Dramatico: Score
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0005276
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Description
This dynamic work builds on the power and energy found in young musicians. The original composition takes the listener through a wide range of powerful musical statements culminating in a bold conclusion. Most imaginative! (2:05)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Dramatico: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
176
SKU:
00-PR-0005276
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith stands among America's most recorded composers for concert band and orchestra, with more than 400 publications in circulation. He holds degrees from Troy State University and the University of Miami, and his original works have been performed across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. His symphonies The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, along with works like The Tempest, have become foundational pieces in the developing band repertoire.
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has reached national audiences through television broadcasts, Olympic ceremonies, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and major sporting events. As both a composer and clinician, he has conducted ensembles and led workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Europe, bringing his pedagogical approach directly to musicians at all levels.
Why we love this
This piece captures everything that makes Grade 1 band rewarding to conduct: genuine musicality without overwhelming technical demands. Smith balances accessibility with real compositional substance, giving young musicians authentic power and drama to express rather than just notes to play. The arc from energetic opening through varied musical ideas to a bold finish teaches phrasing and dynamic control without requiring extended technique.
What to expect
Dramatico radiates confidence and forward motion from the first measure. The piece carries a sense of triumph and purpose, with layers of musical color that shift and build, creating the feeling of a young ensemble discovering their collective power. It concludes with unmistakable authority.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands in grades 4-7 looking for repertoire that delivers genuine musical satisfaction. Directors seeking Grade 1 pieces that sound mature and feel rewarding to perform while respecting the technical abilities of developing players.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the dynamic arc from the opening energy through the middle section; young players often play everything at a similar volume, so model what crescendo and diminuendo sound like in context.
- Establish a steady tempo early and maintain it throughout. The impact of this piece depends on confident, consistent pulse rather than rushing through exciting moments.
- Balance the various sections so the melodic statements sing above the accompaniment. Young horn and trombone players especially need guidance on supporting rather than dominating.
- Rehearse the final statement with full confidence and volume; this conclusion earns its impact through the journey that precedes it, so don't underplay the ending.
How to use it
Program this as an opener or featured work on a concert where you want to establish energy and engagement from the start. It works equally well at festival competitions, where its tightly constructed form and clear musical statements showcase what a Grade 1 band can accomplish. The 2:05 duration makes it ideal for programming alongside longer, more complex works.
Skills your students will build
- Dynamic contrast and shaping (creating meaningful crescendos and diminuendos)
- Melodic phrasing at a developmental level
- Balance between melody and accompaniment sections
- Maintaining steady tempo through varied musical sections
- Ensemble blend and unified articulation
- Understanding compositional form through clear sectional statements