To Dance in the Secret Garden Cover Image

To Dance in the Secret Garden: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$70.00 USD

To Dance in the Secret Garden: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: To Dance in the Secret Garden: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-BD9677
Price: 70.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Robert W. Smith

Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-BD9677

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$70.00

Shipped

One moment…

From the pen of the renowned Robert W. Smith comes this work which includes all of his compositional trademarks: highly inventive percussion writing, stylistic solo creation, and tension and release, all with brilliant use of occasional dissonance sounding much more difficult than it plays. This is not for the faint of heart, but well within the grasp of a quality ensemble. Dynamic and highly dramatic! (5:56)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, To Dance in the Secret Garden: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

No sample videos found.

Series: Belwin Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 288

UPC: 029156218855

SKU: 00-BD9677

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith stands among America's most prolific voices in concert band and orchestral composition, with over 400 published works to his credit. He holds degrees from Troy State University (AL) and the University of Miami (FL), and his original compositions have been performed across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Works like The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey symphonies, along with The Tempest and other pieces for developing ensembles, have become staples in the band repertoire.

Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has reached audiences through major television broadcasts, Olympic ceremonies, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and opening day at Dodger Stadium. As both a conductor and clinician, he has worked extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Europe, bringing his distinctive compositional voice to musicians at every level.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Smith's hallmark approach to tension and release shines here, combined with percussion writing that sounds far more intricate than it actually is to execute. The occasional dissonance cuts through without overwhelming a Grade 3 ensemble, and the dramatic arc keeps both performers and audiences engaged throughout the five-minute span. This is the kind of piece that gives your band real concert presence.

What to expect

Dramatic and kinetic, with sudden shifts between tension and clarity that keep the energy alive. The percussion writing adds color and propulsion, while strategic dissonance creates moments of genuine harmonic intrigue without descending into obscurity.

Who it's for

Quality Grade 3 ensembles ready to tackle concert and festival programming with real musical substance. Directors seeking a piece that challenges students rhythmically and harmonically while remaining playable in a single rehearsal season.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the inventive percussion parts so they enhance rather than overwhelm the melodic content. Smith's writing sits clearly on the page, but clarity comes from intentional dynamic control across the full section.
Shape the solo passages with individual character. Smith creates specific roles for soloists, and committing fully to those moments makes the ensemble's supporting texture more effective.
Let the dissonance breathe. These moments are compositional choices, not errors. Trust them to land with proper articulation and intonation, which actually makes the harmonic tension more striking.

How to use it

Position this as a centerpiece in a concert or contest set where you want to showcase your ensemble's musicality and technical capability. The five-minute length and dramatic arc make it an ideal companion to lighter openers or more lyrical repertoire, giving your program both contrast and sophistication.