Twas in the Moon of Wintertime: 1st Percussion
Arr. Robert W. Smith
Grade: 4 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0015590_PC1
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Description
"Twas in the Moon of Wintertime" is a traditional Canadian carol which was originally written in the Huron Indian language by a Jesuit missionary. Robert W. Smith captures the mystique of the native Indian culture, and voices the percussion to be as 'ethnically' accurate as possible. This is pure Robert W. Smith scoring. Haunting!
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Symphonic Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
160
SKU:
00-PC-0015590_PC1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith stands among the most performed composers for concert band and orchestra in the United States, with over 400 published works to his credit. Trained at Troy State University (AL) for music education and the University of Miami (FL) for graduate study, Smith has built a career anchored in the band repertoire while maintaining active work as a conductor and clinician across six continents.
His orchestral and band compositions have appeared on major television broadcasts, from presidential state ceremonies in Japan to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Olympic Games. Works like The Tempest and his symphonic cycle (The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey) have become foundational pieces in band libraries worldwide, demonstrating Smith's gift for accessible yet sophisticated orchestration.
Why we love this
Smith's approach to this seventeenth-century Huron carol transcends typical holiday fare. His ethnically informed percussion writing and atmospheric orchestration transform a sacred text into something genuinely evocative, giving your band a Christmas selection that feels neither contrived nor oversaturated. At Grade 4, it delivers sophistication without technical excess.
What to expect
Contemplative and haunting, with textures that evoke winter landscape and spiritual reflection. The ethnic percussion voices create an intimate, almost ceremonial atmosphere that honors the carol's indigenous roots while Smith's orchestration wraps the melody in warmth and mystery.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 4 level seeking repertoire with genuine musical substance and cultural awareness. Directors programming winter or Christmas concerts will find this arrangement offers an alternative to conventional seasonal literature while remaining accessible to developing ensembles.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody carefully against the ethnic percussion coloring. The instrumentation supports rather than competes with the tune, so avoid letting accompaniment figures eclipse the carol's essential line.
- Research the historical and cultural context of the Huron carol before rehearsal. Understanding its origins will shape how your students approach tone and phrasing with appropriate reverence.
- Give percussionists adequate solo rehearsal time. Smith's orchestration expects them to understand their role as cultural voice, not merely rhythmic filler, which requires intentional preparation.
- Shape the dynamic arc across the full score rather than section by section. The piece builds through subtle layering, and this effect depends on collective phrasing awareness.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a centerpiece for a winter concert's middle section, where it can provide emotional contrast to more energetic or festive selections. It also serves as a respectful nod to cultural traditions beyond the European carol canon, making it ideal for holiday programs seeking programming diversity.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing transparent textures and maintaining melodic clarity across varied orchestrations
- Reading and performing ethnic percussion instruments with stylistic accuracy
- Shaping extended phrases with dynamic continuity rather than sectional breaks
- Understanding arrangement technique and how orchestration can deepen musical meaning