Fancy Fiddles: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$48.00 USD

Fancy Fiddles: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Fancy Fiddles: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-5692
Price: 48.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Mark Williams

Grade: 1

Item: 00-5692

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This skillful arrangement is based on an American square dance tune: 'Come Dance, Josey.' Mark Williams has simplified the rhythms but preserved the vitality and energy of a good old-fashioned square dance. The harmonic color (D major throughout) and balanced scoring makes this piece as fun and interesting to play as it is to hear. Your elementary level group can sound great on this one. (1:50) 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, Fancy 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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Series: Highland/Etling String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 72

ISBN10: 1-4706-6478-X

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-6478-7

UPC: 038081018065

SKU: 00-5692

More about this title

About the Composer: Mark Williams

Mark Williams built a career defining what elementary and school ensemble music could be. With over 200 published works and a co-authorship on the Accent on Achievement Band Method, he shaped the repertoire that generations of young musicians first encounter. His background was grounded in practical teaching: he spent years in Washington state classrooms, focusing on elementary band instruction, and held degrees in music education from Eastern Washington University.

Williams' influence extended far beyond his home region. As a clinician and guest conductor, he traveled to 34 states, five Canadian provinces, and Australia, bringing his pedagogical approach directly to programs everywhere. A skilled arranger and bassoon performer, he also served as Conductor and Artistic Director for the Spokane British Brass Band. His compositions earned recognition including the Western International Band Clinic's Gralia Competition and multiple ASCAP Special Awards, testament to his standing among both educators and the publishing world.

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Why we love this

This arrangement proves that simplicity and energy are not opposites. Williams strips away unnecessary rhythmic complexity while keeping the dance's infectious forward momentum alive, letting your first-year orchestras sound polished without drowning in technical demands. The D major tonality and balanced scoring mean every section gets something rewarding to play, which matters enormously when you're building ensemble confidence at the elementary level.

What to expect

Genuine and unpretentious. The square dance roots shine through in the melody's natural shape and rhythmic honesty, giving students a connection to American folk traditions while they're learning fundamentals. There's real joy in this arrangement, the kind that comes from a tune designed for dancing and celebration.

Who it's for

Elementary string orchestras ready to play something that feels like a real piece, not a study. Grade 1 ensembles tackling their first season will find a work that builds confidence and genuine musicality without requiring virtuosity.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the bow movement light and bouncy through the main sections to capture the square dance character; younger players often press too hard and lose the buoyant feel.
Lock the rhythmic drive with your first violins and violas; they carry the melody's lift, and the second violins and cello parts rely on their pulse to stay cohesive.
Balance the harmonic color by bringing out the D major open strings in the lower voices. These natural resonances are part of what makes the arrangement sit so well together.

How to use it

Program this early in your concert to establish energy and accessibility, especially if you're building an audience that includes families new to orchestral music. It works beautifully as an opener or as the bridge between a more formal opening piece and your season's other selections.