Carol of the Shepherds: String Orchestra Score & Parts

$45.00 USD

Carol of the Shepherds: String Orchestra Score & Parts

Name: Carol of the Shepherds: String Orchestra Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-50250210
Price: 45.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Traditional / arr. Sandra Lentner

Grade: 2

Item: 36-50250210

$45.00

Shipped

One moment…

The spritely Bohemian Carol of the Shepherds gives first violins a chance to play in third position, and celli also have some fun stretches. The mood here is light and dance-like. Warning: the tune may get stuck in your head! (2:00)

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Series: LudwigMasters Holiday Music for Strings

Publisher: LUDWIGMASTERS

UPC: 676737718879

SKU: 36-50250210

Instrumentation: String Orchestra

More about this title

Why we love this

Lentner writes with an ear for what energizes young string players. First violins get a genuine technical challenge in third position without the piece becoming heavy or overly demanding for the rest of the section, and the cello parts ask for real musicianship without ever stepping outside Grade 2 reach. The folk melody carries the rehearsal forward; students stay engaged because the tune itself is memorable and fun to play together.

What to expect

A brisk village celebration captured in sound. The melody dances with the kind of lightness that comes from Bohemian folk idiom, and the arrangement lets you hear both the joy of the tune and the satisfaction of young players discovering what their instruments can do. Two minutes of infectious, forward-moving music that stays with listeners long after the final chord.

Who it's for

String orchestras in Grades 2-4 looking for a winter concert selection that builds genuine technical skills while keeping rehearsals enjoyable. First violins benefit most from the third-position work, though every section gets material that matters and sounds polished when prepared.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the energy in the bow stroke forward. A light, dance-like feel comes from crisp articulation and consistent bow pressure, especially in the faster passages where the folk melody tends to bounce.
Balance the first violin line so it sings without overwhelming the inner voices. The third-position work sits naturally at a comfortable volume level if the player remembers to voice through the phrase rather than punch individual notes.
Encourage the cello section to find the dance rhythm underneath the melody. When cellos lock into the groove, the entire section's pulse becomes solid and the piece practically plays itself.

How to use it

Pair this early in your winter concert to establish an upbeat tone before heavier seasonal pieces. It sits naturally alongside other Grade 2 folk arrangements and works as a confident opener that demonstrates ensemble precision without asking the audience to sit through lengthy, complex passages. The two-minute length makes it ideal filler material if your program needs breathing room between longer works.