October: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Eric Whitacre
Item: 35-PK01105990
$150.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| October - Full Score | $30.00 | |
| October - Flute 1 | $10.00 | |
| October - Flute 2 | $10.00 | |
| October - Oboe 1 | $10.00 | |
| October - Oboe 2 | $10.00 | |
| October - Bb Clarinet 1 | $10.00 | |
| October - Bb Clarinet 2 | $10.00 | |
| October - Bassoon 1 | $10.00 | |
| October - Bassoon 2 | $10.00 | |
| October - F Horn 1 | $10.00 | |
| October - F Horn 2 | $10.00 | |
| October - F Horn 3 | $10.00 | |
| October - F Horn 4 | $10.00 | |
| October - C Trumpet 1 | $10.00 | |
| October - C Trumpet 2 | $10.00 | |
| October - C Trumpet 3 | $10.00 | |
| October - Trombone 1 | $10.00 | |
| October - Trombone 2 | $10.00 | |
| October - Trombone 3 | $10.00 | |
| October - Tuba | $10.00 | |
| October - Timpani | $10.00 | |
| October - Percussion | $10.00 | |
| October - Violin I | $10.00 | |
| October - Violin II | $10.00 | |
| October - Viola | $10.00 | |
| October - Cello | $10.00 | |
| October - Contrabass | $10.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
The continuing popularity of Eric Whitacre's dramatic and evocative music is evident in concert programming everywhere, with his symphonic, choral, and operatic works. October is arguably his most notable symphonic work, now adapted in this stunning version for full orchestra.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01105990
More about this title
About the Composer: Eric Whitacre
Eric Whitacre stands as one of the most performed living composers, known for writing music that communicates directly to both performers and audiences. His orchestral and choral works have become staples of concert programming, shaped by his deep understanding of instrumental color, harmonic language, and the human voice.
Whitacre's compositional approach combines accessible melodic writing with sophisticated harmonic textures, making his work engaging for student ensembles while maintaining artistic depth. His influence on contemporary concert music has made him essential to any conductor's working knowledge of 21st-century repertoire.
Why we love this
Whitacre's orchestration in October creates an emotional arc that holds audiences throughout, and this string orchestra adaptation preserves the work's dramatic power while remaining achievable for advanced ensembles. The adaptation respects the original's structural ambitions without requiring the full orchestral forces, making it practical for concert programming that still feels artistically substantial.
What to expect
October unfolds as a deeply introspective journey that shifts between moments of lush harmonic beauty and turbulent intensity. The string sound builds emotional weight through sustained textures and carefully controlled crescendos, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and grand.
Who it's for
Conductors of advanced string orchestras and full orchestras seeking a contemporary work with genuine emotional resonance and concert appeal. This adaptation serves programs looking to program Whitacre without requiring the full orchestral apparatus.
How to get the most out of it
- Pay careful attention to the balance between sustained harmonic layers and melodic foreground. The piece thrives when the string sections can maintain rich, resonant textures underneath the primary musical ideas.
- Bring clarity to the transitions between emotional states. Whitacre's dramatic shifts work best when they arrive with precision rather than gradual blending.
- Shape longer phrases with intentional rubato and breathing points. The music's effectiveness depends on singers and listeners receiving moments of musical repose alongside the more intense passages.
How to use it
October works as a centerpiece to a concert exploring contemporary American orchestral writing, or as the anchor to a program mixing classical and 21st-century concert music. Consider programming it alongside similarly introspective works, or use it to open a second half and reset the emotional tone of an evening.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long-line melodic phrasing across multiple bars
- Responding to subtle harmonic shifts and color changes in contemporary idiom
- Balancing transparency and density in multi-layered string textures
- Interpreting performance direction in minimalist and contemporary notation contexts
- Ensemble cohesion in emotionally driven, non-traditional formal structures