The Kings of Christmas: Cello
Featuring: Good King Wenceslas / We Three Kings / Joy to the World
Traditional / arr. Bob Phillips
Grade: 1.5
Item: 00-PC-0001750_VC1
$5.99
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Description
Let the earth receive her King! So rings the closing chord of this lovely setting of "Good King Wenceslas," "We Three Kings" and "Joy to the World." Unison parts and varied section features provide interest and skill building for all instruments in this truly easy holiday piece. Correlates with String Explorer Book One, page 32.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Kings of Christmas: Cello 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 String Explorer
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
72
SKU:
00-PC-0001750_VC1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips has shaped string education for decades as a composer, arranger, and conductor with a gift for making complex musical concepts accessible to young players. Since 1953, he has created over 200 published works and authored more than 25 instructional book series, including Sound Innovations and the genre-spanning Philharmonic collections (Jazz, Rock, Mariachi, Latin, and Fiddle). His influence extends across the country; he has conducted all-state orchestras in multiple states, served as resident conductor for Wintergrass Festival in Seattle, and received numerous ASCAP awards for his compositions.
For 27 years, Phillips built the Saline, Michigan string program into a national model serving over 700 students in both classical and eclectic styles. His student ensembles, including the internationally recognized Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, performed at the White House and the Midwest Clinic. His instructional videos, String Clinics to Go, continue to support teachers nationwide. Phillips understands what beginning string players need: music that builds confidence, engages their interest, and opens doors to diverse musical traditions.
Why we love this
This arrangement demonstrates Phillips' skill at weaving three beloved carols into a unified, accessible piece that sounds richer than its 1.5 grade level suggests. The mix of unison passages and varied section features keeps every instrument engaged without overwhelming early players, making it genuinely rewarding to teach and satisfying to perform.
What to expect
Warm, singable, and familiar without feeling childish. The three carols unfold with natural phrasing and generous space for young musicians to breathe and listen to one another, creating moments of genuine musical satisfaction even at this early level.
Who it's for
Beginning string orchestras in their first or second year of instruction will find this piece within their technical and musicianship grasp. Teachers seeking quality holiday repertoire that builds ensemble cohesion while teaching the joy of playing familiar melodies will value its direct connection to String Explorer Book One.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the unison sections so that all voices move as one body of sound; this clarity of line is especially important in Grade 1.5 repertoire where rhythmic precision supports musical unity.
- Shape each carol's phrase ending with a slight ritardando to honor the hymn-like character without disrupting the overall momentum from one tune to the next.
- Use section spotlighting (violas on a particular line, cellos stepping forward in another moment) as a way to build student confidence and highlight the varied writing Phillips provides.
How to use it
Program this as an approachable holiday offering that complements more challenging winter concert selections, or use it as a teaching tool for phrase shape and ensemble blend during the December stretch when rehearsal time is competing with holiday schedules. Its accessibility also makes it an excellent choice for family holiday concerts where younger siblings or community members might be in the audience.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining melodic lines across multiple phrases
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in unison passages
- Listening for blend and balance when featured section parts emerge
- Recognizing and executing stylistic nuance in hymn-like material
- Building confidence through familiar, singable melodies