Amazing Bass: String Orchestra Conductor Score

$10.00 USD

Amazing Bass: String Orchestra Conductor Score

Name: Amazing Bass: String Orchestra Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51738S
Price: 10.00 USD
Availability: InStock

A Bass Section Feature

Traditional American Folk Tune / arr. Bob Phillips

Grade: 1.5

Item: 00-51738S

$10.00

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A surprise awaits the audience as this famous, beloved melody takes on a completely different flavor as a feature for your young bassists! With a hint of jazz, the bass section learns walking bass lines. All sections remain in first position, with one half-step shift in the bass part. Most well-known as the melody to "Amazing Grace," the origins of this folk tune are lost in the mists of time. It most likely comes from Appalachia in the United States, though it has been given many titles over the centuries. This setting, as Amazing Bass, may surprise the audience and provides the perfect way to feature the bass section, as Bob Phillips arranges another highly playable bass feature. (2:00) Correlates to Sound Innovations Book 1, Level 4.

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Series: Sound Innovations Series for Strings

Publisher: Alfred Music

ISBN10: 1-4706-7382-7

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-7382-6

UPC: 038081596020

SKU: 00-51738S

More about this title

About the Arranger: Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips (born 1953) has shaped string education through decades of classroom innovation and prolific composition. His work spans 25+ book series and over 200 published compositions, including the entire Sound Innovations curriculum and genre-specific collections like Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, and Fiddlers Philharmonic. His arrangements and original works are performed by thousands of students annually and regularly featured at the Midwest Clinic.

For 27 years, Phillips directed the Saline, Michigan string program, building it into a nationally recognized model with over 700 students. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, which performed internationally and at the White House, and has served as resident conductor for youth orchestras, all-state ensembles, and prestigious summer programs across the United States. An ASCAP award-winning composer, Phillips is recognized for his pedagogical expertise in large-group instruction and his ability to write idiomatic, engaging music across classical and contemporary styles.

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Why we love this

This arrangement makes the bass section genuinely exciting to play without gimmick. The walking bass lines give young musicians the feel of real swing accompaniment while staying solidly playable, and the familiar melody grounds the harmony so players can focus on the new rhythmic challenge. Audiences consistently light up when a folk standard they think they know transforms into something contemporary and groove-oriented.

What to expect

Familiar yet fresh. The melody carries the warmth of the original tune while the bass section underneath propels everything forward with swagger and swing. For a moment, listeners hear an old spiritual reimagined through a contemporary harmonic and rhythmic lens, creating surprise and delight.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the 1.5 grade level ready to explore contemporary rhythm styles alongside classical technique. This works especially well for directors seeking a bass section feature that builds confidence in young players while offering the conductor a natural contest or festival vehicle.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the swing feel clearly during sectional rehearsals by having the basses lock their walking pattern before adding the other strings. Once the pulse is solid, the rest of the ensemble will sit naturally on top.
Balance the bass feature against the ensemble texture. The basses should cut through clearly, but the upper voices should remain warm enough to support the melody and provide harmonic context.
Treat the half-step shift in the bass part as a moment to lean into the contemporary sound. This single adjustment signals the style change to the audience and gives basses a chance to demonstrate control.
Shape the familiar melody through the upper voices with slight dynamics even as the bass drives the rhythm section feel. This keeps the traditional element audible while the accompaniment modernizes the piece.

How to use it

Program this as a bass feature on a concert that pairs classical and contemporary repertoire, or use it as a contest entry that showcases both traditional music and your orchestra's stylistic range. At 2 minutes, it fits efficiently into a varied concert without consuming rehearsal time disproportionate to its impact.