Kimberly Archer (b. 1973) is an American composer of music primarily for wind bands. Her works have been commissioned, recorded, and played by some of the world’s top ensembles. Among her many acclaimed works are 3 full symphonies for wind band and nearly a dozen works for young band. Originally from Illinois, she studied music education at Florida State University before completing graduate studies in composition at Syracuse University and the University of Texas at Austin. Her teachers have included David Maslanka and David Gillingham, among others. She is currently a Professor of Composition at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. See more about her at her website, the Wind Repertory Project, and C. Alan Publications.
Archer wrote Fanfare Politeia on a commission from the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band for the 59th presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021, where the piece received its (very chilly) premiere with Jason Fettig conducting. From Archer’s score:
Fanfare Politeia is an homage to the origins of our democracy, and to the ancient sources that Madison, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Adams drew from in their conceiving and writing our Constitution. “Politeia” is a Greek word derived from “polis” (city). Aristotle used the term to represent concepts such as citizens’ rights and constitutional government, while Plato‘s examination of justice – a book which we now call The Republic, in English – was actually entitled Politeia in the original Greek.
Commissioned by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band for the 59th Presidential Inauguration, Fanfare Politeia celebrates our traditions of a free and fair election, and of a peaceful transfer of power.
The Marine Band recorded it!
Find out more about Fanfare Politeia at J. W. Pepper, Murphy Music Press, the Wind Repertory Project, and Archer’s Website. In addition, Archer did an interview about it with the Marine Band:
Go digging a little, and you’ll certainly find its original premiere somewhere.