This work was commissioned by the London Borough of Redbridge with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain, and was first performed at the London Festival of 1972 by the Redbridge Youth Band, conducted by John Ridgeon.

Intrada is in three sections, the first and last being similar. The middle section unfolds an expansive chromatic melody, heard initially on the horns, but later in canon between cornets and trombones. The work is lively throughout and has strong rhythmic elements as its chief characteristic, including changing time patterns and syncopations.