‘Fanfare of the Phoenix’: New Student Convocation featured Coleman’s new fanfare arrangement of alma mater

Associate Professor of Music Todd Coleman was commissioned to compose a new arrangement of Elon’s Alma Mater for trumpets and organ.

New Student Convocation for the Class of 2025 in August featured the premiere performance of a new arrangement of Elon University’s alma mater composed by music department faculty member Todd Coleman.

First page of the musical score.

The performance of “Fanfare of the Phoenix” took place live in Whitley Auditorium and was broadcast to the audience of new students, their families, faculty, and staff gathered outdoors under the oaks just to the west of the auditorium.

The alma mater text was written in 1998 by poet William D. Ellis, father of an Elon alum. The melody is from a medieval hymn, “Gaudeamus Igitur,” The song is performed at various campus ceremonial and sporting events, including convocations and commencements.

You can listen to a recording of the work below.