Hopak Dance: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$42.00 USD

Hopak Dance: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Hopak Dance: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-26565
Price: 42.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Traditional Ukrainian Folk Song / arr. Andrew H. Dabczynski

Grade: 1.5

Item: 00-26565

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An energetic piece that both beginning and more advanced string players will want to play over and over, faster and faster! Based on a Ukrainian dance melody, all sections alternate leading during this arrangement. The surprising appearance of a contrasting slower section played by the lower strings will conjure delightful images of brightly costumed dancers. Correlates with String Explorer Book 1, Unit 13. 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, Hopak Dance: 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 Explorer

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 72

UPC: 038081300474

SKU: 00-26565

More about this title

About the Arranger: Andrew H. Dabczynski

Andrew H. Dabczynski has spent his career advancing string education through both teaching and composition. He founded the BYU "New Horizons Orchestra" at Brigham Young University, where he served as Emeritus Professor of Music Education and developed a training laboratory for string teachers. His work there earned him BYU's Joseph E. White Fellowship for Teaching and Learning, and in 2005 Utah ASTA named him their "Higher Education Teacher of the Year."

Dabczynski's academic preparation includes a B.M. in applied viola performance from the Eastman School of Music and advanced degrees from the University of Connecticut and University of Michigan. He has performed viola with orchestras across the country and served as a member of the Colden String Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at Western Michigan University. His deep investment in string pedagogy led him to co-author the String Explorer method series with Alfred. A longstanding interest in folk music and ethnomusicology informs much of his arranging work, particularly his focus on traditional melodies and fiddling traditions.

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Why we love this

This arrangement captures the infectious energy of Ukrainian folk dance while remaining genuinely playable at Grade 1.5. The rotating leadership among string sections keeps younger players engaged and invested, and that unexpected slower middle section gives orchestras a chance to shift gears musically and show what their lower strings can do.

What to expect

Bright, propulsive energy drives the outer sections, with rhythmic momentum that makes you want to move. The sudden arrival of the slower middle passage, carried by the lower strings, brings a moment of warmth and reflection before the dance spirit returns with renewed vigor.

Who it's for

Beginning string orchestras and intermediate ensembles seeking repertoire that is both musically satisfying and accessible will find this a natural fit. The Grade 1.5 level makes it appropriate for groups still building fundamental skills, while the folk melody and dance character appeal to players at any stage of development.

How to get the most out of it

Build tempo gradually over repeated playings rather than jumping to a fast final version in rehearsal. The piece gains its greatest charm when the acceleration feels inevitable rather than forced.
Shape the contrasting slower section with attention to tone quality in the lower strings. This moment works best when it sounds warm and deliberate, creating genuine contrast before the return to spirited tempo.
Highlight the alternating leadership between sections by encouraging each group to own their moments with confident sound. Clear entrances from each section will make the sectional trading apparent to listeners.
Coordinate the ensemble's articulation carefully during the fast passages to maintain rhythmic clarity. Consistent bow stroke choices across the section prevent muddiness as tempo increases.

How to use it

This piece works beautifully as a concert opener, drawing immediate attention with its accessibility and joy. It also stands out in festival settings where judges appreciate well-crafted arrangements that serve pedagogical growth without sacrificing musical substance.