Christmas at the Symphony: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Various / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PK-0008643
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Description
Christmas at the Symphony, arranged by Michael Story, is a medley of three classical holiday tunes. Although it is scored for full orchestra, this arrangement is playable by string orchestra alone or with any number of added winds or percussion. Mozart's "Sleigh Ride" German Dance No. 3, Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," and Bizet's "March of the Kings" are all included in this fantastic arrangement. (3:15)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Christmas at the Symphony: Full 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:
Belwin Intermediate String/Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PK-0008643
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Story
Michael Story is an accomplished arranger and composer whose work spans educational and professional orchestral settings. His arrangements are known for making familiar repertoire accessible to young ensembles while preserving the integrity of the original compositions.
Why we love this
Story's orchestration respects the character of three beloved classical holiday pieces while giving you genuine flexibility in instrumentation. Whether you're a full orchestra program or running a string-heavy ensemble, this medley works beautifully, and the grade 2.5 scoring means your students can focus on musical expression rather than technical survival.
What to expect
You'll experience three snapshots of winter and celebration drawn from the concert hall itself. The German dance sparkles with playfulness, the Nutcracker section opens into something magical and poised, and the March of the Kings brings the medley home with ceremonial warmth and grandeur.
Who it's for
This arrangement suits intermediate orchestras, community youth ensembles, and flexible school programs that may not have complete instrumentation. It works equally well for conductors building a holiday concert around classical rather than contemporary pop or traditional carols.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the three contrasting sections by rehearsing them as distinct movements with different musical personalities: the playful German dance, the crystalline Nutcracker excerpt, and the grand processional quality of the Kings march.
- If you're short on certain wind or percussion players, trust the arrangement's flexibility. String players alone will deliver a complete musical statement without feeling thin.
- Use the conductor score's cues to help younger players stay oriented during transitions between the three pieces. Point out these landmarks during sectionals so they know what's coming next.
- Shape the phrasing across the medley structure; resist the temptation to treat each tune as a separate encore. Find the throughline that makes it feel like a single concert moment rather than three disconnected pieces.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a holiday concert or use it to bridge classical and seasonal programming on a mixed repertoire concert. At just over three minutes, it sits comfortably as a full standalone piece without monopolizing your program, or it can anchor a holiday-themed segment alongside lighter fare.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing three distinct musical sections with contrasting character and tempo
- Playing from an orchestra conductor score with clear leadership cues
- Adapting to flexible instrumentation without losing ensemble cohesion
- Sustaining musical phrasing across a medley structure