Arctic Crossing: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Becky Phillips Bush
Grade: 1.5
Item: 00-PK-0007383
$49.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Arctic Crossing: Score | $9.00 | |
| Arctic Crossing: 1st Violin | $5.99 | |
| Arctic Crossing: 2nd Violin | $5.99 | |
| Arctic Crossing: Viola | $5.99 | |
| Arctic Crossing: Cello | $5.99 | |
| Arctic Crossing: String Bass | $5.99 |
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Description
Imagine the sounds of the Arctic with this lively minor melody that evokes images of an exciting expedition through cold winds and rough ice. Each section plays the melody, evoking images of a trek through the white tundra. A beautiful lyrical section will help your young orchestra create beautiful phrasing and perform with a mature string sound! This grade 1.5 string orchestra selection is a perfect concert opener or contest piece. (2:25)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Arctic Crossing: 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:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PK-0007383
More about this title
About the Composer: Becky Phillips Bush
Becky Phillips Bush has built a reputation for crafting accessible yet musically substantive works that resonate with young musicians and their directors. Her catalog spans multiple ensemble types, with a particular gift for writing orchestral music that balances immediate appeal with genuine pedagogical value.
Why we love this
Arctic Crossing delivers genuine programmatic storytelling without sacrificing playability. The structural balance between an energetic opening section and a carefully crafted lyrical midsection gives young orchestras meaningful material to work with, making it rewarding for both conductor and ensemble.
What to expect
Arctic Crossing opens with pointed energy and forward motion, evoking the challenge and urgency of polar exploration. The middle section softens into a graceful, singing quality that captures wonder and beauty within the harsh landscape before the momentum returns.
Who it's for
Young string orchestras tackling their first programmatic work benefit from the clear structural design and manageable technical demands at grade 1.5. This selection works well for orchestras building confidence with full ensemble playing and learning to shape musical narrative.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening melody with clear dynamic contours across the string sections; the passing of the theme between parts creates forward momentum when the lines breathe together.
- Approach the lyrical section as an opportunity to develop sustained tone quality and vibrato consistency. This contrasts sharply with the rhythmic precision needed in the opening, so mark these transitions clearly in rehearsal.
- Balance the viola and cello foundation during the thematic passages to ensure the melody sits forward without getting buried underneath busy accompaniment figures.
- Work the rhythmic details in the opening section early; clean articulation on pizzicato and detached bowings will make the 'rough ice' imagery register with audiences.
How to use it
Position this as a concert opener to establish an adventurous mood and engage your audience immediately. Its dual nature also makes it effective in a contest or festival setting, where the combination of rhythmic vitality and musical maturity demonstrates ensemble growth.
Skills your students will build
- Passing melodic lines between sections with clean handoffs
- Sustaining tone quality and intonation during lyrical passages
- Articulation control across pizzicato and bowed passages
- Dynamic shaping to support programmatic intent
- Rhythmic precision in the opening minor-key theme