Pirattitude: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Chris Thomas
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PK-0008785
$70.00
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Description
Embrace your inner pirate with this hearty shanty by Chris Thomas that captures the unmistakable swagger surrounding a seaworthy crew. Pirattitude features lighthearted and comical tunes that move into full-bodied "yo ho" pirate choruses as the music ebbs and flows through a bed of musical waves. Incredibly entertaining, fun to play, and full of adventure! (3:15)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Pirattitude: 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-0008785
More about this title
About the Composer: Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas composes for film, television, and concert settings, with credits including work for Sony, ABC, FOX, CBS, and HBO. His accolades include a Hollywood Music in Media Award, two American Prize finalist finishes, a Global Music Award, and the Gold Medal at the Park City Film Music Festival. His concert music has graced stages at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Hollywood Bowl, while his film and television scores have reached audiences worldwide through theme parks, streaming platforms, and Emmy-nominated productions.
Beyond the screen, Thomas has created immersive soundscapes for destination venues including Evermore Adventure Park, Knott's Berry Farm, and themed attractions across the globe. His orchestral work, including Symphony No. 1 (the Malheur Symphony), became the focus of his 2019 TED Talk, demonstrating his commitment to meaningful concert music. Learn more at www.christhomasmusic.com.
Why we love this
Pirattitude strikes the rare balance of being genuinely entertaining without sacrificing musical substance. The piece moves naturally between charming, quirky melodic moments and robust ensemble passages, giving every section of the orchestra meaningful material while keeping the energy buoyant and the laughs earned. Directors can program this with confidence that students will remember the joy of playing it long after the final "yo ho."
What to expect
Adventure and good humor roll through Pirattitude in waves. The music swaggers with the confidence of a seaworthy crew, built on a foundation of rollicking melodies and full-bodied choral moments that invite the audience into the fun. Between the lighter character passages and the hearty ensemble sections, the piece maintains an infectious, lighthearted spirit that makes you want to smile.
Who it's for
String orchestras in grades 3 and up looking for a concert piece that engages audiences and energizes rehearsals. This works equally well for festival performances, casual community concerts, or programs designed to showcase orchestral color and playfulness without overextending technical demands.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a clear character from the opening: the swagger and attitude here lives in the orchestration and rhythmic vitality, not in extreme tempo. Let the humor emerge through articulation and ensemble precision.
- Shape the "yo ho" choruses with dynamic contrast. These moments deserve full voice, but pull back in the lighter passages so the return feels genuinely expansive.
- Attend to rhythmic clarity in the parts that accompany the melodic material. When the texture thickens with ostinatos and countermelodies, balance and subdivision become essential to keeping the swagger intact.
How to use it
Pair this with other concert pieces to create variety in mood and energy. Its programmatic clarity and accessible charm make it ideal for mid-concert moments when you want to shift the tone and bring the audience along on the adventure. This also serves festivals and competitions well, where its engaging character and strong orchestral writing command attention without demanding the ensemble's full technical arsenal.
Skills your students will build
- Ensemble rhythm coordination across articulation styles (legato to staccato transitions)
- Dynamic contrast and shaping within programmatic contexts
- Rhythmic precision in supporting roles and ostinato passages
- Collaborative balance when multiple melodic lines occur simultaneously