On the Rising Winds: Baritone B.C.
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0002084_BBC1
$3.00
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Description
Imagine an early morning rural scene as a small aircraft takes off in flight and slowly ascends while the natural beauty of the countryside below unfolds. Beginning with the softest of winds, the mysterious introduction gives way to the exuberance of flight. Robert W. Smith expands our musical horizons through this supremely atmospheric imagery with winds and percussion. Theater in music! (4:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, On the Rising Winds: Baritone B.C. 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 Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
268
SKU:
00-PC-0002084_BBC1
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 over 400 published works to his credit. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Troy State University and a Master of Music from the University of Miami, and his compositions have been heard in concert halls across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has reached millions through major television broadcasts, from presidential state ceremonies in Japan to the opening of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Olympic Games. His symphonic works like The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, along with pieces designed for developing ensembles such as The Tempest, have become cornerstones of the band repertoire. As both composer and clinician, he continues to shape musical life in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and throughout Europe.
Why we love this
Smith captures a complete narrative arc in Grade 2 language, never sacrificing musical substance for accessibility. The piece moves from intimate mystery to soaring triumph through transparent orchestration that lets young musicians hear themselves clearly while still delivering genuine theatrical impact. Conductors value it for contest season because it engages audiences with vivid imagery while remaining genuinely teachable.
What to expect
The piece unfolds like watching sunrise over open country from the vantage point of a small aircraft. Mysterious whispers in the winds gradually gather clarity and brightness, building to a moment of genuine joy and freedom. Throughout, the music remains intimate and transparent, inviting listeners into the quiet wonder before the ascent.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands ready to program something with genuine artistic substance beyond novelty pieces. It works equally well for ensembles in their first year of band and intermediate programs looking to add lyrical, descriptive music to their repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the mysterious introduction with breath and space, allowing the softest dynamics to land clearly rather than rushing to the exuberant material. Young bands often push the tempo too early; let the dawn break gradually.
- Balance the melodic line with support from the harmonic foundation in the middle sections. Grade 2 ensembles need guidance on when to play forward and when to yield the phrase to soloists.
- Use the dynamic progression from ppp to forte as a rehearsal anchor, marking it visibly in parts so students understand the emotional trajectory connects to sound production rather than volume alone.
- Conduct the opening with a clear preparatory gesture and generous space; this trains young musicians to respond to the baton and establishes the atmospheric tone immediately.
How to use it
Program this on a concert where you want to demonstrate the full range of your band's musicality and maturity. It pairs beautifully with a march as a contrasting second piece, or opens a program to establish an atmospheric tone before moving into bolder repertoire. At just over four minutes, it's ideal for festival competition while also serving as a concert showpiece that impresses audiences and adjudicators alike.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained soft dynamics (ppp and pp) with clarity and focus
- Following conductor through free, atmospheric passages
- Balancing individual voices within transparent harmonic texture
- Shaping a long-form musical narrative with clear emotional arc
- Responding to descriptive imagery to inform musical choices