Notable Neighbors: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$40.00 USD

Notable Neighbors: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Notable Neighbors: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-35898
Price: 40.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Carol J. Johnson

Grade: 2

Item: 00-35898

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As soon as your young string players have learned their "low 2" finger patterns, they are ready for this catchy teaching tune. Written in the attention-grabbing key of A minor, this mystical piece reinforces the "neighborly" half-step relationship between E-F on the D string and B-C on the A string. Every section gets the melody, a winner with the kids, and you'll like how each section learns to play their half steps more in tune. A great supplement to your method book, and also a successful crowd-pleaser on your next concert!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Notable Neighbors: 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: Belwin Beginning String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 76

UPC: 038081407494

SKU: 00-35898

Instrumentation: strings w/ vln 3, pno acc

More about this title

About the Composer: Carol J. Johnson

Carol J. Johnson has built her reputation writing accessible, pedagogically sound pieces for beginning and intermediate string orchestras. Her work across the Belwin Beginning String Orchestra series demonstrates a clear understanding of what young players need to solidify their foundational skills while staying engaged and entertained.

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Why we love this

Johnson writes with young players' hands in mind, crafting pieces that feel rewarding to perform rather than like exercises. The decision to give every section the melody keeps all players engaged and invested, while the focused work on half-step intonation happens naturally through repetition and musical context rather than drills.

What to expect

Mysterious and engaging. The A minor setting gives the piece a darker, more introspective quality than typical beginning repertoire, and the catchy melody stays with you. There's something almost exotic about it, which makes players eager to come back and work on it.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the early intermediate level who have just solidified their low finger patterns and are ready to explore half-step relationships in a musical context. This is ideal for groups with mixed ability levels, since every string section shares the spotlight and can succeed at their own technical level.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody across sections as they rotate it. Mark which section carries the line in each phrase so players understand when to project and when to blend.
Work the E-F and B-C half steps separately in rehearsal before putting them into context. Have violins and violas isolate these intervals and listen carefully to each other's intonation.
Lean into the A minor tonality. The key itself creates the mystical character Johnson describes, so avoid playing it too brightly or with too much vibrato early on.
Let the piano accompaniment anchor the harmonic center. A solid, supportive accompanist helps younger players track pitch and feel the harmonic motion supporting their melodic work.

How to use it

Place this early on a winter or spring concert when you want to showcase growth in young players without overshadowing them with heavy classical repertoire. It pairs well with folk-song arrangements or other teaching pieces, and works especially effectively on a concert focused on contemporary educational composers.