Rising Dragons: Concert Band Conductor Score

$15.00 USD

Rising Dragons: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Rising Dragons: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-24783S
Price: 15.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Robert W. Smith

Grade: 4.5 (Medium to Medium Advanced)

Item: 00-24783S

$15.00

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One moment…

Commissioned by the Korean Navy Symphonic Band under the direction of Lt. Commander Joon Hyung Park, Rising Dragons pays tribute to the legacy of Yi Sun Shin and his impact on naval operations throughout the world. Beginning with a commanding fanfare, the authoritative statement gives way to the lone flute representing the solitude and reflection that any great leader must endure. The mechanized sounds of the turtle ships are brought to musical life through melody that rises and falls like the sea. The sea battle is depicted with opposing forces of percussion giving way to a final victorious fanfare. A line from a poem written by Yi Sun Shin inspires the title: "I call to the sea, and the dragons are moved."

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Series: Belwin Symphonic Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 44

UPC: 038081277349

SKU: 00-24783S

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith has established himself as one of the most frequently performed composers of concert band and orchestral music in the United States. With more than 400 published works, the majority released through Alfred Music, Smith's catalog spans concert works, orchestral pieces, and arrangements that have reached audiences across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Troy State University and a Master's degree in Music from the University of Miami.

Smith's symphonic works, including The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, have become touchstones for ambitious ensembles worldwide. His concert band compositions, notably The Tempest and other pieces for developing groups, anchor standard repertoire lists at every level. Beyond the concert hall, his music has appeared on major television broadcasts, at the Olympic Games, in opening ceremonies, and at prominent civic events, demonstrating the versatility and broad appeal of his compositional voice.

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Why we love this

Smith writes with a conductor's understanding of how to build dramatic tension and shape a complete concert experience. The commissioning by the Korean Navy Symphonic Band speaks to his reputation for creating works that honor history and command serious engagement from both players and audiences. This is the kind of substantial, well-crafted concert piece that justifies a full rehearsal investment and rewards both ensemble and listeners with genuine musical substance.

What to expect

Rising Dragons unfolds as an epic narrative scored in contemporary concert band colors. The opening fanfare announces something significant and authoritative, then the work shifts inward to a quiet, reflective flute moment that captures the weight of leadership. The middle section captures motion and struggle through instrumental imagery, building toward a climactic battle before concluding with a sense of triumph and legacy.

Who it's for

Advanced high school bands and college ensembles with strong wind sections and capable percussion players can tackle this work effectively. Directors programming concerts around historical themes, military traditions, or Asian cultural heritage will find compelling material here. This score also suits festival and contest programming when you want a piece that demonstrates musical maturity and technical command.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the opening fanfare between brass sections to ensure the proclamatory gesture reads clearly without overwhelming the ensemble's dynamic range in the space you're performing in.
Shape the flute solo with genuine introspection; this moment of solitude sets the emotional foundation for everything that follows, so resist rushing through it.
Differentiate the percussion effects that depict the turtle ships from the climactic battle percussion; clarity of orchestration matters as much as energy in this passage.
Shape the final victorious fanfare as a genuine resolution rather than simply playing loud; the journey from the opening statement deserves a satisfying conclusion.

How to use it

Position this as a centerpiece concert work that can stand alongside other substantive band literature without requiring thematic pairing; its commission and specific historical inspiration make it a natural anchor for a concert or contest set. It works equally well as a showcase for a strong ensemble's overall musicianship or as part of a program exploring music inspired by cultural and historical figures. The 44-page conductor score allows the work to unfold without feeling rushed or truncated.

Skills your students will build

Reading and executing fanfare figures with precision and controlled dynamics
Balancing solo passages against ensemble support in multi-sectional form
Coordinating multiple percussion instruments to create distinct musical images
Sustaining musical tension and phrasing across substantial concert works
Understanding program music and following narrative arc in instrumental composition