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The Banks of Bonnie Doon: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$42.00 USD
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The Banks of Bonnie Doon Cover Image

The Banks of Bonnie Doon: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Scottish Folk Song / arr. Dave Black

Grade: 2

Item: 00-31576

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Description
A lush, contemporary string setting reflecting the essence of Mark Williams' band arrangement of this lovely folk song. Done as a tribute to the well-known composer following his death, the smooth flowing quality, balance and dynamics will add tremendously to the emotional appeal of this arrangement. Correlates with Strictly Strings Book 2, Page 16. (2:15) 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, The Banks of Bonnie Doon: 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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Additional Details
Series: Highland/Etling Strictly Strings
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 72
UPC: 038081343525
SKU: 00-31576

More about this title

About the Arranger: Dave Black

Dave Black

Dave Black is a percussionist and composer whose work spans educational publishing, film, and commercial music. He earned his Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from California State University, Northridge, and has built a career as both a performing artist and prolific arranger, collaborating with well-known entertainers and recording projects worldwide.

Black's impact on music education is substantial. He has published over 60 compositions and arrangements with major music publishers, authored or co-authored more than 30 educational books (including Alfred's Drum Method, the world's bestselling percussion method), and earned 26 consecutive ASCAP Popular Composer Awards, two GRAMMY Award participation certificates, and a Percussive Arts Society President's Industry Award. His arrangements and compositions are performed globally by young musicians, with combined sales exceeding two million units.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures the lyrical quality that made Mark Williams' original band version so effective, then reimagines it for string voices with the same attention to emotional shape and harmonic richness. At Grade 2, the writing remains accessible without sacrificing musicality, making it an excellent choice for festivals and concerts where you need something genuinely moving that your ensemble can execute with confidence.

What to expect

Warm and reflective, with the flowing grace of a well-crafted folk melody set in contemporary harmonic language. The arrangement breathes with a sense of reverence, honoring both the tradition of the tune and the legacy of Mark Williams' original work.

Who it's for

String orchestra directors working at the intermediate level (Grade 2) who want repertoire with real emotional substance and artistic depth. This arrangement serves both concert and festival contexts where quality of interpretation matters as much as technical execution.

How to get the most out of it

  • Treat the sustained lines as singing gestures. Even though this is instrumental, the folk melody benefits from the kind of phrase shaping you'd hear in a vocalist's interpretation.
  • Balance the accompaniment carefully so it supports rather than overwhelms the melody. String orchestras at this level can easily let inner voices dominate; transparent voicing will reveal the arrangement's harmonic depth.
  • Pay attention to the dynamics marked throughout. The score's effectiveness depends on following the contour rather than playing at a consistent volume level.

How to use it

Pair this with other folk settings or cultural arrangements to create a meaningful thematic concert segment, or use it as a standalone feature that offers your audience a moment of genuine lyricism. Its moderate length (2:15) makes it flexible for festival programs where timing is precise.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining tone quality through longer phrases without loss of intonation
  • Balancing ensemble voicing when accompanimental lines are present
  • Responding to dynamic shape as a primary tool for musical expression
  • Playing with consistent vibrato and tone production across the string section

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