Moshpit Sabbath!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Chris Thomas
Grade: 4.5
Item: 00-PK-0008792
$80.00
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Description
Moshpit Sabbath! is the ultimate face-melting, string-breaking smash-fest, forever proving that strings rock! Inspired by the great metal bands of the '80s and '90s, Chris Thomas has written a piece for strings and drums that features shredding riffs, epic chugs, metal licks, whammy bar wails, screaming glissandi, and wild electric guitar duets---all for string orchestra! Optional electric violin soloists add even more intensity, though they can easily be amplified on acoustic instruments at a microphone if needed! Feature an awesome drummer or use the incredible pre-recorded track to bring the piece to life. Unlike anything out there, this is the closer of all closers! (4:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Moshpit Sabbath!: 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 Symphony Strings
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PK-0008792
More about this title
About the Composer: Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas writes music across film, television, theme parks, and concert halls. His accolades include a Hollywood Music in Media Award, two American Prize placements in composition, a Global Music Award, and the Gold Medal at Park City Film Music Festival. He has composed for Emmy-nominated films and served as composer, orchestrator, and conductor for major studios including Sony, ABC, FOX, CBS, and HBO. His concert works have premiered at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Hollywood Bowl, and his Symphony No. 1 (the Malheur Symphony) was the subject of his 2019 TED Talk.
Thomas's versatility extends to immersive experiences across the globe. He has created music for Evermore Adventure Park, Knott's Berry Farm, The Void, Dreamland Theme Park in the UK, and numerous other attractions. His portfolio demonstrates a rare command of both intimate chamber writing and large-scale orchestral sound, from concert repertoire to interactive environments.
Why we love this
This piece captures the raw energy and technical prowess of metal music while respecting what strings can actually do. Thomas refuses to apologize for the genre or soften the aesthetics; instead, he leans into screaming glissandi, crushing chugs, and the kind of rhythmic intensity that makes audiences lean forward in their seats. For conductors programming an exciting closer, this delivers genuine impact without sacrificing musicianship.
What to expect
Moshpit Sabbath! channels the swagger and technical firepower of '80s and '90s metal into string textures that scream, crunch, and wail. Glissandi soar like guitar bends, rhythmic unisons drive forward with mechanical intensity, and optional electric violin duets add an extra layer of aggression. This is string writing that refuses to whisper.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the advanced high school or early college level, particularly ensembles with strong rhythmic precision and players willing to embrace contemporary genre language. Directors seeking a piece that challenges stereotypes about what string music can be and energizes audiences through genuine musical conviction rather than gimmick.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a strong relationship with your drummer or commit fully to the pre-recorded accompaniment track from the first rehearsal so the string section locks into the groove rather than fighting it.
- Push the electric violin soloists (if used) to embrace aggressive articulation and dynamic contrast; these parts demand conviction, not restraint.
- Balance the volume of rapid string figures against the overall texture so that shredding passages cut through rather than blur together.
- Encourage your ensemble to internalize the metal aesthetic as a legitimate expressive choice, not a novelty; precision and intensity go hand in hand here.
How to use it
Program this as your concert finale to send audiences out on an adrenaline rush, or use it as the dramatic centerpiece of a concert exploring how strings engage with contemporary genres. It pairs well with more traditional repertoire earlier in the program, creating a arc that expands what the ensemble is capable of expressing.
Skills your students will build
- Precise rhythmic synchronization with percussion and recorded accompaniment
- Dynamic control within aggressive articulation styles
- Executing rapid glissandi with accuracy and impact
- Reading and performing contemporary extended techniques for strings
- Stylistic flexibility and confidence in non-traditional ensemble contexts