Hopak!: Score
By William Owens
Grade: 2.5
Item: 98-DST6361S
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Description
Inspired by Ukrainian folk melodies, this highly spirited work is captivating in every way! As the fiery opening statement is unleashed, students project pure excitement to the very end. Optional percussion parts are very accessible and will vastly enhance your performance. An excellent way to top off any concert program!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Hopak!: 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:
FJH Developing Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DST6361S
More about this title
About the Composer: William Owens
William Owens brings three decades of classroom experience to his compositions for young musicians. A native of Gary, Indiana, and 1985 graduate of VanderCook College of Music, he has established himself as a prolific composer with over 300 published works spanning concert band, string orchestra, and small ensemble literature. His writing is grounded in practical pedagogy and has earned recognition through numerous commissions, awards, and inclusion on required music lists across North America.
Owens served as a band director in Texas for 30 years before formally retiring in 2014, a background that deeply informs his compositional approach. He holds memberships in ASCAP, TMEA, and Phi Beta Mu International, and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by VanderCook. His works have been analyzed in educational texts and remain fixtures of the young ensemble repertoire. He resides in Fort Worth, Texas.
Why we love this
Owens captures the raw energy of Ukrainian folk tradition without sacrificing musical substance. The opening gesture grabs your orchestra immediately, then sustains momentum through accessible yet engaging writing that lets every section shine. Optional percussion parts elevate the work without demanding expertise, making this an ideal closer that feels both impressive and achievable.
What to expect
Pure kinetic energy channeled through folk melody. The fiery opening announces celebration, and the spirited character sustains throughout, giving players a chance to channel genuine excitement rather than simply execute notes. Your orchestra will feel the propulsive joy of Ukrainian dance rhythms.
Who it's for
String orchestra directors seeking a crowd-pleasing closer with multicultural substance. This Grade 2.5 work welcomes ensembles still building technical foundations while delivering the excitement and polish that audiences expect at concert's end.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the spirited tempo confidently from the downbeat. String orchestras respond to clear leadership, and this piece thrives on forward motion. Use the first rehearsal to lock the opening statement so it lands with authority.
- Balance transparency with fullness as folk melodies move through different string sections. The simplicity of the melodic material means intonation and part independence become immediately audible. Consider rehearsing individual sections before full ensemble runs.
- Engage your percussionists early, even though their parts are optional. The accessible nature of these additions means even younger players can enhance the finale without requiring extensive preparation.
How to use it
Reserve this for your concert finale where impact matters most. The accessible grade level and high energy make it perfect for spring pops concerts, end-of-year celebrations, or festival programming where you want to send the audience home with unbridled enthusiasm. The optional percussion parts also invite creative concert staging if you wish to highlight student soloists or younger players.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing folk-inspired melodic figures across multiple string parts
- Maintaining rhythmic vitality in spirited tempos
- Part independence and balance when melodies migrate between sections
- Intonation precision with simple, exposed melodic writing
- Responding to Ukrainian folk rhythm patterns and articulation style