A Caravan of Kings: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$50.00 USD

A Caravan of Kings: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: A Caravan of Kings: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-46708
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Traditional / arr. Richard Meyer

Grade: 2

Item: 00-46708

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Teaching opportunities abound in this fresh and creative arrangement of the carol "We Three Kings." The piece depicts the kings' famous nocturnal trek across the desert and is a great way to introduce your students to low finger patterns (B-flats and E-flats), simple time-signature changes, and the concept of "tone painting." Percussion parts have been added to enhance the mysterious mood. A real change of pace on your next holiday concert! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

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Series: Highland/Etling String Explorer

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 74

UPC: 038081532813

SKU: 00-46708

More about this title

About the Arranger: Richard Meyer

Richard Meyer spent 35 years teaching strings across elementary, middle, and high school levels in public schools. He directed orchestras at Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City, California for 22 years, expanding the program from 29 students to 200, and oversaw the district's elementary string curriculum. His work extends beyond the classroom: he served as music director of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra for 16 years, leading performances across North America, Europe, and Australia.

Meyer's impact on music education is visible in his commissioned works and published arrangements. Over 190 compositions and arrangements bear his name, and he served as string editor for Alfred Publishing for 16 years while co-authoring influential string method materials including the String Explorer Series. He founded the "Giving Bach" program in 2009, which has earned national recognition for its interactive concert model serving students with special needs and those in under-resourced schools throughout Southern California. He continues an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician at major conferences and honor orchestras.

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Why we love this

Meyer captures the drama of the nativity story without sacrificing pedagogical clarity. The arrangement layers teaching opportunities (low finger patterns, time signature shifts, tone painting) into a piece that genuinely sounds like a journey across desert nights, with percussion adding color and mystery. Directors get holiday programming that strengthens technique while students experience how musical choices tell a narrative.

What to expect

A nocturnal journey across sand dunes lit by starlight. The arrangement evokes the solemnity and wonder of the carol while adding orchestral color and forward momentum. Mysterious and contemplative, it transforms a familiar melody into something that feels both timeless and fresh.

Who it's for

Grade 2 string orchestras seeking a holiday piece with genuine musical substance. Directors will value the teaching moments embedded in the arrangement; students get a narrative-driven piece that rewards focused listening and thoughtful execution.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening phrases to establish the midnight trek. Support the lower strings in establishing a steady pulse, then gradually introduce the layered melodic lines that depict the kings' procession.
Emphasize the low finger patterns (B-flats and E-flats) in rehearsal by isolating these passages. Have students mark the patterns clearly in their parts so the intonation remains secure when tempo shifts.
Allow the time-signature changes to breathe. Conduct clearly through each transition so students hear the metric modulation as intentional punctuation, not disruption.
Balance the percussion parts to enhance rather than overshadow the strings. The added percussion should deepen the mysterious mood without pulling focus from the carol's melody.

How to use it

Program this as a concert centerpiece or closing piece on a winter concert featuring other holiday repertoire. It offers enough musical substance to anchor a program and enough narrative appeal to engage audiences, while remaining accessible enough that students can prepare it alongside other mid-level repertoire without additional rehearsal burden.