American Princess: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$48.00 USD

American Princess: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: American Princess: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-26566
Price: 48.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Bob Phillips

Grade: 3

Item: 00-26566

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A new composition of dazzling beauty! The soaring melodies feature the cellos and basses while they explore 4th position, and the violins and violas while they experience 3rd. The creative use of mixed meter will serve as a great introduction to changing conducting patterns. Inspired by the composer's daughter (a bass player), this stunning piece tells the story of a young woman on her wedding day, an American Princess. 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, American Princess: 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: Highland/Etling String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 62

UPC: 038081291635

SKU: 00-26566

More about this title

About the Composer: Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips has spent decades reshaping how string students engage with music across multiple genres and pedagogical approaches. Since 1953, he has created over 200 published works and authored 25+ instructional book series, including the influential Sound Innovations method and genre-exploration collections like Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, and Mariachi Philharmonic. His work reaches thousands of student musicians annually, and his compositions are staples at major conferences including the Midwest Clinic.

For 27 years, Phillips built the string program in Saline, Michigan into a national model, eventually directing over 700 students across classical and eclectic styles. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, which became internationally recognized and performed at the White House and major festivals. Phillips has also served as conductor for state all-state orchestras across the country, assistant director for the professional ensemble Barrage 8, and resident conductor for the Wintergrass Festival in Seattle.

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Why we love this

American Princess tackles mixed meter in a way that feels natural rather than academic, giving your students genuine conducting challenges without overwhelming them. The piece's storytelling premise gives students a reason to care about the technical work, while the position work (4th position cello/bass, 3rd position violin/viola) serves clear pedagogical goals without sacrificing musical beauty. This is the kind of Grade 3 work that directors program because it genuinely excites rehearsals.

What to expect

Soaring and celebratory, with a warmth that comes from the full orchestra sounding unified despite the technical demands. The piece has a ceremonial quality that feels earned, especially as sections come together to support the central melodic ideas.

Who it's for

Grade 3 string orchestras ready to explore position work and mixed meter within a musical context. This works well for orchestras with solid fundamentals who need technical stretch without losing ensemble coherence, and for conductors seeking repertoire that teaches conducting skills alongside player development.

How to get the most out of it

Let cellos and basses breathe freely in their soaring lines; the piece lives in those melodies, so avoid rushing through the accompanimental sections.
Establish the meter changes with clear, confident gestures before rehearsal. Your students will lock in much faster if you model security in the conducting pattern.
Mark all position shifts explicitly in parts during sectional rehearsals. A dedicated 10 minutes on 3rd and 4th position work early pays massive dividends.
Balance the storytelling across sections. The narrative arc matters as much as note accuracy; encourage students to think about where emotional peaks occur.

How to use it

Perfect as a festival or contest selection where you want to showcase both artistry and technical growth. It also serves as an excellent mid-year concert piece, coming after students have built basic position competency but still offering genuine challenge in the mixed-meter sections.