Hot As Blue Blazes: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 5
Item: 98-PK-RWS2321
$150.00
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Description
A musical "tour de force" for the concert band. As the title suggests, the American jazz style and its historic roots in American music is the inspiration for this showcase for the more advanced band. Featuring blazing woodwind lines combined with powerful brass and driving percussion, this is a significant programming choice that will be enthusiastically received by your ensemble musicians. The resulting audience reaction will elevate your ensemble to another level of musical appreciation. Hot!
Original Item#: RWS-2321-00
Original Item#: RWS-2321-00
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Additional Details
Series:
RWS - Symphony Band
Publisher:
RWS Music Company
SKU:
98-PK-RWS2321
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith has established himself as a defining voice in American concert band and orchestral composition, with more than 400 published works performed by ensembles worldwide. His education at Troy State University and the University of Miami grounded him in both pedagogy and compositional craft, influences evident in works that balance accessibility with musical substance.
Smith's catalog spans concert halls, Olympic ceremonies, television broadcasts, and celebrations of national significance. His symphonies The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, along with foundational pieces like The Tempest, have become cornerstones of developing and advanced band repertoires across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. His concurrent work as a conductor and clinician has kept him connected to the needs and aspirations of musicians at every level.
Why we love this
Smith writes for the advanced band with genuine understanding of what excites musicians and audiences alike. The jazz idiom here feels earned and authentic rather than imitative, and the orchestration balances individual brilliance with cohesive ensemble sound in ways that reward both sectional preparation and full-group rehearsal.
What to expect
Unbridled energy and rhythmic vitality drive this piece. Bright woodwind lines dance above propulsive brass and rhythm section, creating the sensation of a well-oiled ensemble in full command of its craft and genuinely enjoying the ride.
Who it's for
Advanced concert bands ready to embrace jazz language and virtuosic writing across all sections. Directors programming showcase concerts or seeking substantial works that challenge musicians while offering immediate audience connection.
How to get the most out of it
- Secure the rhythm section groove first. Percussion and low brass establish the jazz pocket before woodwinds add their lines; lock that foundation and the faster passwork will sit naturally.
- Balance the woodwind textures carefully in fast passages. Individual clarity matters more than blended volume at this tempo, so encourage players to voice their parts distinctly without forcing.
- Let the brass cut through during ensemble hits. This piece needs confidence and forward momentum; dynamics and articulation should serve the energy of the writing, not mask it.
- Shape phrases with jazz phrasing conventions in mind. Slight relaxation on beat 4 and forward motion into downbeats will bring authenticity to the style without compromising ensemble precision.
How to use it
Position this as your concert closer or opening statement on a showcase program. The distinctive American jazz voice and technical brilliance make it an ideal anchor for a concert celebrating contemporary band literature or a spring program where audiences expect memorable finales.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz articulation and phrasing conventions
- Fast scalar passages and technical accuracy at tempo
- Rhythmic independence in syncopated ensemble textures
- Dynamic control and sectional balance in complex woodwind writing
- Groove awareness and rhythm section coordination