Oh No Ringo!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 4
Item: 98-PK-0000084
$130.00
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Description
Oh No Ringo! is the third movement of Robert W. Smith's oboe concerto entitled Cosmic Harmonies based on three paintings by artist Fred "Nall" Hollis . It was named after an anecdote told by the artist Nall recalls that Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was with him in the studio when he was working on the art piece entitled "Cosmic Harmonies". As Nall dripped red paint onto the canvas, Ringo cried out that he was ruining the painting. Nall simply replied "What do you mean ruin it? It's my painting. Do I tell you how to drum?!"
This final movement of Cosmic Harmonies is based on that moment with Ringo Starr and the ongoing love the Beatles had for Nall's art. The juxtaposition of oboe in a rock-influence musical setting creates a compelling environment for the soloist and audience alike.
This final movement of Cosmic Harmonies is based on that moment with Ringo Starr and the ongoing love the Beatles had for Nall's art. The juxtaposition of oboe in a rock-influence musical setting creates a compelling environment for the soloist and audience alike.
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Additional Details
Series:
RWS - Symphony Band
Publisher:
RWS Music Company
SKU:
98-PK-0000084
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 over 400 works published predominantly through Alfred Music. His education at Troy State University (AL) for his Bachelor's in Music Education and the University of Miami (FL) for his Master's degree provided the foundation for a career that has taken him across five continents as both composer and clinician.
Smith's symphonies, including The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, have resonated with musicians and audiences worldwide. His works for developing ensembles, particularly The Tempest, have become foundational repertoire in band programs. Beyond the concert hall, his compositions and arrangements have appeared on major television broadcasts, Olympic ceremonies, and iconic American celebrations from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.
Why we love this
Smith finds genuine drama in the collision of classical oboe writing with rock sensibilities, creating a concerto that hooks your ensemble and audience from the downbeat. The narrative behind the piece—a story about artistic vision and the audacity to defend it—gives your soloists and band an emotional anchor beyond the notes. At Grade 4, the orchestration sits perfectly for ambitious high school programs seeking something with real personality and crossover appeal.
What to expect
Rock energy meets classical elegance in a piece that refuses to choose between them. The oboe cuts through a contemporary rhythmic landscape with lyrical grace, creating moments of genuine musical tension and release. There's humor in the title and intelligence in the writing; your band will feel like they're performing something that matters.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 4 level looking for a vehicle that showcases a strong oboe soloist while offering the full ensemble something musically engaging and stylistically fresh. Programs preparing festival or contest entries will find this both technically appropriate and programmatically distinctive. Students thrive when they understand the cultural reference and artistic story driving the music.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the oboe soloist early. The rock-influenced accompaniment can easily overwhelm a younger oboist, so emphasize clarity in the rhythm section while the oboe finds its voice.
- Lean into the stylistic blend. This isn't a baroque concerto masquerading as rock; let the percussion and rhythm section drive with contemporary energy while the oboe maintains its classical integrity.
- Study the recorded accompaniment to lock the ensemble's groove. Rock-influenced pieces demand rhythmic precision that a click track alone may not achieve.
- Shape the narrative arc with dynamics. The story of an artist defending their vision demands expressive commitment; resist the temptation to play it safely.
How to use it
Feature this as a festival or contest selection that immediately distinguishes your program from standard Grade 4 offerings. Pair it with more traditional concert repertoire to show your ensemble's range and adaptability. The middle of a concert works well, where the oboe soloist has warmed up and the audience is ready for something unexpected.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing solo and ensemble textures in contemporary harmonic contexts
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in rock-influenced styles
- Stylistic awareness across classical and popular music idioms
- Expressive solo performance within a narrative framework
- Reading syncopated rhythms with confidence