Civil War Echoes: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Robert Longfield
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00331178
$50.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Civil War Echoes - Conductor Score (Full Score) | $6.00 | |
| Civil War Echoes - Violin 1 | $7.00 | |
| Civil War Echoes - Violin 2 | $7.00 | |
| Civil War Echoes - Violin 3 (Viola Treble Clef) | $7.00 | |
| Civil War Echoes - Viola | $7.00 | |
| Civil War Echoes - Cello | $7.00 | |
| Civil War Echoes - Bass | $7.00 | |
| Civil War Echoes - Piano | $7.00 | |
| Civil War Echoes - Percussion | $7.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
As the nation commemorates 150 years since the Civil War, here is an appealing medley for young players that uses music of the period. The bugle call "Taps" originated during the Civil War and is used here, both at the beginning of the piece and incorporated again at the end. The tender ballad "Tenting on the Old Campground" provides lyric contrast, before the piece closes with the rousing spiritual "Free at Last". Dur: 3:25
Civil War Echoes: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00331178
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert Longfield
Robert Longfield brings thoughtful arranging craft to educational string repertoire, with a particular gift for making historical and cultural material accessible to young players. His arrangements prioritize clarity of line and emotional authenticity without sacrificing the learning value that makes music educationally valuable.
Why we love this
This medley works because it trusts the emotional weight of its source material rather than oversimplifying it. The arc from the stark opening of "Taps" through the vulnerability of "Tenting on the Old Campground" to the affirmation of "Free at Last" creates a narrative arc that feels earned, not imposed, and Grade 2 students can actually execute it convincingly.
What to expect
The piece carries the weight of its subject matter without becoming maudlin. There's a quiet dignity in how the three songs unfold, with "Taps" framing the journey like a bookend reminder of sacrifice, while "Free at Last" lifts toward hope without erasing what came before.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the high school or advanced middle school level seeking repertoire that addresses historical themes with musical substance. This works equally well for directors building a concert around American history or those looking for programming that resonates beyond the typical patriotic fare.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening "Taps" with restraint. Let the simplicity of the bugle call speak; excessive vibrato or aggressive dynamics will undercut its memorial character.
- Bring out the sustained harmonic movement in "Tenting on the Old Campground" by rotating bow emphasis among the sections so no one part dominates the tender quality.
- Build momentum gradually into "Free at Last" rather than jumping to full energy immediately. Students need to feel the spiritual's narrative trajectory from introspection to jubilation.
- Mark the transition back to "Taps" at the piece's close clearly in rehearsal. The return should feel like a reflective moment, not a repetition.
How to use it
Consider this for a concert built around American voices and narratives, perhaps paired with vocal selections or other string arrangements that explore similar historical terrain. It works particularly well in spring programming or in any concert exploring themes of resilience and memory. The 3:25 duration makes it substantial enough to anchor a set without overshadowing other works.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing period musical idioms with historically informed style choices
- Sustaining lyrical lines without relying on vibrato for expression
- Controlling dynamic nuance across an ensemble during longer phrases
- Understanding arrangement as a compositional tool for narrative storytelling
- Responding to sectional leadership cues during key structural transitions