Fanfare Fantastique: 2nd Mallet Percussion
Fanfare Fantastique: 2nd Mallet Percussion Sheet Music Preview

Fanfare Fantastique: 2nd Mallet Percussion

By Robert W. Smith

Level:.5

Item: 98-PC-RWS2040_M2
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Description
Written as an opener for your beginning band concert, Fanfare Fantastique is bold, exciting and aggressive work that will clearly make a strong musical statement. Active percussion combined with powerful melodic lines in the brass and woodwinds, this new contemporary classic by Robert W. Smith will make your young band sound mature and artistically accomplished. Appropriate for any concert or festival performance.

Original Item#: RWS-2040-00

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Additional Details
Series: RWS - Very Beginning Band
Publisher: RWS Music Company
SKU: 98-PC-RWS2040_M2

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith has established himself as a leading voice in American concert band and orchestral composition, with more than 400 works in print across major publishers. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Troy State University and a Master's degree in Music from the University of Miami, grounding his craft in both compositional rigor and pedagogical understanding.

Smith's works span from ambitious symphonies like The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey to foundational pieces for developing ensembles that have become staples of the band repertoire. Beyond composition, he has worked extensively as a conductor and clinician, traveling internationally to Japan, Australia, Italy, Austria, and the United Kingdom. His music has also reached broader audiences through television broadcasts, Olympic ceremonies, and major cultural events.

Why we love this

Smith has crafted an opener that genuinely sounds polished without demanding advanced technical skills from young musicians. The instrumentation and harmonic language are transparent enough for a developing band to execute clearly, yet the piece carries real compositional substance and confidence that will impress both adjudicators and audiences.

What to expect

Fanfare Fantastique announces itself with purpose and swagger. Brass and woodwind melodies soar over an active, driving percussion foundation, creating an atmosphere of celebration and occasion. The music feels both contemporary and assured, giving young performers a real sense of artistic accomplishment.

Who it's for

Beginning band students performing at their first concert or festival, whether in middle school or high school. Directors seeking an opener that demonstrates musicianship and polish without overwhelming young musicians with technical complexity.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the percussion section's rhythmic figures early in rehearsal; they drive the forward momentum and will anchor the band's ensemble sound.
  • Balance the brass melodic lines against the woodwind countermelodies so each voice projects without one overpowering the other.
  • Shape the dynamic arc from the opening statement through to the closing gesture as a single thought rather than disconnected sections.
  • Ensure the tempo feels energetic and driven; a sluggish pace will undercut the piece's inherent excitement and confidence.

How to use it

Place this at the opening of any concert or festival performance where you want to establish confidence and energy immediately. It signals to the audience that the band is serious about the music ahead while remaining accessible enough for a beginning ensemble. The piece also works well as a confidence builder earlier in the rehearsal season, offering achievable success before tackling more demanding repertoire.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing independent melodic lines across multiple sections
  • Executing rhythmic precision in driving, energetic tempos
  • Shaping long melodic phrases with appropriate dynamic contour
  • Coordinating articulation and style within and across instrumental choirs

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