Tanoan Echoes: 1st Percussion
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0002035_PC1
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Description
Native American imagery from the southwestern United States serves as the musical source for this bold adventure in sound for young band. With a strong use of percussion, and a blending of colors throughout the instruments, a brilliant new concert or contest/festival composition comes on the scene. Dynamic writing with a flowing sense of performance!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Tanoan Echoes: 1st Percussion 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 Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
132
SKU:
00-PC-0002035_PC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith stands among America's most productive composers for concert band and orchestra, with more than 400 works published primarily through Alfred Music. 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. His original compositions have been performed across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, establishing him as a major voice in band literature.
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has appeared on major television broadcasts, from presidential ceremonies in Japan to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Olympic Games. His symphonies, including The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, alongside works like The Tempest, have become repertoire standards for developing ensembles. As a conductor and clinician, he continues to work internationally, bringing his distinctive compositional voice to musicians worldwide.
Why we love this
Smith's gift for Grade 1 writing shines here. He creates genuine musical interest without overwhelming young players; every section of the band gets something meaningful to play, and the percussion writing adds color and excitement that keeps everyone engaged. The piece works equally well on concert or festival programs because the musical ideas are strong enough to stand on their own, not reliant on technical showmanship.
What to expect
Open spaces and bright colors define this piece, evoking the landscapes and cultures of the American Southwest. Bold gestures punctuate a generally flowing texture, creating a sense of adventure without relying on speed or technical complexity. The orchestration gives every section of the band room to breathe and contribute.
Who it's for
Young concert bands in their first or second year of playing together. The Grade 1 difficulty makes it accessible for developing players while the musical content and contest/festival designation suit bands looking to build program confidence at a meaningful level.
How to get the most out of it
- Build the percussion section's confidence early in rehearsal. Smith writes for timpani, mallet percussion, and auxiliary drums with clear purpose, so isolate these parts initially and let percussionists hear how their lines connect to the overall color.
- Shape the dynamic changes deliberately. The flowing performance character Smith describes depends on smooth transitions between sections, not sudden drops or swells that feel accidental.
- Balance the southwestern imagery by listening for the melodic and harmonic colors beneath the bold gestures. Young bands often push volume before refining blend, so direct their attention to how different instruments can support the same musical idea.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to set an engaging, energetic tone that captures attention from the first notes. Its multicultural content also works well in programs exploring diverse musical traditions or regional American music. Contest and festival directors value it for its musical substance and appeal across adjudication panels.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining intonation across changing dynamics and instrumental combinations
- Responding to conductor direction through multiple tempo and volume shifts
- Listening across ensemble sections to balance melodic and harmonic layers
- Sustaining consistent tone quality in longer phrases
- Counting and executing rhythmic precision in Grade 1 time signatures