Sleepers Wake (More of the Best of Bach): Score
By Johann Sebastian Bach / arr. Jerry Brubaker
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PR-0002215
$9.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
The familiar Johann Sebastian Bach melody will be loved by one and all. Solidly scored for your strings or full orchestra, the delicate melody will reinforce the musicianship of the entire ensemble. (3:08)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Sleepers Wake (More of the Best of Bach): Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Intermediate String/Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
238
SKU:
00-PR-0002215
More about this title
About the Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685, 1750) shaped the foundations of Western music through his mastery of counterpoint, harmonic language, and structural invention. His output spans nearly every genre of his era, and his music remains central to music education because it teaches musicians how voices interact, how phrases breathe, and how architecture serves expression.
Why we love this
Jerry Brubaker's scoring preserves the contemplative character of this chorale melody while making it accessible to Grade 2 ensembles. The arrangement sits beautifully across strings and winds, giving every section a chance to carry the line without overwhelming younger players. You'll find this works equally well as an opener or closer, and it programs naturally alongside other Baroque masterworks or as a moment of stillness in a varied concert.
What to expect
Reverent and intimate. The familiar melody carries a sense of quiet contemplation, unfolding with the clarity of a chorale sung by a small chorus. Even with full orchestration, the arrangement maintains an inward quality that invites listeners to settle and listen.
Who it's for
This is ideal for conductors building Grade 2 orchestras or string programs who want to introduce Baroque repertoire with immediate musical payoff. Works well in middle school settings where technical demands stay manageable but expressive goals remain high.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melody as a singing line, not a sequence of notes. Let the phrase arc naturally over the bar lines.
- Balance the accompaniment so it supports without masking the primary melodic voice. Voicing clarity matters more than volume.
- Conduct with a steady hand and allow time for the harmonic changes to land; this chorale rewards restraint over urgency.
- If using the recorded accompaniment, use it as a reference for tempo and style, then build ensemble confidence through sectional rehearsals.
How to use it
Open a concert with this to establish a focused atmosphere, or use it as a bridge between contrasting pieces. The 3:08 duration makes it practical for festival settings, and its moderate technical demands mean you can program it without exhausting your ensemble's preparation calendar.
Skills your students will build
- Singing through sustained notes without vibrato wobble
- Balancing melodic and harmonic roles within the ensemble
- Responding to subtle dynamic shadings and phrase arcs
- Reading Bach's harmonic language and understanding voice leading
- Ensemble tuning in slow tempos where intonation is exposed