Great Times A Comin': String Orchestra Conductor Score

$5.00 USD

Great Times A Comin': String Orchestra Conductor Score

Name: Great Times A Comin': String Orchestra Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-ST6291S
Price: 5.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By William Owens

Grade: 1.5

Item: 98-ST6291S

$5.00

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This lively original work embodies the character and spirit of the African-American spiritual. Combining themes of struggle, oppression, and hope for the future, the music begins quite vigorously before easing into a haunting middle section. Soon after, the music returns to its joyous nature, which is carried through to the spirited ending. Includes optional percussion.

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Series: FJH Beginning Strings

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 241444568750

SKU: 98-ST6291S

More about this title

About the Composer: William Owens

William Owens, born in Gary, Indiana in 1963, has built a remarkable career as a composer, clinician, and conductor working extensively across North America. A 1985 graduate of VanderCook College of Music, he brings three decades of classroom experience to his compositional work, having directed high school bands in Texas before his 2014 retirement.

Owens has composed over 300 works for concert band, string orchestra, and chamber ensembles since 1993, establishing himself as a trusted voice in music education. His pieces appear on state required music lists and are frequently analyzed in educational texts. He holds memberships in ASCAP, TMEA, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and has been honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of VanderCook College and recipient of the Texas Bandmasters Association's Meritorious Achievement Award.

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Why we love this

Owens captures the emotional arc of the African-American spiritual with remarkable clarity at Grade 1.5, giving young orchestras access to meaningful multicultural literature without sacrificing musical substance. The contrasting sections (vigorous opening, haunting middle, joyous return) offer authentic interpretive challenges that engage student musicians and audiences alike. Optional percussion parts extend flexibility for programs with varying instrumentation.

What to expect

The piece opens with unbridled optimism and rhythmic drive, then pulls inward into a vulnerable, introspective moment that feels both sorrowful and searching. When the joyful character returns, it carries a depth earned through that contrast, landing somewhere between celebration and resilience.

Who it's for

Beginning to early intermediate string orchestras (Grade 1.5) seeking authentic multicultural repertoire that goes beyond novelty arrangements. Directors programming concerts that honor African-American musical traditions or teaching students about spirituals through performance rather than lecture will find this work particularly valuable.

How to get the most out of it

Bring out the rhythmic vitality of the opening section through crisp articulation in the string section; young players often rush when excited, so anchor the tempo with clear conducting.
Shape the haunting middle section with sustained dynamic control and careful attention to intonation, particularly in sustained chords that might otherwise sound thin.
Balance the return to the joyous material so it feels earned after the reflective passage, using the full dynamic range to create genuine forward momentum into the ending.

How to use it

Use this as a concert centerpiece for a program exploring African-American musical traditions, pairing it with spirituals sung by your choir or with educational context about the genre's historical significance. Its manageable length and Grade 1.5 level make it ideal for early-season performances when ensembles are building fundamentals.