Cake by the Ocean: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
As Recorded by DNCE
Words and music by Justin Tranter, Robin Fredriksson, Mattias Larsson, and Joe Jonas / arr. Victor López
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PK-0007342
$60.00
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Description
Get your strings rocking with this sure-fire, alternative dance song. No matter how you slice it, this song will certainly get your audience dancing in the aisles. Written by one of the Jonas Brothers with others, arranged by Victor López, and performed by DNCE (an American pop rock band), "Cake by the Ocean" is fun, upbeat, and different from most other pop songs in the market. Because of the repetitive nature of this song, it will be easy to learn. Three percussionists may play the drumset part in the absence of a drumset player. (2:15)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Cake by the Ocean: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Intermediate String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
152
SKU:
00-PK-0007342
More about this title
About the Composer: Justin Tranter
Justin Tranter is a songwriter and producer who has written and co-written numerous pop hits across multiple genres. His work spans collaborations with major artists and bands, bringing a sharp melodic sensibility and commercial awareness to every project. Tranter's ability to craft songs that resonate with broad audiences while maintaining musical substance has established him as a significant voice in contemporary pop songwriting.
Why we love this
Victor López's arrangement captures the infectious, propulsive energy of the original while building it specifically for string players at an accessible level. The repetitive structure makes it genuinely easy to teach and learn, so students spend rehearsal time grooving rather than decoding complexity. It's the kind of contemporary pop song that reminds orchestras why they exist: to make audiences move.
What to expect
Bright, propulsive, and unapologetically fun. The arrangement has attitude and momentum that pulls listeners off their seats, with the kind of infectious melody and driving beat that makes strings feel like they're part of a working band rather than a traditional ensemble.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the 2.5 grade level looking to program something that energizes audiences and students alike. This works especially well for orchestras balancing classical and contemporary repertoire, or for directors seeking accessible pop-rock literature that doesn't feel watered down.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythmic drive early. The song lives and dies by steady pulse; have the orchestra find the groove together before layering articulation details.
- Treat the string pizzicato passages as part of the rhythm section rather than accompaniment. They're as important to the feel as the drums.
- Balance the percussion parts so they anchor the texture without drowning the strings; three players on the drum set parts creates a fuller sound when a dedicated drummer isn't available.
- Dial in the rock-style phrasing in the main sections. Slight swing on eighth notes and accent the unexpected hits to match the pop-rock character.
How to use it
Program this as a closer on a concert where you want the audience to leave energized, or pair it with other contemporary pop-rock arrangements to create a fun intermission or finale set. At 2 minutes 15 seconds, it's perfectly sized as a palette-cleanser between heavier classical works.
Skills your students will build
- Playing in sync with a rock rhythm section and steady backbeat
- Maintaining driving pulse through repetitive figures
- Balancing pizzicato articulation with the ensemble groove
- Responding to pop-rock style phrasing and dynamic shaping
- Reading and executing contemporary string orchestration techniques