Rejoice!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$55.00 USD

Rejoice!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Rejoice!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-50250235
Price: 55.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Michael Hopkins

Grade: 2

Item: 36-50250235

$55.00

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Rejoice! was composed by Michael Hopkins for the 10th anniversary of the Rockford, MI public schools orchestra program. The music is fast and celebratory with high energy throughout. This is a great piece for working on crisp articulations, off the string bow strokes, and contrasts between legato and staccato. The staccato eighth notes should be performed off the string. Quarter notes should be played with slight separation to give the music a dance-like celebratory character. (3:00)

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Series: LudwigMasters Developing Strings

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

UPC: 612735546502

SKU: 36-50250235

Instrumentation: String Orchestra

More about this title

About the Composer: Michael Hopkins

Michael Hopkins holds the position of Professor and Chair of Music Education at the University of Michigan, where he teaches string techniques, orchestra methods, research methods, and music psychology. His career spans decades as both an educator and conductor; he previously led the University of Vermont Symphony Orchestra and directed middle and high school orchestras across Colorado, Michigan, and Vermont. Hopkins founded the Burlington Chamber Orchestra and has appeared as a guest conductor at more than 100 orchestra festivals and clinics nationwide.

Beyond the podium, Hopkins has established himself as a scholar and prolific composer. He has delivered over 60 presentations at national and state music education conferences, focusing on string pedagogy and music technology. His published compositions and arrangements exceed 70 works for orchestra. His articles have appeared in the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education, American String Teacher, and the Music Educators' Journal. He authored The Art of String Teaching (GIA Publications), a resource widely used in teacher preparation programs, conducting studies, group string classes, and private instruction.

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Why we love this

This piece channels genuine celebratory energy without sacrificing pedagogical clarity. Hopkins crafts a work that demands precision in articulation and bow control (staccato off the string, legato separation) while maintaining the bright, forward momentum that keeps students engaged. It's an ideal festival entry that rewards careful rehearsal and gives young orchestras a piece they'll genuinely enjoy performing.

What to expect

Rejoice! radiates joy through constant forward motion and sharp articulation. The interplay between bright staccato figures and bouncing quarter notes creates a dance-like character that feels celebratory without becoming chaotic. From the first measure, this piece announces itself as a celebration.

Who it's for

String orchestra directors working with Grade 2 ensembles preparing for festival performances or concert programs. Students need secure fundamental bow control and the ability to execute both off-the-string and articulated passages with clarity, making this suitable for orchestras with at least one year of playing experience.

How to get the most out of it

Isolate the staccato eighth-note figures in separate rehearsals, emphasizing off-the-string bow strokes with consistent placement and rebound. Once the technique is secure, integrate these passages back into the full texture.
Shape the quarter-note passages with intentional separation rather than true legato; think of each note as a small dance step. This articulation choice is what transforms the piece from energetic into distinctly celebratory.
Maintain a steady pulse throughout the fast tempo without rushing. The high energy comes from rhythmic precision and crisp attacks, not acceleration.

How to use it

Program this as a festival submission that showcases your orchestra's technical growth and rhythmic precision. It also pairs well on a concert program where you want a high-energy closer or a piece that demonstrates your group's command of articulation and bow control. The three-minute duration makes it ideal for time-limited festival schedules.