Lake Forest Composer Featured At Presidential Inauguration

LAKE FOREST, IL — A piece of music by a local composer premiered at Wednesday's inauguration ceremonies for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, D.C.

"Fanfare for Democracy," by Jim Stephenson, was one of three new fanfares by American composers in honor of the 59th Presidential Inauguration performed by "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band during the prelude to the swearing in.

Stephenson said the inspiration for the composition came to him on Nov. 7, 2020 — the day when news networks declared Biden was projected to secure the electoral votes needed to win the presidency.

"Everybody was outside. There just was this energy, electricity, just this thing in the air," Stephenson said.

Stephenson said he tried to capture the spirit that came over him on that unseasonably warm Saturday afternoon, after having just seen Joe and Jill Biden celebrate their election victory on stage in Delaware.

A Lake Forest resident and full-time composer for the past 13 years, Stephenson normally tries to meet the needs of whatever commissioned piece is before him at any given moment.

"But in this case, it was an outside influence that gave me the inspiration," he said.

"It was going for a walk and all of a sudden, I'm just feeling this energy in the air and that's when I started hearing music," Stephenson recalled. "It was like: there needs to be music to reflect the way I'm feeling, and it wasn't a commission, it was just: I had to write a piece."

Watch a video of the Jan. 20, 2020, premiere of "Fanfare for Democracy" at the 59th Presidential Inaugeration:

The piece is written for brass ensemble and percussion, with four trumpets, three trombones, two horns, a tuba, timpani and three pieces of percussion. It was conducted by Col. Jason Fettig.

Stephenson, 52, has worked with Fettig at least five times before over the past decade, including on a full symphony he composed that premiered at Midwest Clinic in 2016.

After penning the fanfare in about five hours after lunch and beers with some friends, Stephenson said he sent it to Fettig a few days later. He said he was thrilled and surprised to learn it would be included in the inaugural program.

With unprecedented security surrounding the ceremonies, the Marine band's schedule was not finalized with certainty until Sunday night, Stephenson said.

"I definitely hold this very high on my list of accolades and fun stuff to be fortunate enough to have happen," Stephenson said.