A Mother's Hymn Cover Image

A Mother's Hymn: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$80.00 USD
$80.00 USD
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A Mother's Hymn Cover Image
A Mother's Hymn: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

A Mother's Hymn: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

How Great Thou Art

Arranged by Robert W. Smith

Grade: 3

Item: 98-RWS228800
$80.00
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Description
Simple, poignant and beautiful, "A Mother's Hymn" by Robert W. Smith is an artistic experience for both full orchestra and audience. Based on an old Swedish melody also known as "How Great Thou Art," this setting is appropriate for any concert or festival performance. An instant standard in the orchestra repertoire.

Original Item#: RWS-2288-00

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Additional Details
Series: RWS - Concert Orchestra
Publisher: RWS Music Company
ISBN10: 1-4706-9349-6
ISBN13: 978-1-4706-9349-7
UPC: 038081609348
SKU: 98-RWS228800

More about this title

About the Arranger: Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith has shaped the landscape of American orchestral and concert band music through more than 400 published compositions and arrangements. His training in music education at Troy State University and advanced study at the University of Miami equipped him to write for ensembles across all levels of development. His symphonies, including The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, have circulated internationally and anchored repertoire lists on multiple continents.

Beyond the concert hall, Smith's work has reached audiences through television broadcasts, state ceremonies, and major cultural events ranging from the Olympic Games to opening day at professional baseball stadiums. His experience as both composer and clinician has given him insight into what works in rehearsal and what resonates with musicians and listeners alike.

Why we love this

This arrangement takes a deeply familiar hymn tune and frames it with orchestral warmth and restraint. Grade 3 orchestras often struggle to find literature that sounds substantial without requiring advanced technique; this score delivers genuine emotional weight while keeping technical demands realistic. The piece builds lasting repertoire that orchestras return to season after season.

What to expect

Quiet and reverent, without being heavy. The orchestration unfolds like a collective meditation, with voices entering gradually to support a melody that feels both ancient and timeless. There is tenderness in the harmonies and a sense of shared purpose.

Who it's for

Full orchestras at the developing level (high school and advancing middle school programs) looking for concert and festival repertoire that combines accessibility with genuine artistic substance. Conductors seeking music that builds ensemble cohesion while introducing students to the rewards of collaborative music-making.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the melody between upper and lower strings so the Swedish tune emerges clearly without one section overpowering the rest.
  • Allow the accompaniment to breathe; resist the urge to rush through sustained chords, which give the piece its meditative quality.
  • Shape phrases with gentle dynamic swells rather than dramatic peaks; the beauty lies in understatement.

How to use it

This arrangement works powerfully as a concert opener, setting a thoughtful tone before more energetic works. It also serves as a natural centerpiece in programs exploring hymn-based literature or celebrating cultural musical traditions. The piece's modest technical requirements make it an excellent choice for festival rotation without sacrificing artistic integrity.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining long tones with consistent tone quality and intonation
  • Balancing melodic and harmonic roles within the orchestra
  • Responding to subtle dynamic and tempo variations from the conductor
  • Blending voices across instrument families

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