Clouds: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Words and music by Zach Sobiech / arr. Jack Bullock
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PK-0006632
$58.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Clouds: Score | $9.00 | |
| Clouds: Flute | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: Oboe | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: Bassoon | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 1st B-flat Clarinet | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 2nd B-flat Clarinet | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: B-flat Bass Clarinet | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: E-flat Alto Saxophone | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 1st B-flat Trumpet | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 2nd B-flat Trumpet | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 1st F Horn | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 1st Trombone | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 2nd Trombone | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: Tuba | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: Mallets | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 1st Percussion | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 2nd Percussion | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: Timpani | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 1st Violin | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 2nd Violin | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC]) | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: Viola | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: Cello | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: String Bass | $3.00 | |
| Clouds: Piano Accompaniment | $3.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
An Internet hit, this poignant tune resonates with all who have experienced loss. Though repetitious, it is unforgettable and provides hope. (2:15)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Clouds: 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:
Pop Intermediate Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PK-0006632
More about this title
About the Composer: Zach Sobiech
Zach Sobiech was a singer-songwriter from Minnesota whose music touched millions before his death in 2011 at age 18. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma as a teenager, he continued creating music that spoke to his experience and resonated far beyond his immediate circle. His compositions reflect genuine emotion and accessibility, making them valuable additions to the educational repertoire.
Sobiech's work demonstrates that powerful music can emerge from deeply personal places and still connect universally with listeners. For music educators, his compositions offer opportunities to explore contemporary songwriting, emotional authenticity, and the ways popular music can serve serious artistic purposes.
Why we love this
Arranger Jack Bullock captures the reflective heart of Sobiech's original while crafting an orchestration that sits comfortably at Grade 2.5 without sacrificing emotional impact. The repetitive melodic structure that makes the song unforgettable in its original form translates beautifully to full orchestra, giving every section memorable material to play. This piece works as both a meaningful concert selection and a teaching tool for how popular music translates across ensembles.
What to expect
Clouds unfolds as a contemplative landscape, where simple melodic lines carry weight through their sincerity rather than complexity. The orchestration creates space around the tune, allowing listeners to sit quietly with the music's message of loss and resilience without overwhelming sentiment.
Who it's for
This score and parts set works for middle school through early high school orchestras seeking meaningful contemporary repertoire that connects with student musicians. It's particularly valuable for directors programming pieces that acknowledge loss, hope, and emotional truth without requiring advanced technical facility.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the gentle, sustained quality in the string lines; resist pushing tempo despite the piece's emotional directness, allowing the melody to breathe naturally.
- Balance the ensemble so the primary melody always registers clearly, since the arrangement relies on thematic recognition to maintain the piece's poignancy.
- Pay attention to dynamic shape within phrases rather than playing at a single level; small crescendos and diminuendos give the repetitive structure musical arc.
- Use the 2:15 length to your advantage in rehearsals by focusing on consistency and ensemble blend across full run-throughs, which builds confidence in younger orchestras.
How to use it
Include this on concerts exploring contemporary songwriting or thematic programs about resilience and emotional growth. Its accessible grade level makes it suitable for mid-year programming when developing orchestras need engaging material that also builds musicianship. The piece also works well paired with standard orchestral literature to show how modern composition serves concert halls.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long phrases with consistent tone and intonation
- Balancing sectional layers within a transparent orchestration
- Responding to subtle dynamic shaping and expressive detail
- Ensemble cohesion in slower tempi
- Recognizing how repetition serves emotional purpose rather than indicating lack of sophistication