Battle of the Bows: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$60.00 USD

Battle of the Bows: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Battle of the Bows: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-ST6555
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Chris Thomas

Grade: 2.5

Item: 98-ST6555

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$60.00

Shipped

One moment…

Experience a contest of strength, bravery, and determination. With constant momentum and energy, the music explores a range of articulations and dynamics as each section competes for supremacy. Bravado, dynamic contrast, independence, and excitement---it is all here and ready to showcase your orchestra! (2:30)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Battle of the Bows: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

Series: FJH Developing Strings

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 241444447970

SKU: 98-ST6555

More about this title

About the Composer: Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas composes across film, television, theme parks, and the concert stage. His accolades include a Hollywood Music in Media Award, two American Prize placements in composition, a Global Music Award, and the Gold Medal at the Park City Film Music Festival. His scores have underscored Emmy-nominated documentaries and The Woman Rebel, which earned an Academy Award shortlist nomination. His work reaches audiences in Sony, ABC, FOX, CBS, and HBO productions, as well as in theme parks globally from Evermore Adventure Park to Knott's Berry Farm.

Thomas's concert music has graced Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Hollywood Bowl. His Malheur Symphony, the subject of his 2019 TED Talk, reflects his commitment to large-scale narrative composition. Learn more at www.christhomasmusic.com.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Battle of the Bows channels the energy of Thomas's film and television work into a piece that genuinely excites young string players. The constant momentum and sectional independence create natural drama without requiring advanced technique, making it ideal for orchestras ready to step beyond beginner material but not yet tackling complex textures.

What to expect

Energetic competition propels the entire piece forward. The constant interplay between sections creates a sense of playful challenge, with each group staking its claim through bold articulations and contrasting dynamics.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the intermediate level who need a piece that builds independence among sections while maintaining audience engagement. This works equally well for concert programming and festival competition, offering substance without excessive technical demand.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the pulse early in rehearsal. This piece lives on forward momentum, so even during sectional work, keep a steady tempo to prevent the energy from dissipating.
Shape the dynamic contrasts deliberately. When one section yields the melodic line, that section should pull back noticeably, not just soften slightly.
Isolate articulation patterns by section. Violins and violas often move differently rhythmically, so block out separate rehearsal time to lock each group's figures before combining.
Conduct the sectional competition with clear gestures. The audience should feel the musical contest happening on stage, so your conducting must telegraph which section is 'winning' at any given moment.

How to use it

Open a concert with this to establish an exciting, confident tone immediately. Alternatively, program it at mid-concert to give your audience a break from more introspective repertoire while showcasing your orchestra's rhythmic precision and sectional clarity.