Rocket Out!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Carrie Lane Gruselle
Grade: 2
Item: 98-DST6245
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket Out!: Score | $5.00 | |
| Rocket Out!: Violin 1 | $7.00 | |
| Rocket Out!: Violin 2 | $7.00 | |
| Rocket Out!: Violin 3 (Viola T.C.) | $7.00 | |
| Rocket Out!: Viola | $7.00 | |
| Rocket Out!: Violoncello | $7.00 | |
| Rocket Out!: Double Bass | $7.00 | |
| Rocket Out!: Drum Set (opt.) | $7.00 | |
| Rocket Out!: Piano (opt.) | $7.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
The fun title is just a hint of the explosive nature of this rock piece based on a 12-bar blues form. An optional drum set part is included to give the piece even more energy. After a statement of the melody in upper strings, the lower strings take over in a stop chorus before the entire group comes back together to bring this one home. They won't just hit this one of the ballpark - they'll Rocket Out!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Developing Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DST6245
More about this title
About the Composer: Carrie Lane Gruselle
Carrie Lane Gruselle earned her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and her Master of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where she focused on Suzuki pedagogy. She teaches elementary and middle school strings for the Appleton Area School District and serves as cello instructor for the Lawrence University Arts Academy in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Why we love this
Gruselle taps into the raw energy of rock music while keeping the writing grounded in a transparent 12-bar blues form that young string players can follow and feel. The optional drum set part transforms the piece from solid to truly propulsive, and the structured dialogue between upper and lower strings gives every section meaningful material rather than relegating anyone to filler accompaniment.
What to expect
Electric and propulsive, with a swagger that comes from the blues DNA running through every measure. The piece has enough attitude to excite young musicians and audiences alike, yet the writing remains transparent enough that players feel capable and heard rather than buried.
Who it's for
Grade 2 string orchestras that are ready to explore contemporary popular genres while building foundational musical confidence. This piece works well for orchestras with mixed instrumentation and varying levels of individual proficiency, since the blues form is forgiving and the ensemble sound carries younger players.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock in the 12-bar blues groove with your ensemble before adding dynamic contrast; rhythmic confidence makes the rock idiom land.
- If including the drum set, rehearse it separately first so the drummer understands the blues form, then layer it in gradually to avoid swallowing the strings.
- Shape the stop chorus for the lower strings as a genuine moment of spotlight, not a step down in energy; this transition hinges on clear articulation and intonation.
- Let the final ensemble section build organically; resist the urge to jump to full volume right away so the return of all voices creates genuine impact.
How to use it
Place this early on a concert to establish energy and mood, or use it as a bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire in the same program. Its infectious spirit makes it ideal for family concerts and school assemblies where you want to remind audiences that string instruments belong in every musical conversation.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and feeling 12-bar blues form
- Playing with rhythmic precision in a rock/popular style
- Executing articulate, driving bow strokes on sustained rock figures
- Balancing ensemble sound across upper and lower string sections
- Responding to dynamics that push beyond traditional classical ranges