A Christmas Symphony: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Del Borgo's approach to these four carols feels fresh without becoming unrecognizable. Each movement stands on its own while the overall arc creates genuine architectural interest, giving your students the experience of performing a cohesive work rather than a medley. At Grade 1, the writing is genuinely playable while maintaining the character and warmth each carol deserves.

Warm and unpretentious. These melodies are beloved for good reason, and Del Borgo lets them breathe. The orchestration captures the comfort of these carols without adding unnecessary complexity or contemporary flourish. Your students will recognize what they're playing and feel the resonance of playing it together.

Beginning string orchestras that want to include holiday programming without sacrificing quality or stretching beyond their technical range. This works well for programs that include high school or community players alongside younger students, since the parts are accessible but not condescending.

• Establish clear tempos for each movement and use the transitions between them to reset your ensemble's focus and intonation.
• Balance the melody line across your section so the carol remains recognizable; resist the impulse to let it drift into the upper voices.
• Attend to phrasing by looking at the natural breath points within each carol's melodic shape rather than mechanically stopping at bar lines.
• Let the accompaniment patterns support the melody without overwhelming it; Grade 1 players often need reminders that simpler parts still require musical shaping.

Program this as a complete holiday concert standalone, or use individual movements to anchor different sections of a larger winter concert. It works beautifully as a transition piece between more dramatic or contemporary selections, offering your audience a moment of genuine musical repose.

• Maintaining intonation across four consecutive movements without stopping
• Balancing melody and accompaniment parts within a Grade 1 texture
• Executing clean movement transitions and managing ensemble focus between sections
• Shaping phrases within simple harmonic progressions
• Reading and executing basic dynamic and tempo markings across a multi-movement work