A Tribute To Elvis (arr. Ted Ricketts): String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

This collection gives string orchestras legitimate access to repertoire that resonates with students and audiences alike. Ricketts' arrangements respect the melodic strength of these songs while crafting genuinely musical parts for strings; you're not getting a novelty or a jukebox transcription, but thoughtful writing that lets your ensemble sound polished and engaged.

These four iconic songs arrive with their DNA intact: the vulnerability of "Can't Help Falling in Love," the swagger of "Hound Dog," the tenderness of "Love Me Tender," and the infectious energy of "Jailhouse Rock." Orchestrated for strings, they gain a sophistication and warmth that honors both the source material and your ensemble's developing musicianship.

String orchestras at the middle school through early high school level seeking repertoire that bridges classical training and popular music literacy. Directors aiming to program a concert that connects with their community and students' own musical world will find these arrangements immediately engaging.

• Treat the swing rhythms with intentionality. These aren't straight eighth notes; allow the phrasing to breathe with the slight behind-the-beat quality that defined Elvis's style.
• Anchor the section leaders so they can shape the distinctive vocal contours of each song. Your violins carry the melody in ways that need flexibility and character.
• Balance sustain against decay carefully in the lyrical passages, particularly in "Can't Help Falling in Love," where strings often hold while other instruments drive forward.

Consider opening or closing a concert with this set to create a moment of cultural recognition alongside your core classical repertoire. It works exceptionally well as a second-half anchor piece when you want to shift the audience's energy while maintaining musical substance, or as the closer that sends people out smiling.

• Phrasing and interpretation in idioms beyond the classical canon
• Balancing rhythmic precision against stylistic swing
• Melodic awareness and line management in popular song structures
• Ensemble cohesion across tempo and dynamic shifts within familiar material