The Great Bicycle Race: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$55.00 USD

The Great Bicycle Race: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: The Great Bicycle Race: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-31535
Price: 55.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Michael Hopkins

Grade: 3

Item: 00-31535

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This energetic new work is a musical depiction of the Seacoast Century, a 100 mile bike race along the New England coast. A programmatic work, descriptors are included for each part of the piece to engage students' imagination and develop musicality. This is a great work to teach string crossings, legato and staccato bowing, dynamic contrasts, bow placement, lifts and retakes, double stops, divisi, balance and blend. All parts contain melodic material and are playable in first position.

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Series: Belwin Intermediate String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 144

UPC: 038081350561

SKU: 00-31535

More about this title

About the Composer: Michael Hopkins

Michael Hopkins teaches string techniques and orchestra methods at the University of Michigan, where he also serves as Professor and Chair of Music Education. His background includes conducting positions at the University of Vermont and in public school systems across Colorado, Michigan, and Vermont, plus founding and directing the Burlington Chamber Orchestra. He has guest conducted at over 100 orchestra festivals and clinics nationwide.

Hopkins has published more than 70 compositions and arrangements for orchestra and contributed articles to major music education journals including the Journal of Research in Music Education and American String Teacher. His book The Art of String Teaching, published by GIA Publications, is a widely used pedagogy resource for string teachers, conductors, and private instructors. His research and presentations at national conferences focus on string education and music technology.

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Why we love this

Hopkins writes with real knowledge of what string students need to develop at Grade 3. The programmatic framework transforms technique work into storytelling, which keeps players engaged while building crossings, bow control, and balance. Every part has a role in the narrative, so ensemble members feel invested in the overall musical arc rather than playing secondary material.

What to expect

The piece captures the physical and emotional journey of a century bike ride: the rolling hills of coastal New England, the push through fatigue, the camaraderie of riders, and the triumph of crossing the finish line. Energetic rhythms and melodic interest give it forward momentum, while dynamic contrasts and tempo variations reflect the changing terrain and effort level throughout the 100 miles.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the Grade 3 level looking for programmatic repertoire that teaches technique through musical storytelling. Directors who want to develop bowing control, ensemble balance, and musicality without sacrificing engagement or playability across all parts.

How to get the most out of it

Mark the program descriptors in rehearsal so students can connect musical gestures to the race narrative. When they know which section depicts 'climbing a steep hill,' the dynamic swells and tempo shifts become purposeful rather than arbitrary.
Use the divisi sections to reinforce balance and blend. Have students switch between first and second parts across rehearsals so everyone understands how the lines interact and can adjust their own sound accordingly.
Isolate the double stops by section and tempo before combining them with the full texture. Grade 3 ensembles benefit from slow, deliberate work on intonation and bow weight in these moments.
Plan bow lifts and retakes explicitly. Mark them in parts during the first run-through and practice the mechanics separately so transitions stay clean under tempo.

How to use it

Program this as a vibrant concert opener that appeals to audiences unfamiliar with string orchestra music. Its accessible Grade 3 level and engaging narrative make it ideal for spring or end-of-year concerts where you want to showcase the ensemble's growth. It also works well in festival settings where programmatic context helps adjudicators appreciate the musical choices.