Star Dancer: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$46.00 USD

Star Dancer: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Star Dancer: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-12991
Price: 46.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Mark Williams

Grade: 1

Item: 00-12991

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This fresh, contemporary-sounding work by Mark Williams allows your young string players to experience the changing modes and tonalities of 20th-century music within an extremely easy format. Featuring interesting parts for all instruments, Star Dancer is certain to be a favorite with your students. (Grade 1 - Correlates with Strictly Strings Book 1, page 27) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Star Dancer: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Highland/Etling Strictly Strings

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 72

ISBN10: 1-4706-5699-X

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-5699-7

UPC: 038081126746

SKU: 00-12991

More about this title

About the Composer: Mark Williams

Mark Williams built his career as one of the most prolific composers for young musicians, creating over 200 works for school bands, orchestras, and choirs. A native of Chicago who spent his formative years in Spokane, Washington, he earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Education and Master of Education from Eastern Washington University and taught elementary music in Washington schools for many years. Beyond the classroom, Williams served as woodwind performer and arranger for the 560th Air Force Band and held the position of Conductor and Artistic Director for the Spokane British Brass Band.

As a clinician and guest conductor, Williams traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia, sharing his expertise with young musicians everywhere. His compositions garnered significant recognition, including wins at the Western International Band Clinic's Gralia Competition and multiple ASCAP Special Awards. He is perhaps best known as co-author of the Accent on Achievement Band Method, a resource that has guided generations of young players.

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Why we love this

Williams crafted this piece to showcase 20th-century compositional techniques without overwhelming young musicians. The changing modes and tonalities give students genuine exposure to contemporary music language while the accessible grade level ensures every section of your orchestra stays engaged and successful. It's the kind of work that expands musical vocabulary without sacrificing the joy of playing.

What to expect

The music has a contemporary yet approachable quality, with shifting colors and a sense of motion that justifies its title. Students hear themselves playing music that sounds fresh and interesting rather than purely foundational, giving them confidence and genuine musical satisfaction.

Who it's for

Young string orchestras at the beginning level, particularly those using the Strictly Strings curriculum. This piece works beautifully for elementary ensembles ready to experience something beyond traditional major and minor tonality without facing technical obstacles.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the modal shifts carefully by asking each section to listen for when the tonal center moves. This helps students understand the harmonic architecture rather than just reading notes.
Let the title guide your interpretation: bring out the dancer's movement through intentional phrasing and articulation choices in the melodic lines.
The interesting parts Williams provides for all instruments mean there are no passengers here. Give every player ownership of their line, which builds ensemble cohesion.
Mark any key signature or modal changes in your parts during rehearsal so students can anticipate the harmonic landscape.

How to use it

Program this as part of a concert exploring modern composers for young ensembles, or use it as a bridge piece when transitioning students from the Strictly Strings workbook into independent literature. Its grade level and direct curriculum connection make it ideal for spring concerts or festival performances where you want accessible but musically substantive repertoire.