Rock Philharmonic: Teacher's Score Book & CD

Rock Philharmonic strips away the false choice between "serious" string repertoire and music students actually want to play. The nine arrangements respect both the original recordings and the compositional integrity of string writing, letting your ensemble own songs from Jerry Lee Lewis to Green Day without resorting to novelty or compromise. The flexible voicing means you can program these whether you have a full orchestra, a lean quartet, or anything in between.

Driving, energetic, and surprisingly funky. These arrangements honor the swagger of classic rock while translating it into string textures that feel natural rather than imitated. There's a real satisfaction in locking into the groove of a familiar song played with ensemble precision.

String orchestras at the intermediate to advanced level, especially programs looking to broaden their concert repertoire and engage students in styles beyond classical standard. Mixed ensembles, quartets, and trios can all find workable voicings here, making this collection scalable to different program sizes.

• Reference the recorded tracks during early rehearsals to help students internalize the groove and phrasing before worrying about note accuracy. The original recordings are part of their cultural knowledge; lean into that familiarity.
• Use the TNT 2 software to isolate rhythm section parts and let your strings sit with just the drums and bass for a few rehearsals. This builds the rhythmic independence that rock arrangements demand.
• Encourage players to think of their voice as a functional instrument (melody, harmony, or bass) rather than switching between "violin parts" and "cello parts." Some of the strongest moments come when sections realize they're playing the hook that makes the song recognizable.
• The chord symbols appear throughout all parts. Even if you have students who don't read them yet, guitarists and pianists benefit enormously from seeing the harmonic structure, and it opens conversation about what makes these songs tick harmonically.

This works wonderfully for a pops or contemporary music concert where you can program several pieces and show the breadth of rock across decades. The flexibility also makes these ideal for spring repertoire when you want your ensemble to feel ownership over the material and enjoy the rehearsal process as much as the performance.

• Recognizing and maintaining a steady groove across multiple musical phrases
• Reading chord symbols and understanding functional harmony in popular music
• Playing a consistent rhythmic figure as part of a larger ensemble texture (the backbone role)
• Translating recorded popular music into ensemble parts and arrangement
• Adapting their instrument's voice between melody, harmony, and bass functions
• Balancing precision with the relaxed feel that rock music requires