Bran Castle: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By William Owens
Grade: 2
Item: 98-DST6191
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Bran Castle: Score | $5.00 | |
| Bran Castle: Violin 1 | $7.00 | |
| Bran Castle: Violin 2 | $7.00 | |
| Bran Castle: Violin 3 (Viola T.C.) | $7.00 | |
| Bran Castle: Viola | $7.00 | |
| Bran Castle: Violoncello | $7.00 | |
| Bran Castle: Double Bass | $7.00 | |
| Bran Castle: Piano | $7.00 | |
| Bran Castle: Optional Percussion | $7.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Travel to the mountains of Romania in this work that depicts the site of Bran Castle, better known now as Dracula's Castle. The dark harmonic character of the work tells the tale of a forgotten past while a haunting melody portrays the very Prince Vlad Dracula of Wallachia. Students will certainly be enticed by this enchanting work!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Developing Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DST6191
More about this title
About the Composer: William Owens
William Owens (born 1963) grew up in Gary, Indiana, and has spent his career as an educator, composer, and conductor with a national presence. A 1985 graduate of VanderCook College of Music, he spent 30 years as a band director in Texas before retiring in 2014 to focus on composition and clinician work.
Owens has written over 300 works for concert band, string orchestra, and small ensemble since 1993. His music appears on required lists across the country, and his compositional approach balances accessibility with musical substance, making him a trusted voice for young ensemble repertoire. He holds memberships in ASCAP, TMEA, and Phi Beta Mu International, and has received commissions from South Plains College, the American Bandmasters Association, and other prominent organizations.
Why we love this
Owens captures vivid storytelling without sacrificing musical coherence at Grade 2. The programmatic arc unfolds naturally through harmonic color and melodic gesture rather than relying on heavy orchestration, giving young string players a genuine narrative to interpret. Directors appreciate his understanding of what students can actually execute while still delivering engaging concert material.
What to expect
Atmospheric and shadowy, with a sense of mystery that unfolds gradually rather than through shock or drama. The haunting melody carries a weight of sadness as it moves through the accompaniment, evoking a place heavy with forgotten history.
Who it's for
String orchestras at Grade 2 seeking concert repertoire with genuine programmatic interest. This work appeals equally to students who respond to storytelling in music and to directors programming a thematic concert around folklore, European history, or gothic literature.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the haunting melody with long, connected phrasing; even at Grade 2, the Prince Vlad theme demands expressive bow control and dynamic sensitivity to convey its melancholic character.
- Let the dark harmonic language breathe. Resist rushing through chord changes; slight space between phrases will deepen the atmospheric quality Owens builds throughout.
- Balance the section work carefully so the melodic line cuts through the accompaniment. String sections often want to match dynamics, but the principal part needs room to tell the story.
How to use it
Pair this with lighter or more energetic works to create dynamic contrast on a concert. The programmatic content makes it an excellent centerpiece for a unit on storytelling in music or for a Halloween or autumn concert with a subtle, sophisticated tone.
Skills your students will build
- Expressive phrasing and dynamic control within a lyrical melodic framework
- Interpretation of harmonic color and atmosphere at a young ensemble level
- Sectional balance and awareness of accompanimental texture versus melody
- Sustaining tone quality and intonation through slower, sustained passages