A Christmas Festival: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$70.00 USD

A Christmas Festival: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: A Christmas Festival: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-33663
Price: 70.00 USD
Availability: InStock

A Swinging Christmas

By Leroy Anderson / adapted for string orchestra by Michael Story

Grade: 3.5

Item: 00-33663

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At last! A classic holiday masterpiece is now available to string orchestras thanks to this faithful adaptation of the original arrangement as performed by the Boston Pops at its premiere. All of the great melodies are present in this very playable arrangement. Certain to be a spectacular opening or closing piece for holiday concerts year after year!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Christmas Festival: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Pop Concert String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 124

ISBN10: 1-4706-5464-4

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-5464-1

UPC: 038081394336

SKU: 00-33663

More about this title

About the Composer: Leroy Anderson

Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) was an American composer and conductor whose gift for melody and orchestration made him one of the most recorded classical composers of his era. His works for symphony orchestra, from "Plink, Plank, Plunk!" to "Sleigh Ride," became staples of American concert life, performed by major orchestras including the Boston Pops under Arthur Fiedler. Anderson's arrangements and original compositions are prized in music education for their accessibility, wit, and genuine musicality.

Anderson studied composition at Harvard University and served as a bandmaster in World War II before launching his prolific concert career. His orchestrations demonstrate masterful instrumental knowledge and a practical understanding of what works in performance, qualities that have kept his music vital in schools and concert halls for generations.

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Why we love this

This arrangement preserves the infectious energy and melodic richness of Anderson's holiday classic while making it genuinely playable for developing string orchestras. Michael Story's adaptation respects the original's spirit without demanding advanced techniques, giving students access to repertoire that connects immediately with audiences and programs beautifully alongside traditional carols or lighter concert fare.

What to expect

Bright, nostalgic, and buoyant. The piece moves from one beloved melody to the next with warmth and good humor, capturing the excitement of the season without sentimentality. There's real joy in the orchestration and rhythmic vitality that makes it feel celebratory rather than precious.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the intermediate level (Grade 3-4 players) seeking substantial holiday repertoire that doesn't compromise musicality or demand excessive technical facility. This is ideal for directors programming their winter concert and wanting a showpiece that engages both young players and family audiences.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody between sections as the themes pass from violins to violas to cellos; make sure inner voices aren't drowned out when the full ensemble plays.
Shape the transitions between medleys deliberately; these brief connecting moments set up each new melody and keep the forward momentum alive.
Attend to the rhythmic precision in the faster passages; crisp articulation and unified bow strokes in the strings will let the festive character shine through.
Use the dynamic markings to create contrast between sections without exaggerating; Anderson's orchestration does much of the work for you.

How to use it

Position this as an opening or closing number for your winter concert; its energy and immediate appeal make it an excellent frame for the program. It pairs well before more introspective carols or chamber works, or use it as a finale to send audiences out in a festive mood.