A Very Viola Christmas: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$46.00 USD

A Very Viola Christmas: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: A Very Viola Christmas: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-43818
Price: 46.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Viola Section Feature (Featuring: Ding Dong Merrily on High / Deck the Halls / The First Noel / We Wish You a Merry Christmas)

Traditional / arr. Bob Phillips

Grade: 2

Item: 00-43818

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Showcase your violas! This piece will make them sound great! Featuring "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Deck the Halls," "The First Noel," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," it remains in 1st position mainly on the upper strings of the viola. Arranged by Bob Phillips. Correlated with Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 1, Level 5. (2:30)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Very Viola Christmas: 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: Sound Innovations for String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 96

UPC: 038081506807

SKU: 00-43818

More about this title

About the Arranger: Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips has shaped string education for decades through his prolific output as a composer and arranger. A pioneer in ensemble pedagogy, he developed the Sound Innovations series across all six levels and created groundbreaking eclectic styles publications (Fiddlers Philharmonic, Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, and others) that have expanded the musical horizons of string students nationwide. Over 200 of his works have been published for orchestras and bands, and he is an ASCAP award-winning composer whose music appears regularly on Midwest Clinic programs.

For 27 years, Phillips built the Saline, Michigan string program into a national model of excellence, cultivating over 700 students in both classical and contemporary styles. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, which became internationally recognized, performing more than 80 shows annually and appearing at the White House and major festivals. His conducting experience spans youth symphonies, all-state orchestras, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the Queensland Honour Ensemble Program, bringing decades of practical ensemble knowledge to every arrangement he creates.

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Why we love this

A seasoned string educator knows exactly how violas want to sound in an ensemble, and Phillips delivers a genuine feature arrangement that turns a section often relegated to harmony into genuine soloists. These four beloved carols sit squarely in first position on the upper strings where young violists gain confidence and tone quality, creating the rare holiday piece that serves both musical and pedagogical goals without compromise.

What to expect

Warm and accessible, these four Christmas standards arrive in string orchestra voices that feel natural and satisfying. The arrangement honors the familiar melodies while creating genuine moments of viola prominence, striking that sweet spot between tradition and fresh orchestration that audiences recognize and players enjoy.

Who it's for

String orchestras in Grades 2-3 with a solid foundation in first position who are ready to feature their viola section in a concert context. This works equally well for full orchestras looking for a short, impactful holiday piece or smaller viola-focused ensembles wanting substantial seasonal material.

How to get the most out of it

Bring out the viola line with a slight dynamic lift in measures where they carry the melody; Phillips voices these moments clearly, so a subtle emphasis makes them shine without drowning the supporting strings.
Balance the upper strings carefully during the tutti passages; violas need room to be heard without the violins overwhelming them, especially when the arrangement spreads the familiar tune across both sections.
Let the tuning settle before performance since violas carry substantial harmonic weight here; a few minutes of focused unison work with the viola section pays dividends in blend and intonation.

How to use it

A compact option for holiday concerts that doesn't require additional rehearsal time beyond your regular ensemble work; at 2:30, it fits neatly between larger works or as a closing festive number. The first-position writing aligns with Sound Innovations Book 1, Level 5, making it an ideal performance outlet for students working at that level.