Twelve Seconds to the Moon: 3rd Percussion
By Robert W. Smith
Grade: 6 (Difficult)
Item: 00-PC-0002040_PC3
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Description
Twelve Seconds to the Moon is a celebration of man's conquest of the sky and the heavens above. While the Wright Brothers' first manned flight lasted a mere twelve seconds, astronauts were soon walking the surface of the moon. Robert W. Smith's spectacular sonic adventure stretches the envelope with some of the most exotic and adventurous scoring for percussion and winds ever achieved. Searing and blistering musical lines merge with explosive percussion to make this one of the most sensational works for wind ensemble or concert band in concert band literature today. (12:06)
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Symphonic Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
482
SKU:
00-PC-0002040_PC3
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith stands among America's most prolific composers of concert band and orchestral music, with over 400 publications in wide circulation. He holds degrees in music education from Troy State University and a master's degree from the University of Miami, and has established himself as both a composer and conductor through performances and clinician work across North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and the United Kingdom.
Smith's symphonic works for band and orchestra have reached global audiences. His first two symphonies, The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, along with pieces like The Tempest, have become repertoire staples. Beyond concert hall premieres, his compositions have appeared in high-profile contexts spanning Olympic Games broadcasts, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and opening ceremonies honoring dignitaries.
Why we love this
Smith writes with an ear for what makes concert bands sound their absolute best. Twelve Seconds to the Moon delivers the kind of orchestral sophistication and driving energy that leaves audiences breathless while remaining playable by ensembles at this level. The percussion writing is fearless and inventive without sacrificing musicality, and the wind lines sing with both power and precision.
What to expect
A sonic journey that captures wonder and ambition in sound. The music surges with the propulsive energy of rockets and spacecraft, then opens into moments of awe and discovery. Smith's orchestration creates simultaneous layers of tension and exhilaration, where explosive percussion punctuates soaring melodic lines, making the familiar concept of flight feel urgent and magnificent.
Who it's for
Directors of advanced high school and college-level concert bands preparing contest submissions or featured concert repertoire. This is material for ensembles with strong individual section leaders, confident percussionists, and the technical chops to tackle Grade 6 demands without sacrificing musicality.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the aggressive percussion textures against the melodic material in the winds; let both layers breathe independently rather than drowning one in the other.
- Establish a rock-solid pulse in the brass foundation, particularly through the faster passagesbut avoid metronomic rigidity in the more lyrical passages.
- Shape the "blistering" wind lines with clear phrase direction; think of each section as a sprint with strategic breathing points, not a sustained marathon.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece or closer on a concert celebrating human achievement and exploration. It pairs effectively with other large-scale concert band works that showcase orchestration and ensemble power. The 12-minute duration and contest/festival designation make it ideal for spring concert programming or festival competition builds.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing complex percussion writing across multiple instruments
- Balancing dense harmonic textures and layered orchestration
- Sustaining rhythmic precision through rapid articulations and syncopated passages
- Shaping extended melodic phrases across sectional ensemble writing
- Responding to dramatic dynamic and textural contrasts at Grade 6 difficulty