Ballad in Blue: In memoriam Morton Gould: String Orchestra, Conductor Score

Reflective and lyrical, with an underlying current of respect and remembrance. The harmonies feel modern yet approachable, creating an introspective sound that lingers without requiring virtuosity to communicate depth.

Developing string orchestras at the middle school level or early high school ensembles seeking repertoire that combines technical growth with genuine musicality. Directors who want students to experience that a concert piece can be both instructional and moving.

• Shape the triplet figures as a natural rhythmic subdivision rather than an ornamental flourish; they should feel like part of the pulse, not added complexity.
• Balance the optional third violin part by ear during rehearsals. It enriches texture without overwhelming the main voices, but only if the section has secure intonation on the principal parts first.
• Let the contemporary harmonies breathe. Younger orchestras sometimes rush through unfamiliar chord qualities; a slightly spacious tempo emphasizes the emotional content Ferritto built in.

Program this as a centerpiece for a concert focused on American composers, or pair it with another contemporary work to show students the range of voices writing for strings today. Its elegiac character also makes it fitting for tribute or memorial programs.

• Reading and executing triplet rhythms in an ensemble context
• Interpreting contemporary harmonic language and voice leading
• Sustaining expressive phrasing across extended melodic lines
• Balancing optional divisi parts with clear intonation