Reel Time: String Orchestra Conductor Score

$8.00 USD

Reel Time: String Orchestra Conductor Score

Name: Reel Time: String Orchestra Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-46706S
Price: 8.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Featuring "Middletown Reel" and "Orange County Reel"

By Bob Phillips

Grade: 1.5

Item: 00-46706S

$8.00

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Perfectly scored for young players in the keys of G and A Dorian, this fun and energetic piece, "Reel Time" by Bob Phillips, is comprised of two original fiddle tunes. "Middletown Reel" is an old-time style reel while "Orange County Reel" has an Irish flavor. The melodic content is passed throughout all sections, and the piece culminates in a bravura ending that will make for a great concert closer.

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Series: Sound Innovations for String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081537023

SKU: 00-46706S

More about this title

About the Composer: Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips is a prolific composer and string pedagogue whose career has centered on expanding the musical vocabulary available to young orchestras. Since 1953, he has published over 200 works for orchestral and band settings, authoring 25+ instructional series including Sound Innovations, Fiddlers Philharmonic, Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, and multiple world music collections. His compositions are performed annually by thousands of student musicians across North America.

Phillips spent 27 years building the Saline, Michigan string program into a nationally recognized model, balancing classical training with exploration of folk, jazz, and world music styles. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, an ensemble that performed over 80 shows annually and appeared at the White House and Midwest Clinic. As a guest conductor, he has led all-state orchestras, youth symphonies, and honors ensembles across multiple states and international programs, including 12 years as resident conductor and arranger for the Wintergrass Festival. An award-winning ASCAP composer, Phillips has also served as assistant music director and arranger for the professional ensemble Barrage 8.

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Why we love this

This piece demonstrates why Phillips remains one of string education's most inventive voices: he takes authentic fiddle repertoire and scores it accessibly without sacrificing any of its rhythmic swagger or melodic charm. The strategic distribution of themes across all sections keeps every player engaged, and that energetic finish gives young orchestras a genuine crowd-pleaser that ends the concert on a high note.

What to expect

Fiddle-inspired energy bounces through the ensemble as two contrasting reels unfold. The opening settles into an old-time groove before shifting into an Irish-inflected melody that dances across the strings, building momentum toward a bright, spirited finish that leaves audiences smiling.

Who it's for

Young string orchestras at the 1.5 grade level who are ready to tackle style and character beyond basic technique. Students in this range can handle the keys of G and A Dorian and benefit from learning how folk idioms translate to written scores.

How to get the most out of it

Lock the rhythm section (cellos and basses) on the fundamental pulse of the reel; their steady foundation makes the melodic ornamentation breathe naturally rather than rush.
Emphasize the stylistic contrast between the two reels: "Middletown Reel" benefits from a grounded, old-time feel, while "Orange County Reel" asks for a lighter, more lilting Irish character.
Bring out the bravura ending with controlled confidence; young orchestras often play closing passages tentatively, but this section is written to sound triumphant.
Keep the internal pulse infectious without letting tempo drift; reels thrive on steady forward motion and clarity in the ensemble's articulation.

How to use it

Program this as a concert closer on a classical or family concert; the infectious rhythm and crowd-friendly style create an ideal final impression. It also works well as a palate cleanser between heavier or more serious works, or as part of a thematic concert exploring American and Celtic musical traditions.