American Rounds: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Featuring: Reuben and Rachel / Sweetly Sings the Donkey
Traditional American Rounds / arr. Bob Phillips
Grade: 0.5
Item: 00-PK-0004739
$45.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| American Rounds: Score | $8.00 | |
| American Rounds: 1st Violin | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: 2nd Violin | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC]) | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: Viola | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: Cello | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: String Bass | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: Piano Accompaniment | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: Violin Educational Pack | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: Viola Educational Pack | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: Cello Educational Pack | $5.99 | |
| American Rounds: Bass Educational Pack | $5.99 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Two tunes traditionally played as rounds create a perfect first orchestra piece for young players. "Reuben and Rachel" and "Sweetly Sings the Donkey" are arranged in D Major with no hi 3s or forward extensions. All sections have interesting parts using only quarter and half notes. Opportunities to teach basic tone and beginning slurs abound. Correlated to Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 1, Level 3.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, American Rounds: 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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Additional Details
Series:
Sound Innovations for String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
88
SKU:
00-PK-0004739
Instrumentation:
string w/ vln3, pno acc
More about this title
About the Arranger: Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips has shaped string education for decades through his work as a composer, arranger, and conductor. Born in 1953, he built a 700-student string program in Saline, Michigan that became a national model, blending classical training with eclectic musical styles. His published works exceed 200 titles, and he has authored all six levels of Sound Innovations alongside groundbreaking series like Fiddlers Philharmonic, Jazz Philharmonic, and Rock Philharmonic.
Phillips has conducted at prestigious venues and festivals, including multiple performances at the White House, the Midwest Clinic, and all-state orchestras across the country. As an ASCAP award-winning composer and former resident conductor at Wintergrass Festival in Seattle, he brings both pedagogical expertise and real-world performance experience to his arrangements. His instructional DVDs, String Clinics to Go, continue to support teachers nationwide.
Why we love this
These two traditional rounds translate beautifully into a genuine orchestral experience without overwhelming young players. The arrangement respects the inherent charm of the melodies while giving every section meaningful material, so no one sits idle during rehearsals. For groups just stepping into ensemble playing, this piece proves that learning repertoire and building tone quality can happen simultaneously.
What to expect
Charming and unhurried, these melodies settle into D Major like a familiar conversation. The arrangement honors the folk character of the rounds while creating moments of gentle warmth through the parts, inviting players to listen to one another rather than simply execute notes.
Who it's for
Beginning string orchestras working at Level 3 or transitioning students who are ready for a full ensemble piece but still benefit from straightforward rhythmic and technical demands. This works equally well for young musicians making their first appearance in a school orchestra concert or for mixed-age beginner groups that need accessible yet rewarding repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the long tones with gentle dynamic swells to encourage listening and blend rather than forcing volume.
- Isolate each round separately at first, then layer sections only after each group owns its part confidently.
- Listen for consistency in bow speed and weight across the section when introducing basic slurs; uneven slur execution often reveals tension rather than technique.
- Use the piano accompaniment to anchor young ears and provide a harmonic reference, then gradually reduce it as the orchestra gains security.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to set a warm, accessible tone before moving into more complex works, or use it as the centerpiece of a "traditional music" or "folk styles" segment. It pairs naturally with other Sound Innovations repertoire from the same book level, making it an ideal choice for a full rehearsal sequence.
Skills your students will build
- Long tone control and sustained bow contact on half notes
- Basic slur execution within a musical context
- Listening and blending within each section
- Reading and performing in D Major without extensions
- Independence through round performance and layered textures