Danny Rocks: Score
Traditional / arr. Bob Phillips
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PR-0001098
$9.00
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Description
A Celtic rock explosion! The plaintive sounds of Danny Boy, set as a rock ballad, which builds into a frenzy with Swallowtail Jig and Drowsy Maggie. The energy level rises throughout and the rock beat intensifies, making this a great concert closer! Premiered at the 2007 ASTA National Conference, the violins and cellos are featured while all sections have cool licks with authentic Irish flavor. 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, Danny Rocks: Score 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:
Highland/Etling String Alternatives
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
144
SKU:
00-PR-0001098
More about this title
About the Composer: Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips has spent his career designing string music that reaches students across multiple idioms. Beginning with his 27-year tenure building the Saline, Michigan string program to over 700 students, he established himself as both a pedagogical innovator and a prolific composer. His work spans classical foundations and eclectic styles, with over 200 published orchestral and band works to his name.
Why we love this
Phillips knows exactly how to construct a concert arc that leaves an audience energized. The journey from the lyrical opening through to the raucous finale gives your ensemble a dramatic arc to perform, and the rock setting strips away any pretense—students feel the excitement in their fingers. This is the kind of piece that makes a concert memorable without sacrificing musicianship.
What to expect
You begin in reflection, holding the weight of Danny Boy's melody, then gradually feel the ground shift beneath you as a rock beat enters the picture. By the time Swallowtail Jig ignites, the music is infectious and irresistible, carrying forward into Drowsy Maggie with relentless forward motion and unbridled joy.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level seeking a showstopper that combines Irish folk authenticity with contemporary rock energy. Ensembles that thrive on driving rhythms, featured solos, and the kind of piece that makes audiences jump to their feet will find this a natural fit.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening Danny Boy statement carefully between violins and cellos; the melody needs space to resonate before the rock energy enters.
- Lock the rhythm section into a steady rock groove before adding the jig material; the pulse is what carries the building energy.
- Bring out the "cool licks" in each section (woodwinds, inner strings, lower voices) rather than burying them in the ensemble texture.
- Build the dynamic arc gradually across the three tunes; resist the urge to go loud too early, so you have room to crescendo into the final moments.
How to use it
Reserve this for your final concert slot or as an encore that sends the audience home buzzing. It pairs well in a program that moves from traditional classical works toward contemporary arrangements, signaling to your audience that string orchestras can be just as vibrant and modern as any rock band.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing across longer melodic lines in contrasting styles
- Locking into rock rhythm and syncopation alongside traditional ensemble balance
- Playing featured passages with confidence and stylistic awareness
- Dynamic control and shaping across extended builds and crescendos
- Reading and performing authentic Irish folk idioms (ornamentation, rhythmic drive)