Fanfare for Michael Dukakis

Three weeks before the 1988 Democratic convention, Harry Ellis Dickson, associate conductor of the Boston Pops and father-in-law of the 1988 Democratic candidate for President of the United States, said to John Williams in joking conversation, “John, you ought to write a song for Michael.” Williams looked at Dickson and replied, “OK, I’d do anything in the world for Michael.” Three weeks later, Dickson conducted the premiere performance of a new fanfare at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta.

Recordings

No commercial recording of this work has ever been issued.

Sheet Music

The orchestral score and parts to this work are not commercially available; a piano arrangement appeared in Fanfares and Themes.

References

• “Dukakis Fanfare an instant Omni hit”
  St. Paul Pioneer-Press, 22 July 1988