Dreams: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
As Performed by Van Halen
Words and music by Sammy Hagar, Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony / arr. Mark Wood
Grade: 3-4
Item: 00-PK-0008720
$80.00
One moment…
Description
Dreams is one of the great Van Halen songs now transcribed for string orchestra. As a string player, I was enamored with Eddie Van Halen. He was a big influence on me while I was studying at Juilliard. I purposely lowered the key to A major for better playability. The tempo is brisk, yet very attainable. The upbeat and positive posture of this composition was a big attraction to me as a musician, and it was an honor for me to show great respect to the song and our string world! The play-along tracks feature my personal band! (4:35)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Dreams: 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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Sample Audio
1
Full Performance
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2
Play-Along
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Full Performance
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Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
Mark Wood Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PK-0008720
More about this title
About the Composer: Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar is a rock vocalist and multi-instrumentalist best known as the lead singer of Van Halen from 1985 to 2007 and again from 2016 until the band's dissolution in 2020. His powerful voice and dynamic stage presence made him one of rock music's most recognizable frontmen, and his songwriting contributions helped define the band's sound across multiple decades. Hagar's work spans rock, hard rock, and pop styles, and his influence extends across generations of musicians who admire his vocal range and musical versatility.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the soaring melodic beauty and emotional lift of 'Dreams' while making it fully accessible for intermediate string orchestras. Mark Wood's orchestration respects the rock original while showcasing what string players can do with contemporary material, and the included play-along tracks with his personal band create an energetic, professional context that students genuinely want to be part of.
What to expect
Uplifting and energetic, with a soaring main melody that feels both intimate and expansive. The arrangement breathes warmth and positivity, inviting string players to discover how rock's emotional directness translates beautifully when orchestrated for bows and strings.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 3-4 level looking to program contemporary rock music that excites students without compromising musical sophistication. Directors who want to build ensemble unity around repertoire that resonates with student musicians and audiences alike will find this especially rewarding.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the melody sing with a lyrical quality even at the brisk tempo; resist the urge to sound aggressive or purely rhythmic.
- Balance the tutti passages so upper strings don't overshadow the harmonic foundation in lower voices.
- Use the play-along recording in sectionals to lock in the groove and feel how your part sits within the full arrangement.
- Shape phrases through subtle dynamic swells rather than sudden changes; this piece benefits from a flowing, conversational style.
How to use it
This works well as a concert opener or closer that bridges classical and contemporary tastes, especially valuable during spring concerts or recordings aimed at younger audiences. Programming it alongside traditional string fare or lighter classical pieces shows the breadth of what a string orchestra can do.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing melody and harmony across an ensemble without conductor cueing
- Maintaining steady tempo in a rhythmically driven arrangement
- Coordinating bowing articulation across multiple string parts
- Interpreting contemporary musical language and phrasing