Changing of the Guards: Score
By Susan H. Day
Grade: 1.5
Item: 00-PR-0003841
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Description
This piece was inspired by a visit to London's Buckingham Palace, with its colorful tradition of the changing of the guards. Set in the key of D Major, the chordal harmonies and dotted quarter rhythms bring a picture of royalty to mind. Other main teaching points are lift signs, a round section, and the use of high 3rd fingers to attain great in-tune chords. Interesting parts for all sections with many learning opportunities---a perfect choice! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Changing of the Guards: Score 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:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
62
SKU:
00-PR-0003841
More about this title
About the Composer: Susan H. Day
Susan H. Day has established herself as a prolific composer for young and developing musicians, with a catalog that spans strings, winds, and mixed ensembles. Her writing consistently balances musical authenticity with pedagogical clarity, creating pieces that teach while they engage.
Day's compositional approach centers on accessibility without compromise. Her arrangements and original works for school ensembles have become staples in music curricula, valued for their ability to develop technique, intonation, and musicianship across all ability levels.
Why we love this
Day writes with a conductor's eye for pedagogy. Every part stays engaging without overwhelming; the round section and lift signs become genuine teaching moments rather than obstacles. The dotted quarter rhythms and D Major harmonies create immediate character, so students hear why they're playing it the moment rehearsals begin.
What to expect
Pageantry and precision. The D Major key and choral harmonies evoke ceremony and formality, while the dotted rhythms add forward motion and liveliness. There's real elegance here, not just pomp; students feel the dignity of the music as they play it.
Who it's for
Grade 1.5 string orchestras ready to develop intonation awareness and rhythmic maturity. This works well for orchestras with secure bow control and enough string section size to support the chordal writing without strain.
How to get the most out of it
- Address the intonation demands of sustained high 3rd-finger chords early. Have players check their hand position and listen critically during warm-ups before tackling the full passages.
- Shape the dotted quarter rhythms with clear articulation and rhythmic lift. These rhythms carry the pageantry; let them breathe rather than rush them.
- Balance the round section so no part dominates. Rotating which section leads each iteration helps players hear the texture clearly and builds confidence in their independence.
- Use lift signs to reset ensemble focus between phrases. Mark these in parts so players recognize them as intentional musical punctuation, not just conducting gestures.
How to use it
Program this early in a concert to set a ceremonial or patriotic tone, or pair it with other Grade 1.5-2 pieces that showcase string orchestra color. Its moderate length and clear ending make it an excellent closing piece for a student concert.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining uniform intonation on chords, especially with raised 3rd fingers
- Executing and responding to lift signs in ensemble
- Playing dotted quarter rhythms with rhythmic clarity and precision
- Independence and balance in a round or canon texture
- Maintaining lyrical phrasing within a programmatic context