Arabian Dreams: Score
By Soon Hee Newbold
Grade: 3.5
Item: 98-DST6027S
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Description
Depicting some of the composer's favorite legends of the Middle East, Arabian Dreams is written in several sections. Beginning with imagery suggesting a fiery sunrise, the piece is soft and reflective in nature. Becoming more animated, it quickly progresses into the faster pace of market life before culminating in a magnificent ride on a galloping horse through a desert oasis. Soon Hee Newbold at her best!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Arabian Dreams: Score 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:
FJH String Orchestra
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DST6027S
More about this title
About the Composer: Soon Hee Newbold
Soon Hee Newbold draws on her multicultural background and extensive world travel to create works that authentically reflect diverse musical traditions. Beginning her own musical education at five on piano and later violin, she has performed as a concert artist with professional ensembles globally and maintains an active career as both composer and conductor, working with orchestras and bands across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Newbold's compositions span all performance levels, from beginning elementary ensembles to professional symphony orchestras, and have been heard at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Disney Hall. Her work extends beyond concert music into film scoring and multimedia projects in Hollywood, and she is frequently invited as a keynote speaker and guest clinician at festivals and conferences worldwide.
Why we love this
Newbold's gift is making programmatic storytelling work without sacrificing genuine musical substance. The narrative arc unfolds naturally through orchestration and texture rather than relying on gimmicks, giving string players a rewarding dramatic journey that holds together musically on its own merits.
What to expect
Arabian Dreams unfolds like a vivid traveler's account, beginning in quiet contemplation before shifting into the vibrant energy of a bustling marketplace. The final galloping section sends listeners racing across desert landscapes with urgency and joy.
Who it's for
Grade 3.5 string orchestras seeking repertoire that engages audiences and performers alike without oversimplifying the musical writing. Directors who want a contest or festival piece with cultural substance and clear narrative appeal will find a sophisticated choice here.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening sunrise section with careful dynamic control; the softness works because of precision ensemble balance, not just playing quietly.
- Let the market section breathe rhythmically. The animation comes from clarity of articulation and confident tempo rather than rushing; lock ensemble pulse early in rehearsals.
- Build the galloping finale gradually so the climax feels earned. Resist the temptation to start too fast; the acceleration should feel organic across the section.
- Use the programmatic storyline to motivate phrasing decisions. Students will connect musical shapes to visual imagery, which deepens their interpretive choices.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a festival or competition showcase piece that showcases both technical growth and musical maturity at the intermediate level. Its programmatic richness also makes it an excellent choice for a world music concert theme or as an educational bridge into multicultural repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Dynamic control across soft, reflective passages and energetic, rhythmic sections
- Ensemble balance and blend in varying textures
- Tempo flexibility and gradual acceleration techniques
- Articulation clarity in contrasting styles (lyrical, rhythmic, driving)
- Musical storytelling through instrumental color and phrasing
- Reading and performing music inspired by non-Western musical traditions