SIUE’s Archer Composes Fanfare for Biden Inauguration Ceremony
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Professor of Composition Dr. Kim Archer, was selected by the President’s Own United States Marine Band to compose a new fanfare to underscore the program for Joe Biden’s Presidential Inauguration ceremony tomorrow.
The Mendota native and professor in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences Department of Music, entitled her work Fanfare Politeia. Translated from Plato’s Greek term for “Republic,” the work celebrates the United States’ traditions of a free and fair election, and of a peaceful transfer of power.
Archer joins the ranks of iconic composers Leonard Bernstein and John Williams who have previously penned works for the executive branch.
“This is an incredible honor,” Archer said. “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.”
The President’s Own Marine Band has performed at Presidential Inaugurations since 1801, when Thomas Jefferson was sworn into office in Washington, D.C., the first inauguration at the nation’s capital.
Under the direction of Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the President’s Own will perform Archer’s composition at the event to be broadcast on Wednesday, Jan. 20. For more information on the selection process, visit youtube.com.
Archer’s composition will be distributed by Murphy Music Press, a Cleveland based music publishing company, 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 she joined the catalog in 2016.
For more information, contact Archer at kim2173@aol.com, Murphy Music Press at orders@murphymusicpress.com or the U.S. Marine Band at marineband.communication@usmc.mil.
Central to SIUE’s exceptional and comprehensive education, the College of Arts and Sciences offers degree programs in the natural sciences, humanities, arts, social sciences, and communications. The College touches the lives of all SIUE students helping them explore diverse ideas and experiences, while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of the global community. Study abroad, service-learning, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities better prepare SIUE students not only to succeed in our region's workplaces, but also to become valuable leaders who make important contributions to our communities.
Photo: SIUE’s Kim Archer, professor of composition in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences Department of Music.
