A French Folk Song: Score
Traditional / arr. Bob Phillips
Grade: 0.5
Item: 00-PR-0003346
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Description
A fabulous, tuneful practice of the G Major scale, this piece is the perfect first orchestra piece. It also provides the chance to learn or practice lo 2. All instruments get a chance to play the lovely melody. Correlates to Book 1, Level 4 of Sound Innovations for String Orchestra. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A French Folk Song: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Sound Innovations for String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
88
SKU:
00-PR-0003346
Instrumentation:
string w/ vln3, pno acc
More about this title
About the Arranger: Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips (b. 1953) has shaped string education through decades of teaching, conducting, and composing. His career spans from building a 700-student string program in Saline, Michigan, to conducting honor orchestras at state and national levels, including the All-State Orchestra at Interlochen and ensembles across the country. His pedagogical approach emphasizes large group instruction and stylistic breadth.
Phillips has published over 200 works for orchestras and bands and authored 25 book series, including the complete Sound Innovations curriculum and the eclectic styles series (Fiddlers Philharmonic, Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, and others). His compositions are performed by thousands of students annually and regularly heard at the Midwest Clinic. He founded the internationally recognized Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic ensemble and served as resident conductor and arranger for the Wintergrass Festival in Seattle for 12 years. An award-winning ASCAP composer, Phillips has also created instructional DVDs widely adopted by music teachers.
Why we love this
This arrangement hits the sweet spot for beginning orchestras: it builds foundational scale facility while delivering the immediate satisfaction of a real melody that students recognize and enjoy. Every section gets the tune at some point, which keeps engagement high and ensures no one is sidelined to background harmony for the entire piece.
What to expect
Bright and accessible, with the uncluttered charm of a folk melody. The arrangement gives students room to breathe and enjoy the straightforward beauty of the tune without overwhelming technical demands.
Who it's for
Beginning orchestra students in grades 2-4 who are solidifying their grasp of G Major and building confidence in ensemble playing. Conductors teaching Sound Innovations for String Orchestra Book 1, Level 4 will find this piece aligns perfectly with curriculum pacing and learning objectives.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a steady tempo in rehearsal that lets young players feel the melodic shape without rushing. A relaxed tempo early builds confidence and intonation.
- Use the conductor score to identify which sections carry the melody at each moment, then cue those entrances clearly so the transition feels seamless rather than abrupt.
- Balance the strings so the melody sings out regardless of which section holds it; this teaches students that every part contributes to the whole and keeps their focus on their own role.
- Spend time on the G Major scale patterns within the piece; students who recognize these patterns gain ownership of the material and improve faster.
How to use it
Schedule this early in rehearsal blocks when students are fresh; it serves as an ideal confidence builder before moving to more complex pieces. It also pairs well in a concert as a charming opener that appeals to family audiences and demonstrates fundamental ensemble skills.
Skills your students will build
- G Major scale patterns and intonation in a major key
- Passing melody between sections while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Phrasing and dynamic shaping of a simple melodic line
- Part reading and independence in a four-part string texture