Main Thematic Material: A principal theme—warm, lyrical, and often modal—represents family, home, and the central emotional core. Smith uses call-and-response between woodwinds and brass, and rotates the theme among sections to highlight different instrumental colors.
Following the introduction, the music evolves into an infectious rhythmic statement . This section is characterized by fast-moving eighth notes—particularly in the woodwinds—and a driving percussion section that gives the piece a "non-stop" energy. encanto robert w smith program notes
The piece shifts into a coda —an intense, fast finale. The original theme returns, but now it’s chopped up, passed around the band like a hot potato, and pushed to a breathless speed. The final four measures are a wall of sound, ending with a dramatic, full-band cut-off that should leave you breathless. The final four measures are a wall of