Serenade for Strings: Score
By Dwight Gustafson
Grade: 4
Item: 00-PR-0002576
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Description
This absolutely gorgeous work for string orchestra simply sings with musicality. Incredibly expressive, this piece holds its own with the true classics of string literature. Your orchestra will grow in maturity and sound through the study of this music.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Serenade for Strings: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
62
SKU:
00-PR-0002576
More about this title
About the Composer: Dwight Gustafson
Dr. Dwight Gustafson has shaped music education and composition for decades as dean emeritus of the School of Fine Arts at Bob Jones University, a position he held for more than 40 years. His compositional training spans multiple institutions: he earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in church music at Bob Jones University, then completed his Doctor of Music in Composition at Florida State University as a graduate fellow.
Beyond the concert hall, Gustafson remains deeply engaged in music education as conductor of the Bob Jones University Symphony Orchestra and the University Opera Association, and as a clinician for high school choral and orchestral programs. His catalog spans operas, film scores, and orchestral works including the violin concerto Encounters and Fantasia for a Celebration, which was commissioned by the Williamsburg Symphonia for the city's 300th anniversary celebration.
Why we love this
Gustafson writes for strings with genuine understanding of what makes young orchestras sound mature. The piece sits comfortably at Grade 4 while demanding real musicality and control, so your students will feel the seriousness of what they're playing. This is contest-ready literature that won't feel like a compromise.
What to expect
Warmth and lyrical grace define this serenade. Each section sings with genuine expression, and the piece never relies on empty passage work or filler; Gustafson's orchestration supports every note with purpose. The result is music that feels both refined and accessible.
Who it's for
String orchestra conductors seeking Grade 4 repertoire that competes artistically with established classics rather than settling for functional arrangements. This is for programs preparing for contest or festival performance, and for conductors who want to build orchestral maturity through thoughtful, well-crafted music.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the phrasing generously across bar lines rather than in small units; string players at this level need a conductor who marks clear phrase goals so they know where each gesture is heading.
- Balance the divisi sections carefully during rehearsal to ensure no one voice disappears, particularly when upper strings split into three or four parts.
- Allow rehearsal time specifically for intonation work in the expressive passages; Gustafson's harmonic language rewards precision and punishes rushed tuning.
- Encourage consistent vibrato and tone quality throughout sustained passages, as the piece's musicality depends on singers' approach to long notes.
How to use it
Pair this with lighter or more energetic works to showcase your orchestra's range and maturity. It functions beautifully as a closing piece on a concert, or as an anchor for a thematic program exploring string literature. Contest schedulers will appreciate a work this polished at the Grade 4 level.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained phrasing across longer melodic lines
- Balance and blend within divisi textures
- Intonation control in expressive harmonic contexts
- Ensemble unity and vertical alignment in lyrical writing
- Understanding of string tone production as a vehicle for musical expression