Gentle Winds of Spring: B-flat Tenor Saxophone
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 1
Item: 98-PC-RWS1910_TX1
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Description
A lyrical work written for the beginning band, "Gentle Winds Of Spring" introduces and reinforces expressive performance in a safe and comfortable ensemble setting. Using only the first six notes introduced in most band methods, this composition by Robert W. Smith is pedagogically sound and musically engaging. The composer provides options for several performance lengths creating an expressive statement appropriate for any concert or festival performance. Highly recommended!
Original Item#: RWS-1910-00
Original Item#: RWS-1910-00
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Additional Details
Series:
RWS - Very Beginning Band
Publisher:
RWS Music Company
SKU:
98-PC-RWS1910_TX1
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith stands among America's most frequently performed composers for concert band and orchestra, with more than 400 published works to his credit. His education includes a Bachelor of Music Education from Troy State University in Alabama and a Master of Music from the University of Miami. Smith's original compositions have reached audiences across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, with his symphonies The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey becoming touchstones in the repertoire.
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has appeared in contexts ranging from Olympic broadcasts to presidential ceremonies in Japan and the opening of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. His work for developing ensembles, particularly pieces like The Tempest, has established itself as standard literature for programs building foundational skills. As a conductor and clinician, he has led performances throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Europe.
Why we love this
Smith writes for beginning band with genuine musical sophistication. Rather than settling for exercises disguised as pieces, he crafts music that sounds intentional and rewarding, giving students real expressive content to perform from day one. The flexible performance lengths mean you can shape this work to fit your concert needs without sacrificing musical integrity.
What to expect
Spring awakening unfolds gently through lyrical lines and unhurried phrasing. The piece breathes naturally, inviting students to discover that beginning band music can sound genuinely beautiful, not merely functional.
Who it's for
This score and parts set serves first-year band students encountering expressive playing for the first time. Directors of beginning bands will find a musically substantive piece that introduces phrasing and dynamic control without overwhelming learners who are still building note-reading and instrumental technique.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape phrases with subtle dynamic swells even within a limited range. Beginning players often play flat; encourage them to breathe musically and shape the line with gentle crescendi and diminuendi.
- Balance the melody clearly when multiple sections carry it. Use sectional rehearsals to isolate primary and secondary lines so students hear the harmonic support role they're playing.
- Choose your performance length before rehearsals begin and commit to it. Consistency in your rehearsal plan allows students to internalize the structure and perform with confidence.
- Give conductors in your section leadership roles. Assign principal players to watch you carefully, then have them guide their sections' entries and releases.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to set a warm, engaging tone for your audience. Its approachable character and clear structure make it an excellent anchor for a spring concert celebrating early-season progress, or pair it with other Grade 1 works to build a coherent program showcasing the ensemble's growing musicality.
Skills your students will build
- Expressive phrasing using limited dynamic range (sustaining lines without excessive volume)
- Listening for balance and blend when melody passes between sections
- Breath control for longer phrase arcs
- Reading and responding to conductor gestures that shape musical line
- Performance confidence in a structured, supportive musical context