On Edge: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Susan Day
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK01724451
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| On Edge - Full Score | $8.00 | |
| On Edge - Violin 1 | $2.50 | |
| On Edge - Violin 2 | $2.50 | |
| On Edge - Viola | $2.50 | |
| On Edge - Cello | $2.50 | |
| On Edge - Bass | $2.50 | |
| On Edge - Piano | $2.50 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
On Edge refers to a feeling of nervousness and suspense, and is the opposite of calm and relaxed. This piece conveys the feeling of urgency and anticipation through rapid 8th note passages in all parts and the sound of the minor key. Written in the keys of D minor and E minor, there are 2 main themes intertwined throughout the parts, with portions of them played simultaneously at measure 33. A multitude of teaching skills for reinforcement include 2 note slurs, the note Bb, dotted quarter rhythms, hooked bowings, arpeggios, steady 8th notes, bow placement and distribution, note doubling, and knowing who has the melody! This is a great teaching piece and fun for the player and audience!
On Edge: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01724451
More about this title
Why we love this
Susan Day writes with clear pedagogical intent and genuine musicality. This piece manages to teach a serious roster of technical skills while keeping the energy high and the musical experience rewarding. Directors appreciate repertoire that challenges students without feeling like an etude masquerading as art.
What to expect
Restless energy courses through the piece. The rapid eighth notes and minor keys create genuine tension, while the interweaving themes build a sense of forward momentum. It feels like something is about to happen, keeping both players and listeners engaged.
Who it's for
Grade 2 string orchestras ready to layer multiple teaching objectives into a single rehearsal unit. This works especially well for groups that have just solidified their basic reading skills and can handle modest rhythmic complexity without cognitive overload.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a steady eighth note pulse in rehearsal before tackling the rapid passages. Many players will rush when anxious, so locking the rhythmic foundation early prevents cascading timing issues.
- Clarify who carries the melody at each section, especially at measure 33 where the two main themes appear simultaneously. Have non-melodic parts play through at a light dynamic first so everyone hears how their lines support the primary voice.
- Work bow distribution and placement as separate conversations. Some students will discover they're sacrificing tone quality by cramming too many notes into an inefficient bow path. Record a section and play it back to build their awareness.
How to use it
Use this as a concert opener to establish dramatic tone, or slot it into the middle of a program where you need an energy shift. The piece's moderate length and accessible difficulty make it ideal for a winter or spring concert where you're balancing serious repertoire with works that showcase student growth.
Skills your students will build
- Reading D minor and E minor tonalities
- Executing rapid steady eighth note passages with rhythmic precision
- Playing two-note slurs with clean articulation
- Intonating the note Bb across ensemble parts
- Managing dotted quarter rhythm patterns
- Executing hooked bowings
- Playing arpeggios with correct finger placement
- Coordinating bow distribution across phrase lengths
- Doubling notes cleanly with section partners
- Identifying and following melodic lines within dense textures