The One-Bow Concerto: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$62.00 USD

The One-Bow Concerto: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: The One-Bow Concerto: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-20795
Price: 62.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Richard Meyer

Grade: 2

Item: 00-20795

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This original piece features three soloists and the use of only one bow throughout! Your audience will be captivated as they watch the violin, viola, and cello soloists pass a bow amongst themselves while the rest of the string orchestra accompanies pizzicato. The concerto begins with a slow Mozart-like opening section followed by a lively 6/8 section that allows the soloists to show off. By the end, the bow ends up in the conductor's hand, used as a baton to bring this crowd-pleaser to a rousing conclusion. Very playable by less experienced groups but a joy for all groups to play, hear and watch! 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 One-Bow Concerto: 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: 136

UPC: 038081219790

SKU: 00-20795

More about this title

About the Composer: Richard Meyer

Richard Meyer spent 35 years in the public school classroom, building one of Southern California's largest string programs at Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City, where he grew enrollment from 29 to 200 students over two decades. His work extends beyond the school day: he directed the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra for 16 years, led ensembles on international tours to Vienna, Australia, and Canada, and founded the "Giving Bach" program, which brings interactive concerts to special needs and underserved student populations across Southern California.

As a composer, Meyer has established himself as a prolific voice in string education, with nearly 200 works and arrangements in circulation. His tenure as string editor for Alfred Publishing Company and his co-authorship of foundational method resources like the String Explorer Series and Sight-read It for Strings reflect his deep understanding of what students need at every level. He remains active as a guest conductor and clinician, regularly presenting at national conferences and All-State workshops.

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Why we love this

Meyer has crafted a piece that works as both visual theater and genuine musical engagement. The concept of passing a single bow among three soloists could feel gimmicky in less skilled hands, but here it becomes an elegant framework for teaching ensemble cohesion, listening, and musicianship without sacrificing the joy of performance. Grade 2 groups will play a real concerto with shape and personality, not a novelty act.

What to expect

The opening unfolds with Mozart-inspired elegance, unhurried and conversational among the soloists. Once the 6/8 section arrives, the energy brightens and quickens, inviting the soloists to display their growing voices while the pizzicato strings drive the rhythm underneath. The final passage becomes almost ceremonial as the bow finds its way into your hand, bringing the concerto full circle.

Who it's for

This work is ideal for young string orchestras building confidence in standard repertoire while keeping energy and engagement high. It rewards groups at the Grade 2 level without requiring virtuosity, making it accessible to developing ensembles while remaining musically satisfying for more experienced players.

How to get the most out of it

Establish clear hand signals with your three soloists before rehearsals begin so the bow exchanges happen smoothly and visibly. Practice the transitions as carefully as you would any exposed passage.
Ask the pizzicato section to maintain rhythmic precision without relying on the bow work for timing. This cultivates independent part-playing and gives the soloists freedom to breathe musically.
Slow the tempo slightly in the Mozart-like opening to let the audience absorb what's happening. Once they understand the concept, they'll settle into listening rather than watching.
Conduct the final moment crisply when the bow reaches your hand. That baton moment is the payoff; make it feel ceremonial and purposeful.

How to use it

Program this for a concert where visual interest enhances your message about collaboration and orchestral listening. It works particularly well mid-concert to shift energy and reset audience attention, or as a festival entry where the novelty of execution pairs with genuine musicianship to leave a lasting impression.