Hoedown at the Holidays: Score
Featuring: Silent Night / Joy to the World
Traditional / arr. Chris M. Bernotas
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PR-0006192
$8.00
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Description
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: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Sound Innovations for String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
164
SKU:
00-PR-0006192
More about this title
About the Arranger: Chris Bernotas
Chris Bernotas has established himself as a prolific arranger for young string orchestras, consistently finding ways to make standard repertoire engaging and accessible for developing musicians. His arrangements balance technical clarity with genuine musical interest, allowing students to experience stylistic variety without being overwhelmed by notation or complex ensemble demands.
Why we love this
The western treatment transforms two beloved carols into something students actually want to play again and again. Portamento in the first tune and the rhythmic drive of the second create memorable sonic contrasts that feel fresh while keeping the harmonic foundation familiar enough for Grade 2.5 readers.
What to expect
Picture a saloon door swinging open during a snowy Christmas morning. 'Silent Night' arrives with a lazy cowboy drawl courtesy of that portamento, then 'Joy to the World' kicks in with barn-dance energy and drive. The piece manages to be festive without losing its tongue firmly planted in cheek.
Who it's for
String orchestra directors teaching at the Grade 2 to 2.5 level who want holiday repertoire with personality and teachable moments. Students who have worked through fundamental bow control and basic shift reading will find this piece both comfortable and rewarding.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the portamento effect in 'Silent Night' as a stylistic choice, not a slide accident. Have violins and violas practice the gesture slowly first, then gradually increase tempo to match the cowboys-riding-into-town character.
- Lock the rhythmic precision in the 'Joy to the World' section by having the cello and bass lines anchor the pulse while upper strings maintain the faster note values. A click or steady foot tap during early rehearsals helps.
- Balance the string choir so the melody remains clear even when multiple voices carry thematic material. In Grade 2.5 orchestras, this often means slightly reducing the volume of inner voices during tutti sections.
How to use it
Schedule this for a December concert as an opener or closer. Its 2:30 length and lighthearted tone give you breathing room between heavier holiday fare, and the western theme provides natural programming contrast to traditional Christmas music.
Skills your students will build
- Portamento as an expressive device (not just a technical flaw)
- Maintaining rhythmic precision during tempo changes
- Balancing inner voices against primary melodic lines
- Reading two distinct musical styles within a single piece
- Ensemble blend across multiple articulation styles