Christmas Bells for Smart Phone or Tablet: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Ding Dong Merrily on High
Traditional / arr. Bob Phillips
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PK-0006085
$46.00
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Description
Featuring a "guest soloist" playing smart phone or tablet, this one is beautiful and fun! Gorgeous string parts interact with the simple bell part. Invite an administrator to play "bells" and be creative with staging. (2:35) 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, Christmas Bells for Smart Phone or Tablet: 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:
Belwin Intermediate String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
78
SKU:
00-PK-0006085
More about this title
About the Arranger: Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips has shaped string education for decades through both his teaching and his prolific compositional output. Since 1953, he has created over 200 works for orchestras and bands, authored more than 25 instructional series (including Sound Innovations and the eclectic styles collections Fiddlers Philharmonic, Jazz Philharmonic, and Rock Philharmonic), and earned recognition as an ASCAP award-winning composer whose works regularly appear at the Midwest Clinic.
For 27 years, Phillips built the Saline, Michigan string program into a national model serving over 700 students across classical and contemporary idioms. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, which performed internationally and at the White House, and has guest conducted all-state orchestras, youth symphonies, and prestigious summer programs including Interlochen and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. His instructional DVDs, String Clinics to Go, continue to support teachers nationwide.
Why we love this
Phillips designed this piece to engage administrators and build excitement during winter concerts, and the results feel fresh despite the familiar melody. The string writing is genuinely beautiful, giving young orchestras real musical substance while the novelty element keeps rehearsals energized and audiences delighted by the staging possibilities.
What to expect
Warm and playful, with the familiarity of traditional bell sounds meeting lush string textures. The novelty of the smartphone or tablet soloist creates an unexpectedly charming moment that feels contemporary and fun while remaining musically satisfying.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level (Grade 2.5) looking for a novelty piece that doesn't sacrifice musical quality. This works especially well when you want to feature an administrator or special guest and need something that will generate genuine audience engagement without requiring a trained musician in the spotlight.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the bell part carefully so it remains audible without overwhelming the string texture; the smartphone or tablet player should sit where they can see the conductor clearly.
- Work the string sections independently at first to lock in the rhythmic accompaniment before layering in the bell melody.
- Rehearse the staging well in advance; consider sight lines and whether the soloist plays from the conductor's podium, stage center, or another position that serves your performance space.
How to use it
Program this as a winter concert highlight where you can invite a principal, superintendent, or beloved staff member to take the spotlight. Its 2:35 length and Grade 2.5 difficulty make it ideal for mid-concert pacing, and the novel staging provides a natural talking point in your program notes.
Skills your students will build
- Balance and blend within sustained harmonic textures
- Rhythmic precision while accompanying a melody line
- Responding to a non-traditional soloist and maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Dynamic control in supporting vs. featured roles