Masquerade: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Doug Spata
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PK-0007106
$46.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Masquerade: Score | $9.00 | |
| Masquerade: 1st Violin | $5.99 | |
| Masquerade: 2nd Violin | $5.99 | |
| Masquerade: Viola | $5.99 | |
| Masquerade: Cello | $5.99 | |
| Masquerade: String Bass | $5.99 |
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Description
Students will love the creepy melodies, the dazzling special effects, and the spine-tingling style of such a colorful and expressive selection. This spooky, whirling waltz by Doug Spata is full of approachable chromatic notes, dramatic dynamic changes, simple rhythms, and creepy tremolo bowing---always a favorite effect! A fantastic way to reinforce low 1st finger B-flats, C-naturals, and C-sharps, plus the notes of the G string---all while having fun! (2:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Masquerade: 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:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
62
SKU:
00-PK-0007106
More about this title
About the Composer: Doug Spata
Doug Spata came to composition through his work as an orchestra director, developing a deep understanding of what engages student musicians. Though originally trained as a clarinetist, his career has focused on writing for strings, creating works that balance artistic integrity with pedagogical clarity. His compositions have earned recognition across the country and internationally, performed by student and professional ensembles alike.
Beyond his contributions to string orchestra literature, Spata has composed across ambitious forms: operas, ballets, symphonies, and chamber works for ensembles of varying sizes. His voice emerges from practical knowledge of what works in rehearsals and what resonates with young performers.
Why we love this
Spata captures that rare combination of genuine creepiness and genuine fun, never condescending to the ensemble or the moment. The piece uses straightforward rhythms and accessible chromatic writing to build atmosphere rather than technical complexity, freeing students to invest in expression and special effects. Halloween programming suddenly feels less like filler and more like an artistic choice.
What to expect
A whirling waltz that leans into minor-key spookiness without losing sight of joy. The creepy melodies dance just off-balance, supported by tremolo shadows and sudden dynamic swells that keep listeners off-guard. It feels like watching a masquerade ball where the masks shift when you're not looking.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 2 level, particularly ensembles with mixed experience and confidence. Directors seeking fall or Halloween concert material that entertains audiences while building legitimate intonation and shifting skills will find this especially useful.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the tremolo passages with dynamic intention rather than as pure texture; let the vibratos breathe and build toward the whirling climaxes.
- Lock the low 1st finger pitches (B-flats, C-naturals, C-sharps) in sectionals before full rehearsal, since these sit in the uncomfortable transition zone where precision matters most.
- Experiment with the balance between violins and lower strings during the opening melody—adjust for your hall and the effect you want, whether eerie or soaring.
- Use the recorded accompaniment (if available) during early rehearsals to establish the waltz pulse before asking students to internalize the conductor's beat.
How to use it
Program this as the centerpiece of an October or early November concert, either anchoring a Halloween-themed set or standing alone as a character piece that breaks up a traditional classical program. Its 2:10 duration makes it ideal for positioning between longer works or leading into an encore.
Skills your students will build
- Intonation of low 1st finger B-flats, C-naturals, and C-sharps
- G string navigation and comfort
- Tremolo bowing technique with musical expression
- Reading and executing dynamic contrasts
- Phrasing and melodic shaping in a minor key