Cortège is essentially a poignant, slow funeral march. The work features stark textures and battle references, employing fanfares and military motifs. It was conceived as a short orchestral tone poem, or overture, to commemorate the centenary of World War I. The work's opening and closing sections suggest an approaching and passing procession. The piece is highly accessible and is appropriate for most orchestral standards, including amateurs and professional players. A version of Cortège for solo piano/organ by the composer is also available via Sheet Music Plus.