March of the Priests Cover Image

March of the Priests: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

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March of the Priests Cover Image

March of the Priests: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

From The Magic Flute

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / arr. Jerry Brubaker

Grade: 3

Item: 00-45847

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Description
The Magic Flute is perhaps one of Mozart's most well known operas. The beginning of the second act is a lovely processional march known as "March of the Priests." The scene depicts a solemn procession of priests as they enter the great cathedral. The piece has a very ethereal quality and is lush and beautiful when played by a string orchestra. Close your eyes and imagine yourself at the Met, fully engulfed in the beauty of Mozart's lovely opera. Jerry Brubaker's rich new setting of this beautiful, yet simple piece will give players and audiences much enjoyment every time it is played. This arrangement works well as a concert piece and could even be used as a processional for a wedding. Feel the magic! (2:45)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, March of the Priests: 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: Belwin Concert String Orchestra
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 62
UPC: 038081523453
SKU: 00-45847

More about this title

About the Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) stands as one of history's most prolific and influential composers, having written over 600 works across nearly every genre before his death at 35. Born in Salzburg, Austria, he demonstrated prodigious musical talent from childhood and spent his career composing symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and operas that remain central to the concert and educational repertoire. His operas, particularly The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni, showcase his gift for melody, harmonic sophistication, and dramatic storytelling.

For string orchestra players, Mozart's music offers clarity of line, balanced textures, and the challenge of sustaining long, singing phrases with grace and control. His Classical style demands precision and musicality in equal measure, making his arrangements ideal vehicles for developing ensemble cohesion and interpretive depth.

Why we love this

Brubaker's orchestration captures the ceremonial solemnity of Mozart's original without sacrificing the piece's ethereal elegance, making it equally convincing in concert hall and wedding chapel settings. Grade 3 players can tackle authentic Mozart without overextending technically, allowing them to focus on achieving the sustained, lyrical character this processional demands. The combination of dramatic potential and genuine musical substance makes this a repertoire choice that audiences and directors respect.

What to expect

Stepping into a grand cathedral as a procession unfolds. Strings shimmer with a ceremonial glow, creating an atmosphere of reverence and beauty that feels both stately and ethereal. The piece invites listeners to experience Mozart's gift for melody through a lens of quiet dignity and solemn grace.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the intermediate level (Grade 3) who want to perform a recognized masterwork with genuine musical substance. This score works equally well for concert programmers seeking accessible Classical repertoire and wedding musicians looking for something more sophisticated than typical processional fare.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the long melodic lines through subtle dynamic swells rather than abrupt changes; let the phrasing breathe naturally across measures.
  • Balance the inner voices carefully so the harmonic richness emerges without overpowering the primary melody.
  • Maintain a steady, deliberate tempo that allows the solemn processional character to register fully with the audience.
  • Mark your entries precisely with the conductor to ensure the ensemble moves together through the piece's structural moments.

How to use it

Open a concert with this processional to establish an elegant, formal tone, or place it as a centerpiece in a Classical-era showcase. Its modest length and moderate difficulty make it a reliable choice for festivals and competitions, while its ceremonial nature makes it ideal for special occasions and events beyond the concert stage.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining long melodic lines with consistent tone and phrasing
  • Balancing voice leading in Classical harmonic textures
  • Maintaining ensemble unity through slow, stately tempos
  • Interpreting dynamic nuance within a narrow expressive range
  • Reading and responding to conductor direction in processional contexts

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