Hoedown at the Holidays: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$49.00 USD

Hoedown at the Holidays: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Hoedown at the Holidays: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-47458
Price: 49.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Featuring: Silent Night / Joy to the World

Traditional / arr. Chris M. Bernotas

Grade: 2.5

Item: 00-47458

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This piece will get you ready to saddle up for the Christmas rush. Two familiar tunes, "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World," are set with a fun, western flair. "Silent Night" features portamento as a special effect, bringing the cowboy swagger to your string orchestra. The excitement picks up with a faster tempo and upbeat rhythms for the hoedown treatment of "Joy to the World." Once your students play this one, they will want to sit by the fireplace and swap their favorite Christmas stories! (2:30) Correlates to Sound Innovations, Book 2, Level 2.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Hoedown at the Holidays: 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: Sound Innovations for String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 164

UPC: 038081544991

SKU: 00-47458

More about this title

About the Arranger: Chris M. Bernotas

Chris M. Bernotas directs instrumental publications for Alfred Music, where he shapes curriculum and repertoire for band and orchestra programs. With more than 25 years in music education, he combines classroom experience with compositional expertise, giving him insight into what teachers actually need and what students can genuinely accomplish.

Beyond his work at Alfred, Bernotas maintains an active presence as a guest conductor and clinician, leading honor groups and workshops across the country. He has co-authored numerous resources including the Sound Innovations series, Sound Percussion, Sound Artistry, and Sound Performance. His arrangements and compositions balance accessibility with musical substance, ensuring that young ensembles encounter repertoire worthy of their effort.

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Why we love this

Bernotas takes two beloved carols and reimagines them with genuine western character rather than superficial holiday decoration. The portamento effect in "Silent Night" and the rhythmic drive of the hoedown setting create distinct musical moods that will hold your students' attention during an otherwise predictable season of Christmas programming.

What to expect

Nostalgic and playful. "Silent Night" moves with swagger, evoking a quiet moment by a campfire, while "Joy to the World" kicks into high gear with the kind of infectious energy that makes audiences smile. The piece captures that rare holiday moment when reverence gives way to celebration.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the early intermediate level who want holiday repertoire with personality. This arrangement works for ensembles that have solid bow control and can manage basic articulation, but don't yet require complex layering or extended techniques.

How to get the most out of it

Address the portamento markings in "Silent Night" during sectional rehearsals. Young string players often slide carelessly; work toward a smooth, controlled pitch transition that suggests cowboy character without sounding sloppy.
Balance the tempo shift between the two movements carefully. The faster hoedown section should feel like genuine acceleration, not a jarring tempo change. Use rehearsal markings to nail the transition cleanly.
Let your rhythm section anchor the rhythmic excitement in "Joy to the World." Engage your cellos and basses in establishing the downbeat energy that drives the hoedown feel throughout the finale.

How to use it

Slot this into your December concert as a palette cleanser between more serious works. The 2:30 duration fits easily into a typical program without overwhelming your rehearsal calendar, and the western theme provides welcome visual and musical variety during the holiday rush.