Herndon Exaltations (A Celebration of Excellence): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Smith's gift for crafting music that impresses both audience and ensemble without requiring virtuosity is on full display here. The piece builds from a striking opening fanfare into hypnotic, driving ostinatos that keep every player engaged, and the orchestration makes Grade 2 bands sound considerably more sophisticated than their reading level suggests. Directors programming a contest or festival will find a showpiece that programs confidently alongside more difficult works while giving developing musicians a genuine musical experience.

The piece launches with bold ceremonial brightness, then locks into driving, almost hypnotic rhythmic momentum. Colors shift and layer as ostinatos build and interweave, creating a sense of forward motion and energy that never feels hectic. It's music that compels attention through sheer compositional craft and orchestral imagination.

Grade 2 concert bands preparing for contests, festivals, or concert programs who want an accessible piece with genuine musicianship and audience appeal. Players at this level gain confidence from music that sounds substantial and engaging without requiring advanced technical facility.

• Balance the opening fanfare so the initial statement cuts through without overwhelming the ensemble; the real impact comes from how cleanly it launches the ostinato figures that follow.
• Lock the rhythmic pulse of those gyrating ostinatos early in rehearsal. Once the foundation is rock solid, the timbral colors and layering that Smith writes will emerge naturally.
• Shape the dynamic arc across the entire five and a half minutes. The piece propels through development, so avoid plateauing at fortissimo; save your largest sounds for the final statements.
• Pay close attention to percussion voicing throughout. Smith's use of the section is integral to the character; underscore those moments where percussion takes the lead in establishing color changes.

Open a concert with this to establish immediate presence and energy, or use it as a showcase piece in a contest setting where you want to demonstrate musicianship and ensemble control at a manageable level. The five and a half minute duration fits naturally in most programming contexts, and the festive opening makes it an effective bridge between lighter fare and more serious repertoire.

• Ensemble pulse and rhythmic precision in complex ostinato patterns
• Listening for timbral balance and color changes across the full band
• Dynamic control across a sustained arc of development
• Part independence while maintaining collective forward motion