FORMER Hereford Sixth Form student Robert Peate, currently working for his PhD in composition at the Royal Academy of Music, was commissioned last year by Wraysbury Parish Council (through the Royal Academy of Music) to write a Fanfare for use at the various events being held this year in the Wraysbury and Windsor area, celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.

"I ended up writing them four Fanfares for different numbers of trumpets (one, two, four and six respectively) which increase in size, length and difficulty but are based on the same three-note 'Magna Carta Theme' (C-G-A), giving the option for a range of performers from younger/amateur players to professionals to be involved in the events, plus creating a musical connection between the events.

"The Fanfares are due to be played at various events throughout the year, including a performance at the Windsor Festival this September, conducted by Jane Glover, possibly in the presence of the Queen."

Robert, who was brought up in Dymock, also has links with the Hereford Composers Workshop, who promote performances and projects in the area that feature local composers and performers, and he is involved in an educational project this year in schools through the Ledbury Poetry Festival, and has worked with poet Ann Walker to set a number of her poems to music for a local choir and brass/wind ensemble in the Ledbury area.