Easter Fanfare

Lester H. Groom (1929–2000) was born in Chicago and received his early keyboard training from both his mother and father. His father later became his major professor in organ and composition at Wheaton College (Illinois), where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1951. He earned the Master of Music degree in organ performance from Northwestern University in 1952. Groom held teaching positions at Moody Bible Institute (Chicago), Blue Mountain College (Mississippi), and Baker University (Kansas). He joined the faculty of Seattle Pacific University in 1969, where he taught organ, harpsichord, music theory, and composition. He retired from SPU in 1991 and was named Professor Emeritus the following year. Throughout his career, he held positions as church organist and choir director. He served as organist of First Presbyterian Church, Seattle from 1979 until his retirement in 1996.

His published works include organ and choral compositions, articles, and music reviews. He was a specialist in the art of organ improvisation and was a frequent lecturer at church music workshops and for thirteen summers he served on the faculty of the Evergreen Conference School of Church Music (Colorado).

"Easter Fanfare" is really more of a "Hymn-Intro Fanfare" instead of a "performance" piece. It sets the famous tune, "Victory," which is always linked with "The Strife is o'er."

The interesting and unique feature of this is that it sets the tune as a "Canon at the fifth below." Both of these parts are played upon the Solo Tuba.

In fact, my registration scheme is much bigger than what Groom calls for. He asks for "Foundations 8'4'2'" and "Swell Trumpet," while I've used a full "cathedral sound," eventually building to the full organ at the end.

This piece is part of an upcoming collection of selected works by Lester Groom, very soon to be published by Lorenz. Over the next few days, I'll be "completing" the book.

A photo of Lester Groom is attached below.