Brittanic Tryptich: String Orchestra Conductor Score

Del Borgo's gift for orchestration shines here. He takes three beloved British melodies and weaves them into a unified whole that sounds far more sophisticated than its Grade 3.5 level suggests. Your students will feel like they're playing a complete concert work, not a simplified arrangement.

Warm and distinctly British, with the gentle lyricism of folk tradition. The arrangement respects the simplicity of each tune while surrounding it with tasteful counterpoint and harmonic support that gives the whole work depth and character.

String orchestras at the intermediate level, particularly groups building confidence with accessible yet musically rewarding repertoire. This works well for conductors seeking pieces that sound polished at concert time while remaining within reach for Grade 3-4 players.

• Shape the familiar melodies generously so audiences hear the tunes they recognize; resist playing them straight and mechanical
• Balance the flowing lines between violin sections; mark your score to clarify which voice carries the primary melody in each section
• Let the supporting harmonics breathe without overpowering the main themes; cello and viola lines anchor the piece without stepping forward
• Use tempo consistency across the three songs to unify the triptych and prevent the piece from feeling episodic

This triptych works beautifully as a concert centerpiece or as a bridge between more substantial works. Program it after a heavier piece to show your ensemble's lyrical side, or lead with it to set a graceful tone for the concert. The familiar melodies give audiences immediate entry into the program.

• Sustaining long melodic phrases with consistent tone and intonation
• Balancing melody and accompaniment voices within the same section
• Reading divided parts (particularly in violin and cello sections)
• Responding to subtle dynamic shaping that gives character to traditional tunes
• Maintaining ensemble cohesion across multiple contrasting sections