''Gemeinhardt Suite'' is a symphonic band suite composed by Robert W. Smith, in 1997. It was commissioned by, and dedicated to the '' Gemeinhardt Company'', makers of all types of

flute The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...

s, and piccolos. It is scored for the typical wind orchestra, as well as an extended flute choir. The piece is considered a staple in flute repertory, though it has been overshadowed by some of Smith’s other, more versatile works – as well as other older, and famous works from other composers. This composition is a contemporary

concerto A concerto (; plural ''concertos'', or ''concerti'' from the Italian plural) is, from the late Baroque era, mostly understood as an instrumental composition, written for one or more soloists accompanied by an orchestra or other ensemble. The typi ...

, one of two that Smith wrote, the other being the ''Willson Suite'', for the euphonium. The entire suite is devoted to the flute family. It is divided into three movements: ''Carousel'', ''Telling Stories to the Sea'', and, ''Ceremony of Flute and Drum''.

Movements

Movement One: “Carousel”

The first movement relies heavily on the woodwind side of a

concert band A concert band, also called a wind band, wind ensemble, wind symphony, wind orchestra, symphonic band, the symphonic winds, or symphonic wind ensemble, is a performing ensemble consisting of members of the woodwind, brass, and percussion famil ...

. Underneath an intricate flute solo, there are

clarinet The clarinet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family. The instrument has a nearly cylindrical bore and a flared bell, and uses a single reed to produce sound. Clarinets comprise a family of instruments of differing sizes and pitches ...

s, and saxophones walking to a pleasant beat which sounds uncannily like a

carousel A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (List of sovereign states, international), roundabout (British English), or hurdy-gurdy (an old term in Australian English, in South Australia, SA) is a type of amusement ...

. The solo flautist is given the choice of a technically demanding version, or a slightly simplified version. Either option involves long solos performed in free time with no meter. The movement only brings up the brass section two/three times before drawing to a loud close.

Movement Two: “Telling Stories to the Sea”

The second movement is playing by a moderately-sized extended flute choir. Along with the four-six C Flutes, 1 C piccolo, 1 bass flute, marimbas, bongos, and shakers are needed. The movement unravels quickly, giving a bass flute solo/flute solo/piccolo solo/flute solo before a rhythmically complex closing.

Movement Three: “Ceremony of Flute and Drum”

The final movement is similar (in formation) to the first, however, relies heavily, this time, on the brass/percussion section. It is a very earthy song dispersed with challenging, rapidly moving flute and other woodwind phrases, winding around blocks of the brass body. This movement is the most demanding of the entire concert-band out of all the movements, and the solo flautist is given quite the work-out, right up until the charged ending. {{classical-composition-stub Compositions by Robert W. Smith Orchestral suites Flute concertos Concert band pieces