To the Summit! (Strive for the Highest): Concert Band Conductor Score

Smith writes with remarkable clarity about ensemble balance, meaning your sections will lock in without constant reminding from the podium. The haunting woodwind solos paired with aggressive brass and percussion create genuine musical drama that motivates students to commit fully to their parts, and the Grade 3 orchestration stays accessible while the piece never sounds undercooked.

The work opens with ethereal, haunting woodwind solos that create an introspective atmosphere before aggressive brass and percussion punctuations jolt the ensemble forward. Once the driving rhythmic energy takes hold, the piece becomes propulsive and celebratory, carrying listeners toward the emotional summit the title promises.

Bands at the Grade 3 level with solid fundamentals in their woodwind and brass sections can program this with confidence. The piece rewards ensembles that have developed enough rhythmic independence to handle the driving, aggressive sections while maintaining sensitivity in the solos.

• Balance the opening woodwind solos by pulling back the upper woodwinds slightly; let the lower winds (clarinets and saxes) anchor the melody so the haunting quality registers without sounding thin.
• Mark clear cues for the brass and percussion entrances that punctuate the woodwind sections, as the ensemble will need to feel the sudden dynamic and textural shifts to land them with the aggressive character Smith intends.
• Build momentum through the driving sections by maintaining consistent subdivision in the rhythm section; lock your timpani and bass drum with the lower reeds and low brass to create the foundation for the energy your audience will feel.
• Rehearse the transitions between reflective woodwind passages and high-energy brass moments as distinct mood shifts rather than smooth blends; this contrast is what generates excitement.

This commission work fits naturally into a concert or festival program as a centerpiece that showcases both your band's lyrical control and rhythmic drive. Its uplifting character makes it ideal for season-closing concerts or competitive festivals where you want a piece that combines musical substance with audience engagement.

• Balancing solo woodwind lines against punctuating brass and percussion
• Executing sudden dynamic and textural shifts with ensemble precision
• Maintaining consistent rhythmic subdivision during aggressive, driving sections
• Transitioning between reflective and energetic musical passages
• Reading and performing the demanding conductor score across four-part ensemble scoring