Legend of the Dragon Chasers: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Chris Thomas
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PK-0008712
$60.00
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Description
Journey to a land of elven magic, windswept plains, and mystical forests in Legend of the Dragon Chasers by Chris Thomas. The music takes your audience on a fantastical journey, exploring a variety of musical textures and landscapes. Broad, cinematic melodies shift between driving, adventurous rhythms and romantic, legato passages that weave an exciting tale. (3:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Legend of the Dragon Chasers: 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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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic Intermediate Strings
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PK-0008712
More about this title
About the Composer: Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas brings the sensibility of a film and television composer to the concert hall. His accolades include a Hollywood Music in Media Award, two second-place finishes at the American Prize in Composition, a Global Music Award, and the Gold Medal Prize at the Park City Film Music Festival. His orchestrations have supported Emmy-nominated films and work shortlisted for Academy Award consideration, and he has composed, orchestrated, and conducted for major studios including Sony, ABC, FOX, CBS, and HBO.
Beyond film and television, Thomas's music inhabits themed environments worldwide, from Evermore Adventure Park and Knott's Berry Farm to the UK's Dreamland Theme Park. His concert works have graced stages at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Hollywood Bowl. His Malheur Symphony, the subject of his 2019 TED Talk, exemplifies his gift for large-scale narrative storytelling through instrumental music.
Why we love this
Thomas writes music that sounds and conducts beautifully at Grade 2, a rare skill. The orchestration shifts fluidly between full ensemble moments and intimate sectional textures, giving every player something memorable to perform while keeping the technical demands appropriate for developing orchestras. The programmatic arc unfolds with enough cinematic sweep to captivate an audience without requiring advanced technique from your strings.
What to expect
The music evokes a sweeping fantasy landscape where intimate moments of wonder alternate with surges of heroic adventure. Lush string textures paint misty forests and wind-swept vistas while driving rhythmic passages propel the narrative forward with urgency and excitement.
Who it's for
This score works for developing string orchestras at the Grade 2 level who are ready to tackle repertoire with genuine musical substance and orchestral color. It suits programs looking for contest or festival material that plays to their ensemble's strengths without exposing technical gaps.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening to establish the magical atmosphere clearly; let the melody sing above the accompaniment figures without drowning them out.
- Shape the rhythmic, adventurous sections with rhythmic precision and lift; these moments need forward momentum but not rushing.
- Lean into the legato passages with sustained tone and consistent vibrato to contrast with the more energetic material.
- Use the conductor score to identify where individual sections carry the narrative thread so you can highlight those moments in rehearsal and performance.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a concert themed around fantasy or adventure, where its cinematic quality will resonate with audiences. It also serves as strong festival or contest selection that demonstrates your orchestra's musicality and range without technical overreach.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing melody and accompaniment across the ensemble
- Sustaining tone quality through legato passages and transitions
- Maintaining rhythmic integrity during driving, syncopated figures
- Reading and executing varied orchestral textures and dynamic shapes
- Responding to programmatic intent through expressive playing