Aces: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Aces: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-RWS150101
Price: 15.00 USD
Availability: InStock

For Those Who Command the Skies

By Robert W. Smith

Grade: 5

Item: 98-RWS150101

$15.00

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Composed for the United States Air Force Academy, "Aces" pays tribute to those that soar the skies. Beginning with a brilliant and majestic fanfare, the piece quickly develops through bold musical material wrought with tension and energy. Following the return of the opening theme in a beautiful and lyrical setting, "Aces" culminates in a flurry of excitement as our jets soar into the distance. A spectacular work by Robert W. Smith for the accomplished concert band!

Original Item#: RWS-1501-01

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Series: RWS - Symphony Band

Publisher: RWS Music Company

ISBN10: 1-4706-9820-X

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-9820-1

UPC: 038081614052

SKU: 98-RWS150101

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith stands among America's most frequently performed composers for concert band and orchestra, with over 400 published works to his credit. His education at Troy State University and the University of Miami equipped him with the craft to write music that appeals equally to accomplished ensembles and developing musicians. His symphonies, including The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, have traveled to audiences across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, establishing him as a major voice in band literature.

Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has reached millions through television broadcasts, ceremonial events, and major cultural institutions. His works have accompanied opening ceremonies in Japan, performances at the Olympic Games, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. As both composer and clinician, he continues to shape the repertoire through his prolific output and his presence at podiums across the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Europe.

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Why we love this

Smith captures the drama and pride of military service without sacrificing musical depth or compositional craft. The piece offers a Grade 5 ensemble a golden opportunity to program something patriotic and thrilling that still demands musicianship from every section. Few composers balance accessibility with sophistication the way Smith does, and Aces delivers all the theatrical impact a concert needs while remaining teachable.

What to expect

Aces soars with military precision and heroic grandeur. The opening fanfare establishes majesty immediately, then the music shifts into something more turbulent and driven, full of forward momentum and edge. When the theme returns in lyrical transformation, there's a moment of beauty and reflection before everything explodes into a thrilling climax that sends listeners out on a rush of adrenaline.

Who it's for

This score is designed for accomplished high school and college concert bands ready to program works with advanced harmonic language and rhythmic complexity. Directors seeking a patriotic showpiece that doesn't sacrifice musicianship will find a reliable choice here. The piece works equally well for festival competition and concert programs.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the opening fanfare so the brass cut through cleanly without overwhelming the upper woodwinds; this sets the majestic tone the entire work relies on.
Shape the lyrical section with genuine legato phrasing and allow the brass to sing rather than bark; this contrast is essential to the emotional arc.
Build the final flurry with controlled acceleration; the excitement should feel earned, not rushed. Lock the tempo with your ensemble from the podium to prevent it from running away.
Use sectional rehearsal to lock the high-energy material in the middle section; tension comes from precision, not volume alone.

How to use it

Program Aces as a concert opener or closer where you need immediate impact and audience engagement. It works particularly well on patriotic programs, military appreciation events, or as the showcase finale for a concert where you want to leave the audience energized. The piece also serves as a strong festival entry for bands confident in their execution of Grade 5 repertoire.