Eternal Peaks: Bassoon
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 2.5 (Easy to Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0000882_B1
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Description
A stunning contest or concert work for your young band. This energy-packed original is sure to make your young band sound spectacular. Inspired by Colorado, the land of mountains, in this single flowing composition the intent listener will hear the panoramic beauty of the Colorado sunrise with the Rocky Mountains as the backdrop. The power of the dinosaurs, the menacing sheer angles of jagged rocks and the thunder of ancient drums combine to form the first movement entitled In Stone and Shadow. In contrast, Twilight seeks to capture the majestic yet delicate scenery at perhaps the most beautiful time of the day. The final movement entitled "Avalanche" brings together musical and visual imagery to the most powerful of conclusions. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Eternal Peaks: Bassoon 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 Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
276
SKU:
00-PC-0000882_B1
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith stands among America's most performed composers for concert band and orchestra, with over 400 published works distributed primarily through Alfred Music. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Troy State University in Alabama and his Master of Music from the University of Miami, then built a career that spans composition, arranging, conducting, and clinician work across North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and beyond.
His orchestral works, including the symphonies The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, have circulated internationally among both musicians and audiences. Pieces like The Tempest have become foundational repertoire for developing ensembles. Smith's music has appeared on major network television broadcasts, Olympic ceremonies, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and opening day festivities at Dodger Stadium, reflecting the breadth of contexts his compositions inhabit.
Why we love this
Smith crafts a three-movement arc that rewards careful programming and showcases genuine compositional craft at an accessible level. The musical storytelling unfolds naturally—from the dramatic power of "In Stone and Shadow" through the lyrical beauty of "Twilight" to the thrilling climax of "Avalanche"—giving your young band material that sounds and feels substantial without overwhelming them technically.
What to expect
Eternal Peaks unfolds as a cinematic journey across Colorado's landscape. The opening movement conjures raw geological power through driving rhythms and stark harmonic contrasts, while the second movement shifts to serene majesty with delicate orchestration. The finale returns with irresistible momentum, cresting into a powerful conclusion that feels earned rather than imposed.
Who it's for
Young concert bands at the Grade 2.5 level seeking a substantial original work that balances contest appeal with genuine musical satisfaction. This score rewards bands with solid fundamentals and the maturity to sustain musical ideas across contrasting sections.
How to get the most out of it
- Build the opening movement's dramatic tension by clarifying the distinction between the "power of the dinosaurs" rhythmic material and the angular rock formations suggested by the ensemble's texture. Precision in rhythmic articulation matters more than raw volume.
- Approach "Twilight" with genuine restraint. This movement's beauty depends on balance and blend rather than projection; encourage players to listen inward and shape the melodic lines with care.
- Shape the "Avalanche" finale by thinking of it as a carefully controlled release of energy. Coordinate dynamic control across the band so the climax builds logically rather than exploding at the first opportunity.
How to use it
Program this as a contest selection where its dramatic arc and accessible technical demands allow your band to compete confidently. It also serves beautifully as a concert centerpiece, particularly if you're pairing it with lighter or more traditional repertoire that benefits from the contrast Eternal Peaks provides.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining musical tension and release across multi-movement structures
- Balancing dynamic control in fast-moving rhythmic passages
- Reading and executing contrasting textures (dense ensemble writing versus transparent melody-with-accompaniment)
- Responding to programmatic intent through character and phrasing adjustments
- Ensemble listening and blend in lyrical, slower sections