Rockin' It!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

This score recognizes that students arrive with rock music already in their ears and hands, and rather than fighting that reality, Lieberman makes it the entire point. The flexibility to use acoustic strings, electric instruments, or a hybrid setup means you're not asking players to abandon their identity when they pick up their bows. Programming this piece signals to your orchestra that their musical tastes matter.

Immediate, driving, and unapologetically modern. The score channels the raw momentum of a rock band while preserving the texture and responsiveness of string playing. From the first measure, students recognize the idiom, which shifts rehearsal energy from dutiful execution to genuine enthusiasm.

String orchestras at the intermediate level who want to expand their repertoire beyond traditional classical music and engage students who are skeptical about orchestra relevance. This works equally well for directors aiming to boost attendance at concerts or simply looking to inject contemporary energy into their program without sacrificing musicality.

• Encourage your electric string players to experiment with amp settings and effects during rehearsal, not just in performance. Feedback, distortion, and tone shaping become part of the instrument's voice here, so let students explore those textures intentionally.
• Lock the rhythm section (bass and drums, whether played on strings or added as percussion) into a tight pocket early. Rock grooves live or die on feel, and a sloppy backbeat will undermine the energy the rest of the orchestra is building.
• Balance acoustic and electric timbres by positioning players strategically; avoid burying amplified instruments in a corner. Rehearse the blend so both colors read clearly in the hall.

Close a concert with this piece to send audiences out energized, or place it mid-program to refresh attention if you're building a longer recital. It pairs well with a classical opening and intermission, offering a clear tonal shift that helps audiences experience the orchestra's range. Consider programming it during a pops concert or family event where rock appeal extends invitations beyond traditional orchestra families.

• Reading and executing rhythmic syncopation characteristic of rock grooves
• Coordinating bowed strings with rhythmic accompaniment (bass and drums)
• Balancing acoustic and amplified timbres in ensemble context
• Intonation and tone control across a wider dynamic and timbral range
• Responding to a contemporary, driving musical pulse without metronomic rigidity