Donegal Fiddles: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Traditional / arr. Tim McCarrick
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PK-0004701
$49.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Donegal Fiddles: Score | $8.00 | |
| Donegal Fiddles: 1st Violin | $5.99 | |
| Donegal Fiddles: 2nd Violin | $5.99 | |
| Donegal Fiddles: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC]) | $5.99 | |
| Donegal Fiddles: Viola | $5.99 | |
| Donegal Fiddles: Cello | $5.99 | |
| Donegal Fiddles: String Bass | $5.99 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
This one is the real thing! These two Irish reels, "The Boys of Malin" and "The Gravel Walks" from County Donegal, are brisk and straight-ahead. All the players get fantastic parts, from the basses imitating the Irish hand drum, to cello and viola features in the first tune, to the violins playing in unison or octaves, racing to the end. This arrangement also offers the option of playing the tunes separately. It's the perfect opener or encore!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Donegal Fiddles: 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
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PK-0004701
Instrumentation:
string w/ vln3
More about this title
About the Arranger: Tim McCarrick
Tim McCarrick has built a reputation for bringing traditional music to school orchestras with arrangements that respect the source material while making it accessible to young players. His work in the Belwin Beginning String Orchestra series demonstrates a gift for distributing engaging parts across all sections, ensuring that every player feels invested in the performance.
Why we love this
McCarrick writes idiomatically for young string players without compromising the authentic character of these County Donegal reels. Every section of the orchestra gets rewarding material, and the flexible structure (play them together or separately) means you can program this as a snappy three-minute opener or stretch it into a full feature.
What to expect
Brisk and joyful, with the honest directness of a tune played at a ceili or kitchen session. The arrangement breathes the spirit of Irish fiddle music, complete with the rhythmic drive of traditional accompaniment patterns and the interplay you hear when multiple instruments trade the melody.
Who it's for
String orchestras in grades 2-4 who want to play something with genuine character and energy without needing advanced technique. This works equally well for ensembles exploring world music repertoire or programs seeking a traditional opener with contemporary appeal.
How to get the most out of it
- Treat the bass line as a bodhrán (Irish frame drum) would play it. That persistent rhythmic pulse is the heartbeat of the arrangement, so keep it locked and consistent rather than fussy.
- Bring out the cello and viola solos in the first reel with confidence; young players often undersell their featured moments.
- Find the lift in the unison and octave passages for the violins. These racing lines feel best when they're bright and forward, not rushed.
How to use it
Open a concert with one or both reels to set an engaging tone immediately, or save them for an encore when the audience energy is high. They also pair well with other folk or multicultural selections if you're building a thematic concert.
Skills your students will build
- Playing rhythmically aligned with a driving pulse
- Trading melodic lines between instrumental sections
- Maintaining clean unison and octave playing across an ensemble
- Balancing featured passages with ensemble texture
- Reading and executing traditional Irish melodic phrasing