To the Summit! (Strive for the Highest): Score
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0002990
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Description
Subtitled "Strive for the Highest," this uplifting work was commissioned by the Southeast District of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. Haunting woodwind solos are punctuated by the brass and percussion sections and consistent with Mr. Smith's work, each section contributes to the musical energy. Driving and aggressive, your audience will burst with excitement.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, To the Summit! (Strive for the Highest): Score 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 Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
366
SKU:
00-PR-0002990
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith stands among America's most recorded composers for concert band and orchestra, with over 400 published works to his credit. He holds degrees from Troy State University and the University of Miami, and his original compositions have traveled across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, performed by ensembles at every level.
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has anchored major television broadcasts, state ceremonies, and cultural events ranging from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Olympic Games. As both composer and conductor, he has clinicled throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Europe, bringing his distinctive voice directly to musicians and audiences worldwide.
Why we love this
Smith crafts moments that genuinely move audiences, and this work delivers exactly that energy. The orchestration keeps every section engaged with something interesting to play, from those haunting woodwind solos to driving brass punctuation, which means your band stays invested throughout rehearsals and performs with real conviction on stage.
What to expect
Tension and triumph coexist here. Woodwind solos float in with an almost eerie quality before brass and percussion shatter the quiet, creating moments of real drama that build toward a genuinely exciting finish. You feel the climb toward something greater throughout.
Who it's for
This is ideal for Grade 3 bands seeking a work that sounds substantial without requiring advanced technical demands. The piece appeals to audiences at both concerts and festivals, making it smart programming for groups building a competitive or performance season.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the woodwind solos carefully during sectional work; they're the emotional heart of the piece, so ensure the surrounding brass and percussion don't overwhelm them in full ensemble.
- The aggressive driving sections need rhythmic precision from the entire band. Lock the rhythm section early and build from there during rehearsals.
- Shape the dynamic arc from those introspective woodwind moments to the building excitement in the final sections; avoid letting the energy plateau.
How to use it
Open a concert with this to hook your audience immediately, or place it mid-program where you need an energy shift. It works equally well as a festival selection where judges and audiences respond to pieces with both musical substance and visceral impact.
Skills your students will build
- Dynamic contrast and phrasing in ensemble passages
- Balancing soloistic woodwind writing within a full band texture
- Rhythmic precision during aggressive, driving sections
- Shape and architecture across a multi-sectional work