Big Sky Country: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Susan H. Day
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PK-0007381
$49.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sky Country: Score | $9.00 | |
| Big Sky Country: 1st Violin | $5.99 | |
| Big Sky Country: 2nd Violin | $5.99 | |
| Big Sky Country: Viola | $5.99 | |
| Big Sky Country: Cello | $5.99 | |
| Big Sky Country: String Bass | $5.99 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Upon hearing the words "Big Sky Country," one typically thinks of the western states; Montana in particular. This piece, however, depicts any place where the sky is vast, the view expansive, and the setting natural. The elements of the music, with sweeping melodic phrases and a few key changes (G, C, D), suggest a spirit of adventure, freedom, the outdoors, and the beauty of the land. This lively piece with melodic parts for all---using slurs, accents, divisi, syncopation, and accidentals---will capture the enthusiasm of players and audience alike! (4:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Big Sky Country: 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.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PK-0007381
More about this title
About the Composer: Susan H. Day
Susan H. Day has built a reputation as a composer who understands the practical needs of student orchestras while refusing to compromise on musical substance. Her works consistently appear on festival programs and concert stages where directors value both accessibility and genuine artistic merit.
Why we love this
Susan H. Day writes for young string orchestras with real musical substance. She understands how to craft sweeping, memorable melodies that engage every section while keeping the technical demands honest for Grade 2.5 players. The harmonic movement through G, C, and D major feels natural and expansive without sacrificing musical coherence.
What to expect
Open, energetic, and genuinely optimistic. The music breathes like wide-open landscape; there is space and light in the orchestration. The rhythmic drive and key changes create forward momentum and spontaneity, never allowing the piece to settle into routine or boredom.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 2 to 2.5 level who are ready for material with harmonic movement and rhythmic variety, but still need straightforward notation and manageable ranges. This piece works equally well for a school orchestra preparing for a spring concert or a festival competition.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the sweeping melodic phrases as long architectural arcs. Young players often fragment lines into small gestures; encourage them to think in complete musical sentences that build momentum.
- Lock down the syncopated passages with consistent subdivision. A light tap of the baton on the upbeat or a verbal count before these sections enter will anchor the ensemble.
- Balance the divisi passages carefully. The first violins will naturally dominate; cue the second violins and violas to ensure their independent lines sing through.
- Articulate the difference between the slurred and accented figures. These two elements define the character shifts throughout the piece; the contrast makes the music feel alive.
How to use it
Pair this with other Americana or outdoor-themed repertoire for a concert themed around landscape or journey. Its four-minute-ten-second length and bright character make it an excellent opening number or an effective mid-concert lift between weightier selections.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing divisi passages in multiple string parts
- Shaping sweeping melodic phrases across phrase boundaries
- Performing syncopated rhythms with metric precision
- Playing accidentals accurately within key modulations (G, C, D major)
- Balancing accented figures with slurred articulation for musical contrast
- Maintaining rhythmic independence in syncopated sections