Catawampus: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Bud Woodruff
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK01513603
$55.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Catawampus - Full Score | $7.00 | |
| Catawampus - Violin 1 | $2.50 | |
| Catawampus - Violin 2 | $2.50 | |
| Catawampus - Viola | $2.50 | |
| Catawampus - Cello | $2.50 | |
| Catawampus - Bass | $2.50 | |
| Catawampus - Harp | $2.50 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
The word Catawampus is often used to indicate something out of alignment or askew. Bud Woodruffs CATAWAMPUS, attempts to capture both meanings, with each variation quite opposite the ones closest to it; the theme being like an Indian lady doomed to live as a mountain lion, the first variation like a large, ferocious cat on the prowl, and then your own imagination can take over for the next two.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01513603
More about this title
Why we love this
Woodruff's willingness to let the music shift character radically between sections makes this ideal for orchestras ready to explore contrasts without technical overwhelm. The concept is clever enough to spark genuine discussion about what "askew" means musically, and the Grade 3 writing ensures your musicians can focus on interpretation rather than survival mode.
What to expect
Catawampus unfolds like a musical shapeshifter. One moment you inhabit a haunted, elegant space; the next, feline danger prowls through the room. The variations spin away from each other with genuine surprise, keeping listeners and players engaged by refusing to settle into any single mood.
Who it's for
String orchestras in grades 7-9 with solid ensemble fundamentals and enough rehearsal time to explore character work. This works beautifully for groups developing interpretive confidence and ready to move beyond purely technical challenges.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the theme's "doomed" quality first by letting the opening breathe; once your ensemble understands that mood, the first variation's predatory energy lands harder by comparison.
- Mark the transition points clearly in rehearsal so students aren't caught off guard by the dramatic character shifts. Woodruff's structure depends on audiences feeling the whiplash.
- Trust your students' instincts for the final two variations. Once you've modeled the first two contrasts, invite the section leaders to discuss how they might shape what comes next.
How to use it
Place this early in a concert when you want to catch attention and set a thoughtful tone. Its compact length and tonal variety make it an excellent pairing alongside more traditional string fare, or program it as a bridge between contrasting pieces that explore similar themes of transformation.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining contrasting character within a single piece
- Responding to rapid shifts in musical mood and energy
- Collaborative interpretation across multiple variations
- Balance and blend within string textures
- Ensemble cohesion during thematic transitions