The Ghost of John: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$60.00 USD

The Ghost of John: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: The Ghost of John: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-4327
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Arr. Susan C. Brown

Grade: 2

Item: 00-4327

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This excellent arrangement by Susan Brown is written in theme and variations format. It includes "warm-up" exercises and beginner string parts (also included in the score). Piano and percussion parts enhance the piece greatly, but are not essential. Ultra-flexible scoring makes this piece a great combined festival number. The special effects lend vivid programmatic impressions which keep your group alert and entertained while they learn about different styles, meters, bowings and keys (G and D). Fun for all! 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 Ghost of John: 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 String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 192

UPC: 038081026251

SKU: 00-4327

More about this title

Why we love this

Susan Brown's arrangement proves that a Grade 2 piece doesn't mean thin orchestration or limited musical interest. The theme and variations format keeps every section engaged while naturally introducing new technical challenges, and the programmatic special effects give your students genuine reasons to stay alert and invested in the music they're playing.

What to expect

Playful and atmospheric, shifting between different moods and textures as the variations unfold. The special effects create vivid musical pictures that keep the ear engaged, while the underlying melody stays accessible enough that every player feels they're contributing to something coherent and intentional.

Who it's for

String orchestras at Grade 2 ready to work with variations and mixed keys without getting overwhelmed. This arrangement works for groups building confidence with multiple meters and bowings, and it's particularly strong for ensembles preparing for festival or combined performance settings where flexibility and clarity matter.

How to get the most out of it

Work the warm-up exercises included in the score as part of your rehearsal routine before tackling the main piece. They target the specific techniques you'll need later and help players understand how the variations build on the opening theme.
Experiment with optional piano and percussion parts during rehearsals even if you can't perform with them. Hearing how they color the arrangement teaches your strings about texture and will deepen their musicality when the full ensemble comes together.
Mark your parts clearly when the meter or key changes. The shift between G and D major, plus the different meters Brown uses, rewards explicit preparation and prevents the scramble that can happen mid-rehearsal.
Lean into the special effects and programmatic moments. They're not decorative; they're what makes this piece fun to play and gives your students a concrete reason to care about executing the bowings and articulations accurately.

How to use it

This pairs well on a festival program alongside more serious Grade 2 fare; its lighter character and programmatic elements give audiences a chance to hear your group's personality. It also works as a confident closer to a rehearsal or as the centerpiece of a standalone pops concert where ensemble flexibility and variety are assets rather than challenges.