Sword Dance: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$55.00 USD

Sword Dance: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Sword Dance: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-20570
Price: 55.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Arr. Bob Phillips

Grade: 1

Item: 00-20570

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$55.00

Shipped

One moment…

Looking for a piece that's fun to play but still educationally sound? Try Sword Dance on your next concert. Students will love this high-energy tune from the Renaissance era. The piece starts with a presentation of the tune in the low strings that continues in the violins. It is then played antiphonally, followed by a pizzicato variation that concludes in an exuberant, fast-paced ending. Correlated with String Explorer, Book 1, Unit 12. 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, Sword Dance: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts 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.

Series: Highland/Etling String Explorer

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 72

ISBN10: 1-4706-5399-0

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-5399-6

UPC: 038081204031

SKU: 00-20570

More about this title

About the Arranger: Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips has shaped string education for decades through his prolific output as a composer and arranger. Since 1953, he has created over 200 works for orchestras and bands, authored 25+ book series including Sound Innovations and the eclectic style collections (Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, Mariachi Philharmonic, and others), and earned recognition as an award-winning ASCAP composer whose pieces are performed regularly at the Midwest Clinic.

For 27 years, Phillips built the Saline, Michigan string program into a national model, expanding it to over 700 students working across classical and world music styles. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, which performed internationally and at the White House, and has conducted at state all-state orchestras, youth symphonies, and prestigious summer programs including Interlochen and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. His instructional DVDs, String Clinics to Go, have reached thousands of teachers nationwide.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Sword Dance captures the energy students crave while meeting real pedagogical goals. The sectional structure—low strings, violin dialogue, pizzicato variation, and climactic finale—gives every section its moment and prevents any player from sitting idle, keeping engagement high from start to finish.

What to expect

A Renaissance melody brought to life with infectious rhythmic drive. The piece dances between dignified presentation and playful reinterpretation, moving from the warmth of low strings through bright violin exchanges into the shimmering shimmer of pizzicato, all building toward an exuberant burst of sound.

Who it's for

Grade 1 string orchestras seeking concert repertoire that balances energy with accessibility. Players who have completed the foundational concepts in String Explorer Book 1 will find this piece reinforces their skills while delivering the satisfaction of performing a recognizable historical tune.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the rhythmic foundation in cellos and basses during the opening presentation; their steady pulse will anchor the violin entrance that follows.
Shape the antiphonal section by clarifying which section plays on each phrase; a slight breath between exchanges prevents the lines from blurring together.
Maintain articulation clarity in the pizzicato variation by practicing it slowly first, ensuring fingers strike the strings decisively rather than plucking softly.
Build momentum through the fast-paced ending by gradually increasing intensity in the final measures without rushing the actual tempo.

How to use it

Program this early in a concert to establish energy and set a positive tone; its direct appeal and accessible difficulty make it an ideal opener. The piece also fits naturally into thematic concerts exploring historical music or world styles, especially when paired with other Phillips arrangements that extend students' cultural and musical horizons.