A fanfare's a short piece of music played by trumpets and other brass instruments, frequently accompanied by percussion, usually for ceremonial purposes (usually for royalty or important people). The term's also used symbolically, for instance of occasions for which there's much publicity, even when no music's involved. Fanfares originated in the Middle Ages; although popular depictions of ancient Rome frequently include fanfares, the evidence's slight. In 18th century France the fanfare was a… (More on Fanfare)