Frostbite: Flexible String Ensemble Score & Parts

$60.00 USD

Frostbite: Flexible String Ensemble Score & Parts

Name: Frostbite: Flexible String Ensemble Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51746
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Erica Donahoe

Grade: 2.5

Item: 00-51746

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This title features Alfred Music's String Orchestra FLEX options. That means that every part in this set is now transposed into every other part, so you can play this title with any combination of like- or mixed-string ensemble. After purchasing this set, decide what additional parts you need to meet the unique needs of your ensemble, then download and print them for free at alfred.com/supplemental---free of charge.

Frostbite, by Erica Donahoe, captures the icy blasts and chilling wind of a winter storm. This piece uses driving rhythms and repeated sixteenth-note passages to amplify the intensity of the melody. The opening theme returns at the end of the piece in a fugue-like setting that is sure to challenge your students and bring the piece to an exciting finish! (2:05)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Frostbite: Flexible String Ensemble 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 String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

ISBN10: 1-4706-7387-8

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-7387-1

UPC: 038081596075

SKU: 00-51746

More about this title

Why we love this

Donahoe writes with genuine understanding of what intermediate string players can handle technically while still delivering musical payoff. The fugue-like finale transforms a fairly straightforward opening into something that demands real focus and preparation, making this an excellent choice for building musicianship without abandoning accessibility. The FLEX instrumentation system means you're not locked into specific string combinations, so whether you have eight players or twenty-five, you can make this work.

What to expect

Sharp and kinetic, like wind cutting through bare branches. Donahoe builds tension through relentless sixteenth-note motion and driving rhythms that capture the restless energy of a winter storm rather than its quietness. The fugal section at the close shifts the mood toward intellectual engagement, demanding the ensemble lock together in counterpoint.

Who it's for

Intermediate string orchestras and flexible ensembles with Grade 2.5 technical ability. Directors preparing for winter concerts or festivals will find this compact piece (2:05) works well in programming, and the FLEX system accommodates varying roster sizes without requiring separate purchases.

How to get the most out of it

Lock in the sixteenth-note rhythmic patterns early during sectional rehearsals. These passages drive the intensity throughout, so precision here pays off exponentially when the full ensemble plays together.
Shape the opening theme with dynamic clarity so when it returns as a fugal subject, the audience recognizes it immediately and feels the payoff of the formal return.
Balance the driving rhythm section with the melodic line. The repeated figures should propel without overwhelming the tune that sits on top.

How to use it

This works beautifully as a second or third piece in a winter concert, providing contrast to slower balladic work and showcasing your ensemble's rhythmic precision and control. The contest and festival designation also makes it a smart choice for adjudicated events where concise, well-crafted intermediate repertoire earns strong feedback.