America — My Country 'Tis of Thee Cover Image

America — My Country 'Tis of Thee: Concert Band Conductor Score

$8.00 USD

America — My Country 'Tis of Thee: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: America — My Country 'Tis of Thee: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-RWS171401
Price: 8.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Melody Mine

Arranged by Robert W. Smith, Susan L. Smith

Grade: 1

Item: 98-RWS171401

$8.00

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This timeless patriotic melody by S.F. Smith is the perfect musical setting for exceptional teaching. The "Melody Mine" gives each member of the band the opportunity to play the melodic line while the teacher focuses on phrasing, shaping and other core musical concepts. The full band arrangement provides a lush chorale setting of the American standard. The director also has the option to craft their own arrangement to feature soloist(s), instrumental choirs and full band. Master teacher Susan L. Smith has created a powerful teaching resource for use in any beginning band program.

Original Item#: RWS-1714-01

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Series: RWS - Beginning Band

Publisher: RWS Music Company

ISBN10: 1-4706-9857-9

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-9857-7

UPC: 038081614427

SKU: 98-RWS171401

More about this title

About the Arranger: Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith stands among America's most prolific composers for winds and orchestra, with more than 400 published works performed internationally from Europe to Asia and Australia. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Troy State University and his Master's degree from the University of Miami, and has established himself both as a composer of large-scale works (including his symphonies The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey) and as an essential voice in developing band repertoire.

Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has appeared in broadcasts ranging from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Olympic Games, and he has served as conductor and clinician across North America, Europe, and Japan. His gift for writing across all levels of ensemble difficulty, paired with his teaching background, makes his arrangements and original compositions particularly valuable for music educators.

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Why we love this

This arrangement strips away the pressure of managing a full concert piece while keeping melodic work front and center. The "Melody Mine" approach means every student gets solo spotlight time while you drill the fundamentals that matter most: breath control, tone shaping, and understanding the shape of a phrase. The full band setting at the end rewards everyone's work and gives closure to the learning experience.

What to expect

Familiar and grounded. "America" carries the weight of tradition, yet Smith's writing keeps it light enough for young players to find their voices within it. The shift from individual melodies to full chorale creates a moment of genuine unity and pride.

Who it's for

Beginning band programs looking for patriotic repertoire that teaches without sacrificing musicality. This works equally well as a concert opener or as a focused daily warm-up and teaching tool throughout the season.

How to get the most out of it

Work the "Melody Mine" sections in rotation, assigning each section their featured pass-through. This rotation keeps energy high and gives non-soloists something specific to listen for and adjust.
Shape the full chorale section by conducting through the natural cadence points rather than with metronomic precision. Let the melody breathe where Smith's voicing suggests it.
Layer in your own features during rehearsals. Pull out a clarinet trio or trumpet section to carry the melody one time through. Students will stay engaged and the variation keeps it fresh for performance.

How to use it

Open a patriotic concert with the full chorale arrangement after rehearsing it as a teaching piece all season. Alternately, feature it as part of a citizenship or heritage assembly where multiple ensembles perform it in succession, each at their own level. The flexibility to customize with soloist features means you can spotlight your developing players without waiting until spring concert season.