Chautauqua: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Chautauqua gives Grade 3 bands a genuinely rewarding concert piece that sounds far more sophisticated than its accessibility level suggests. The three-section architecture creates natural programming drama without technical overreach, and Smith's contrast between lush, lyrical writing and the character colors of the nickelodeon section keeps both players and audiences engaged throughout the six-and-a-half-minute arc.

Chautauqua opens with serene beauty, evoking the quiet majesty of upstate New York at dawn. Once that landscape is painted, the piece pivots into a whimsical, almost nostalgic soundworld, complete with the character and melodic flavor of early twentieth-century entertainment music, creating a compelling emotional journey that feels both timeless and distinctly American.

Grade 3 concert bands with solid fundamentals in blend and dynamic control. This piece works well for groups that can handle five to six minutes of continuous focused performance and can manage the lyrical demands without losing pitch stability.

• Shape the opening sunrise section with careful attention to dynamic swells; let the melodies breathe without rushing, and allow younger players to experience what it means to sustain a phrase across multiple bars.
• Balance the transition into the nickelodeon section as a genuine stylistic shift, not just a tempo change. The character here is intentionally different, so invite the band to shift their articulation and tone accordingly.
• Keep the harmonic support voices engaged during melodic passages. Middle voices often drop out mentally when the soloists carry the tune; consistent section rehearsal on these parts prevents the texture from sagging.
• Use the full dynamic range available. The piece's impact relies on genuine contrast between soft singing passages and fuller tutti sections, so reserve those forte moments for when Smith writes them.

Program this as a concert opener or early-program piece to establish a poetic tone without depleting the band's energy. It pairs naturally with lighter character pieces or contrasts effectively with a heavier work later in the set. The piece also fits well in spring concerts or outdoor festival settings where the sunrise imagery and flowing orchestration feel seasonally appropriate.

• Sustained phrase shaping and dynamic control across long melodic lines
• Listening and balancing within harmonically dense textures
• Stylistic contrast and articulation choices (lyrical versus character section differentiation)
• Intonation consistency during soft singing passages
• Part independence in middle voices during soloistic writing