Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key

The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in the Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.

Into the Storm
Robert W. Smith

This work, inspired by the 1993 Storm of the Century, the great blizzard which covered much of the United States, blends the choirs and the dynamic shaping of the lines to create a stunning experience.

In the Bleak Midwinter
Gustav Holst, arr. Robert W. Smith

Gustav Holst’s beautiful melody serves as the foundation from which Robert W. Smith fashions this remarkable work. From a haunting single voice, a stunning climax is reached before giving way to a simple restatement.

The traditional hymn In the Bleak Midwinter was composed by Gustav Holst in 1908. It is the second movement of the Holst Winter Suite and the work that inspired the creation of the three-movement tribute to Holst. Ms. Alta Sue Hawkins, a retired Virginia band director, suggested the title to Robert W. Smith as a possible symphonic band setting. Unfortunately, Ms. Hawkins passed away before work was complete.

In remembrance of Ms. Hawkins, Mr. Smith re-scored the work for publication. The composer uses the traditional American folk melody Shenandoah as the contrapuntal line representing Ms. Hawkins’ birth and rest in the beautiful valley of Virginia.

In December of 1992, Mr. Smith married into the Hawkins family. His setting of In the Bleak Midwinter is dedicated to Ben, Chuck, and his wife Susan in loving memory of their mother, Alta Sue.

Encanto
Robert W. Smith

Encanto (Spanish for “charm”) opens with a distinctive full brass fanfare and evolves into an infectious rhythmi statement. The opening fanfare reappears at the end of the piece and leads decisively to a powerful ending.

Earhart
Robert W. Smith

The legend of Amelia Earhart continues to capture the imaginations of aviators and historians worldwide. Earhart, a pioneer in aviation and in women’s rights, began her final journey in the United States and crossed multiple continents. Robert W. Smith has drawn upon Earhart’s final flight to create this unique musical composition. Following the opening “takeoff,” the composer was inspired by the indigenous sounds of the various continents in Earhart’s flight path. From a unique fugue inspired by the music of Central and South America to a lyrical statement from the Dark Continent, the listener is transported on a musical journey that will capture the imagination. Following a dark and powerful percussion statement with Asian overtones, the journey ends not in tragedy but in celebration as the original flight theme
returns.

The Great Locomotive Chase
Robert W. Smith

Inspired by the events surrounding the railway between Atlanta and Chattanooga during the early years of the Civil War, Robert W. Smith stages the train chase complete with fascinating textures and effects. Listeners become engulfed in the vivid sounds. You can almost smell the smoke. This is an exciting original concert opener or closer. All aboard!

Red 
Robert W. Smith

Red is a powerful and energetic work for concert and festival performance. As the first movement from Krisanna’s Colors, the suite is inspired by her color choices used to describe her daily emotions and moods. Beginning with somber clarinet solo and choir, the mood quickly changes to bombastic and extreme energy.

The Golden Age of Broadway

arr. John Moss

The grand musicals created by this legendary composing team are presented in this marvelous setting of some of the best-known songs ever to hit the Broadway stage. Includes: Bali Ha’i (South Pacific); Oklahoma (Oklahoma); Getting to Know You (The King and I); The Carousel Waltz (Carousel) and Climb Ev’ry Mountain (The Sound of Music)

Fantasy Adventures at the Movies
arr. Michael Brown

In the best fantasy and adventure films, music always plays an important role in setting the mood and engaging us in the story. Here are some of those iconic moments from movies we all remember. Includes: Theme from “Star Trek;” Back to the Future; Once Upon a Time…Storybook Love (from “The Princess Bride”); The Rocketeer and Theme from “E.T.” (The Extra-Terrestrial).

Precious Lord
arr. Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith dedicates this setting of PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND to the memory of a close friend, fellow musician and educator. This requiem for a fallen comrade is a celebration of life, intended to be performed in memory of all music educators who have changed the lives of student musicians. The power, the tears, the hope… it’s all here, from exhilaration to heartbreak. The final closing measures may well be one of  the most musically moving moments ever! 

Rough Riders
Karl King, arr. James Swearingen

Karl King’s Rough Riders March was a tribute to both President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and the volunteer cavalrymen who became known as his Rough Riders. It has been described as a “galop” march.