Few composers have shaped the world of concert band and pageantry arts as deeply as Robert W. Smith. His music is instantly recognizable—lyrical, direct, and filled with heart. One of his most intimate creations, A Simple Song at Sunrise, carries a story just as warm as the piece itself.
A Melody Born on a Florida Beach
A Simple Song at Sunrise began its life in 1985, written for Suncoast Sound Drum & Bugle Corps as part of their groundbreaking production built entirely on original music. It was the first time a DCI corps anchored a program with a wholly original score—a bold artistic step at the time—and Robert met the moment with something timeless.
The melody was born the way only Robert could describe it:
“I literally sat on a beach and wrote the melody in a sunrise setting. The inspiration was clearly the place where we lived, and then we tried to find the things to which people would relate. For lack of a better term, I’ll call the show postcards or images of the Sunshine State.”
The piece later became a key part of his Florida Suite, a work that continues to resonate with concert ensembles around the world.
After His Passing: A Request from Family
When Robert W. Smith passed unexpectedly in 2023, the band world lost one of its most influential artistic voices. His catalog spans thousands of works—concert band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, percussion literature, and more. But for his family, A Simple Song at Sunrise was something special.
Robert often sat at the piano in his home and played this melody for his wife, Susan L. Smith, and their family. After his passing, Susan reached out and asked if I would set this particular piece for concert band as a way of preserving that memory. It was one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever been trusted with.
Who Robert W. Smith Was to All of Us
Robert’s impact stretches far beyond individual pieces. A few things that show just how broad his reach was:
- He studied and later taught at Troy University, helping shape one of the most respected band programs in the country.
- He wrote for major DCI organizations including Spirit of Atlanta, Madison Scouts, and Suncoast Sound.
- His concert works—In a Gentle Rain, The Great Locomotive Chase, Into the Storm, Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual—became staples of band rooms everywhere.
- He mentored countless young composers across decades of clinics, commissions, and educational work.
Above all, Robert W. Smith understood how to write melodies that felt like lived experiences—melodies that met people exactly where they were.
Why This Setting Exists
This concert band setting of A Simple Song at Sunrise isn’t about recreating the scale of a drum corps production. It’s about the intimacy of the original idea—the sunrise, the quiet moments, and the way Robert played it at home for the people he loved.
The goal was simple:
- preserve the warmth
- preserve the clarity
- preserve the personal touch Robert poured into the original
It’s a tribute not just to the music, but to the man who wrote it.
A Lasting Legacy
Robert W. Smith’s work will continue shaping young musicians for generations. His music teaches phrasing, color, imagination, and empathy. A Simple Song at Sunrise is one more reminder of why he meant so much to so many.
This piece was born on a beach, shared with a family, carried into a drum corps production, and now lives on in a new setting meant to honor Robert’s memory. And like so much of what he wrote, it still feels fresh—still feels human.
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