Percy Eastman Fletcher (1879-1932) was born in Derby, England. He made his living as a Musical Director in the London theatre world, directing and orchestrating the long-running musical Chu Chin Chow. Fletcher was a prolific composer and wrote a large number of suites for light orchestra as well as military band marches The Crown of Chivalry, Spirit of Pageantry, V.C. March, and a Sultan's March, extracted from his musical 'Cairo In 1909 the Worshipful Company of Musicians in London, England offered 5 prizes for original military band compositions. This competition attracted the attention of some fine British composers. Holst's 'Suite in Eb' was placed 3rd and this Grand March, ' The Spirit of Pageantry' was awarded 2nd prize. The winning composer was B,Walton O'Donnell, who later became an outstanding Musical Director of the BBC Wireless Military Band. The Spirit of Pageantry is a wonderful evocation of Edwardian England and deserves to be reinstated into the Concert Band repertory
