Fanfare And Chorale On “ Arizona ”

Grade Level 1

Year: 2026

Composer: James Curnow

Program Notes:

The hymn “Arizona” (no reason has been found for the use of this name) was composed by Robert Henry Earnshaw (1865-1933) during his appointment as Professor of Music in Clavier, Lancashire, England. It is often set to the text “Fight the Good Fight” by John S. B. Monsell (1811-1875) a Pastor and author of numerous well-known hymns at St. Colomb’s, Londonderry, Ireland.

Fanfare and Chorale on “Arizona” is featured here as a brief fanfare, which generally announces the two presentations of the hymn (chorale). The first is played by the upper brass, accompanied by the mid and low range instruments, while the second presentation sings forth by the low end of the ensemble, thus giving most players the opportunity to play both the hymn tune and the fanfare.

Below are the two verses which the composer has chosen to present in this setting:

Fight the good fight with all thy might,

Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right;

Lay hold on life, and it shall be

Thy joy and crown eternally.

Faint not, nor fear, His arms are near,

He changes not, and thou art dear;

Only believe, and thou shalt see

That Christ is all in all to thee.