Journeys in Time: Drums
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 3.5
Item: 00-PC-0000993_D
$5.99
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Description
As the title suggests, "Journeys in Time" takes the listener on a musical adventure both 'through' and 'in' time. Drawing upon deep southern musical roots, "Blues Journey" harkens back to a time long ago on the deltas of the Mississippi River as the musicians literally laid the foundation for the impending emergence of popular music. "Jazz Journey" pays homage to the early jazz masters such as Louis Armstrong and big band leaders Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Our adventure in time ends with "Rock Journey," a modern stylistic culmination to a century of jazz and music technology development.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Journeys in Time: Drums 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 Intermediate String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0000993_D
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith has established himself as a leading voice in American orchestral and concert band composition, with more than 400 published works performed by ensembles worldwide. He holds degrees from Troy State University and the University of Miami, and his works have traveled across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, earning him recognition as both composer and clinician.
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has reached audiences through major television broadcasts, from the opening of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to Olympic Games coverage. His orchestral works, including his symphonies The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, and his scores for developing ensembles like The Tempest, have become repertoire staples. He has conducted and taught throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Europe.
Why we love this
Smith crafts a narrative arc that actually rewards musicians for their investment. Rather than three separate pieces stitched together, "Journeys in Time" unfolds as a coherent historical tour where each movement builds both musical sophistication and emotional stakes, taking students from the authentic blues idiom through big band swing into contemporary rock textures without losing integrity or educational value.
What to expect
The journey unfolds across genuinely distinct sonic landscapes: muddy, resonant blues textures give way to the sophisticated swing and articulation of big band arranging, then accelerate into the rhythmic drive and modern sonorities of rock. Each movement feels like stepping into a different era, yet the piece maintains musical coherence throughout.
Who it's for
String orchestras at grades 3-4 seeking repertoire that honors American musical traditions while meeting intermediate technical demands. Directors programming concert or festival performances will find this especially valuable for students ready to engage with idiom and style as seriously as they engage with technique.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the blues feel in "Blues Journey" by layering articulation: let violas and cellos anchor the groove while violins float rhythmic figures above, creating the layered texture that defines delta blues arrangements.
- Balance the rhythm section texture in "Jazz Journey" by having students listen to recordings of Armstrong, Ellington, or Basie; the ensemble needs to understand swing feel intuitively, not just metrically.
- Shape the transition into "Rock Journey" deliberately. This movement demands a rhythmic precision and groove orientation that differs from the swung feeling of the jazz section, so rehearse the stylistic shift as explicitly as you would a key change.
How to use it
Program this as a standalone concert feature that educates your audience while showcasing your ensemble's range. It works equally well as a centerpiece in a thematic concert exploring American music, or as a festival selection where the historical scope and stylistic variety demonstrate musician maturity.
Skills your students will build
- Playing blues idiom with authentic articulation and phrasing
- Swing rhythm and feel in a big band context
- Style-specific articulation across blues, jazz, and rock
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
- Ensemble balance when navigating idiom-specific textures