foozle – Hermes Camacho; Fanfare Royale – Kevin L. Gibbs; Water Fanfare – Joseph Spaniola; Heroic Fanfare – Scott M. Copeland; Pavillons en l’ air – J. M. David; Fanfare to “Hell’s Angels” – Kevin Scott