The Greatest Generation - For Symphonic Band: 1st Percussion
For Symphonic Band
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 4
Item: 98-PC-RWS1701_PC1
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Description
Written for the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor and gathering of heroes from around the world in December of 2016, this stirring composition pays tribute to America's "Greatest Generation." Beginning with a heroic fanfare, the piece transforms into a lush and melodic underscore to highlight the beautiful and historic text. Originally narrated by World War II and Normandy veteran Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, this is the perfect selection to honor those that have served in the armed forces past and present.
Original Item#: RWS-1701-00
Original Item#: RWS-1701-00
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Additional Details
Series:
RWS - Symphony Band
Publisher:
RWS Music Company
SKU:
98-PC-RWS1701_PC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith has become a defining voice in American concert band and orchestral composition, with over 400 published works that appear regularly on festival and concert programs across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. He earned degrees from Troy State University (AL) and the University of Miami (FL), and his major symphonic works like The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey have established themselves as modern standards alongside his substantial catalog for developing ensembles.
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has reached audiences through televised events ranging from presidential ceremonies in Japan to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Olympic Games, and major network broadcasts. His work as a conductor and clinician has taken him to performance venues across the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and multiple European countries.
Why we love this
Smith captures genuine patriotic sentiment without resorting to bombast. The heroic fanfare opening immediately establishes dignity and gravitas, while the transition into melodic material gives your band room to sing and build ensemble cohesion. Programming this for a veteran appreciation concert or military recognition event creates a natural emotional resonance that audiences feel deeply.
What to expect
A procession of honor and reflection. The piece opens with ceremonial brightness and purposeful energy, then settles into warm, singing passages that feel like a sustained tribute to courage and sacrifice. There is no cynicism here, only earnest melody carried by full ensemble warmth.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 4 level seeking repertoire that honors service members and veterans without condescension. Directors programming special ceremonies, patriotic concerts, or festival selections will find Smith's straightforward idiom and compelling structure effective for both performance and audience connection.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening fanfare so that all sections cut through equally; this passage sets the ceremonial tone for everything that follows, so clarity matters more than volume.
- Shape the lush melodic sections with long-phrase thinking and strategic dynamic contours rather than relying on the written dynamics alone to create shape.
- Allow the accompaniment figures space to breathe beneath the thematic material; resist the urge to push the underlying harmonic progression forward too aggressively.
- Consider a slight lift at structural cadences to emphasize the composition's sectional architecture and give the band a moment to reset before moving into new material.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for ceremonies honoring veterans, servicemembers, or memorial events. It also works effectively as a concert opener that establishes a thoughtful, respectful tone for the entire program, or paired with other patriotic or programmatic works that explore American themes.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing across long melodic lines
- Balancing sectional independence with ensemble blend in fanfare textures
- Responding to programmatic and emotional context while maintaining technical precision
- Dynamic control across a wide expressive range from ceremonial to intimate
- Sectional and full ensemble coordination in passages requiring both independence and unity