Climbing Above the Clouds: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Michael Kamuf
Grade: 1.5
Item: 00-PK-0008892
$50.00
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| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Climbing Above the Clouds: Score | $10.00 | |
| Climbing Above the Clouds: 1st Violin | $3.00 | |
| Climbing Above the Clouds: 2nd Violin | $3.00 | |
| Climbing Above the Clouds: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC]) | $3.00 | |
| Climbing Above the Clouds: Viola | $3.00 | |
| Climbing Above the Clouds: Cello | $3.00 | |
| Climbing Above the Clouds: String Bass | $3.00 |
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Description
The excitement and exhilaration of the first moments of flight are brought to life for beginning strings by composer Michael Kamuf. Climbing Above the Clouds is in D major, allows for all parts to have an opportunity to play one of the themes, work on arco/pizzicato transitions, and demonstrate mastery of dynamics. It is perfect as an opening or closing selection for your next concert! (2:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Climbing Above the Clouds: 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 Beginning String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PK-0008892
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Kamuf
Michael Kamuf earned degrees in Jazz Performance and Music Education from Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music, followed by a Master of Arts in Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University. His compositions and arrangements have been recorded by major jazz orchestras including the Woody Herman and Glenn Miller Orchestras, the USAF Airmen of Note, and the US Navy Commodores, as well as by accomplished soloists such as James Moody, Eddie Daniels, and Sean Jones. He served as assistant principal trumpet with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and has performed with both the Woody Herman and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras.
Kamuf spent three decades teaching instrumental music in Maryland's public schools, spending twenty-seven years as Director of Bands and Orchestras and Music Department Chair at John T. Baker Middle School in Damascus. His ensembles consistently earned high festival ratings and commissioned several works for young concert bands. He leads the Mike Kamuf Little Big Band, a jazz octet featuring musicians from the Baltimore and Washington, DC areas. As an exclusive Belwin composer, Kamuf has over 100 publications in print across jazz, orchestra, and concert band literature, with numerous titles becoming standard repertoire for beginning ensembles.
Why we love this
Kamuf has spent decades in the rehearsal room with beginning string players, and it shows in every bar of this piece. The orchestration gives every section meaningful moments with the primary themes, ensuring no student sits idle while others carry the melodic weight. The arco and pizzicato transitions provide a natural pedagogical progression without feeling like an etude.
What to expect
Climbing Above the Clouds lives up to its title with a sense of ascent and optimism that unfolds across two minutes. The D major tonality and bright opening create an immediate sense of takeoff, while shifts between arco and pizzicato give the piece textural variety and forward momentum. There's a celebratory quality throughout, as if capturing the buoyancy and wonder of breaking through cloud cover.
Who it's for
Beginning string orchestras at the 1.5 grade level will find this piece accessible yet musically rewarding. Directors seeking repertoire that distributes thematic material equitably across all sections will appreciate how Kamuf's writing ensures every player has a moment to shine. This work fits concert programs where you need an opener or closer that captures audience energy without overreaching technically.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening D major statement with gentle crescendos and releases; beginning orchestras often rush through ascending figures, so anchor the tempo with clear conducting beats rather than letting momentum take over.
- Mark the pizzicato passages in rehearsal to isolate the rhythmic precision required; once rhythm is secure, layer in the arco sections that accompany or respond to the plucked figures.
- Balance the dynamic contrasts by having players physically move their bows and fingers differently at forte and piano; this tactile distinction helps younger students internalize the written dynamics rather than simply adjusting volume.
- Use the two-minute duration as an opportunity to work on piece coherence; beginners benefit from performing the work several times in succession to build stamina and musicality across its full arc.
How to use it
This piece works beautifully as a concert opener, establishing energy and engagement before moving into weightier repertoire. Alternatively, use it as your closing selection to send audiences out on a buoyant, optimistic note. The two-minute duration and Grade 1.5 difficulty make it ideal for festival performances where you want a polished, confident presentation without extensive rehearsal demands.
Skills your students will build
- Arco and pizzicato transitions with clear articulation changes
- Dynamic contrast and shaping within the Grade 1.5 range
- Thematic ensemble playing, with each section carrying melodic material
- Intonation in D major tonality
- Rhythmic precision in passages combining sustained notes with pizzicato figures