Irish Whistle: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$48.00 USD

Irish Whistle: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Irish Whistle: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-33729
Price: 48.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Variations on "The Star of the County Down"

Traditional / arr. Bob Phillips

Grade: 2

Item: 00-33729

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Such a fun, cool song transformed into a sure-fire winner for any concert setting. These lovely variations begin with a lush air in 3/4, which flows into a 6/8 jig featuring players whistling over top the varied pizzicato accompaniments. A 16th note flurry in 4/4 then speeds to the end in a burst of energy! 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, Irish Whistle: 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 Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 124

UPC: 038081380919

SKU: 00-33729

More about this title

About the Arranger: Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips (b. 1953) has shaped string education through decades of innovative arrangement and composition. A conductor, pedagogue, and prolific educational author, he created over 25 classroom series and more than 200 published works for orchestras and bands. His eclectic styles publications (Fiddlers Philharmonic, Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, Mariachi Philharmonic, Latin Philharmonic, and Fiddle and Song) revolutionized how string students engage with music beyond classical literature. An ASCAP award-winning composer, his work appears regularly at the Midwest Clinic and is performed by thousands of string students annually.

Phillips spent 27 years building the Saline, Michigan string program into a nationally recognized model serving over 700 students across classical and eclectic genres. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, an ensemble that performed internationally and at the White House, and conducted for numerous all-state orchestras, youth symphonies, and summer programs including Interlochen and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. His instructional DVDs, String Clinics to Go, have supported music teachers across the country.

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Why we love this

Phillips captures the joy and infectious energy of Irish music while honoring string players at an accessible level. The shifting meters and textures (lush 3/4 air, rhythmic 6/8 jig, driving 4/4 finale) keep students engaged without overwhelming them, and the whistling parts add novelty appeal that makes rehearsals genuinely fun.

What to expect

Bright, spirited, and full of character, this arrangement captures the folk tradition's warmth in its opening before pivoting to infectious rhythmic energy. The cascading figurework and sudden tempo shifts create a sense of spontaneity, as though the ensemble is having a genuine musical conversation.

Who it's for

String orchestras at Grade 2 level seeking a concert piece that combines musical substance with student engagement. Directors want music that challenges rhythm reading and ensemble listening without requiring advanced technique.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening air with long, singing bows and dynamic control; think of it as a vocal line even though instruments are playing pizzicato accompaniment.
In the 6/8 jig section, lock the pizzicato rhythm patterns with confidence before adding the whistled melody; tight ensemble rhythm here drives the entire passage.
Build momentum gradually through the 16th note flurry; mark a gradual tempo increase in your score and confirm it with the ensemble before the final burst.
Balance the whistled melody to cut through without forcing; it should sound effortless and playful, not strained against the string parts.

How to use it

Program this as a concert opener or closer when you want to establish an energetic tone and showcase the full ensemble's rhythmic clarity. It pairs well alongside other folk-inspired or multicultural repertoire and provides relief from heavier classical fare without sacrificing musical integrity.