The Red-Haired Girl: String Orchestra Conductor Score

$10.00 USD

The Red-Haired Girl: String Orchestra Conductor Score

Name: The Red-Haired Girl: String Orchestra Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51752S
Price: 10.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Bob Phillips

Grade: 3

Item: 00-51752S

$10.00

Shipped

One moment…

In The Red-Haired Girl, by Bob Phillips, the influences of Bach's Cello Suite No. 1, Irish folk music, and a traditional Irish hymn have been incorporated into this dramatic piece. The cello and first violin sections have features, and all sections have challenging and fun-to-play parts with unusual and gorgeous harmonies. (4:15)

The Red-Haired Girl: String Orchestra Conductor Score isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.

Series: Highland String Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

ISBN10: 1-4706-7396-7

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-7396-3

UPC: 038081596167

SKU: 00-51752S

More about this title

About the Composer: Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips has shaped string education through decades of teaching, conducting, and composing. Based in Saline, Michigan, he built a nationally recognized program serving over 700 students and founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, an ensemble that performed more than 80 shows annually and appeared at the White House. His work bridges classical training with eclectic styles, evident in publications like the Sound Innovations series and genre-specific collections (Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, Mariachi Philharmonic, and others).

As a prolific composer with over 200 published works, Phillips has become known for his innovative approach to large group pedagogy. He has served as resident conductor at Wintergrass Festival, guest conducted state and all-state orchestras across the country, and worked as arranger for the professional string ensemble Barrage 8. An ASCAP award winner, his compositions and teaching materials are performed by thousands of students annually and regularly appear at the Midwest Clinic.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Phillips takes familiar musical DNA, Bach's architecture, Irish melody, hymn harmony, and creates something entirely fresh. The cello and first violin get genuine featured moments, but every section owns engaging, singable lines, which keeps rehearsals energized and performances cohesive. At Grade 3, it demands musical maturity without requiring virtuosity, landing in that sweet spot where students feel accomplished and audiences hear something genuinely moving.

What to expect

Lyrical and introspective, with moments of warmth that feel both ancient and immediate. The piece unfolds like a story told by someone who knows both the concert hall and the folk session, letting melodies surface and fade while the harmony shifts beneath in rich, unexpected ways.

Who it's for

Grade 3 orchestras ready for more sophisticated harmonic language and ensemble texture. Directors programming contests or festivals benefit from its marked contest/festival designation, and teachers seeking repertoire that honors both classical and folk traditions will find it immediately useful.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the cello line prominently in the opening section; these students often sit in the back and need permission to be heard as soloists.
Let the unusual harmonies breathe by avoiding the temptation to rush through phrase endings; the gorgeous chords deserve the room to resonate.
Mark the tempo at 4:15 total and work backwards through sections to ensure pacing feels inevitable rather than fractured.
Separate the Bach influence from the Irish folk character in your rehearsal language; students play with more intention when they understand which musical tradition shapes each passage.

How to use it

Pair it with lighter contemporary fare on a concert to anchor the program with musical substance. Its contest suitability makes it ideal for festival programming in spring or early competition season when students have time to absorb the harmonic nuance without sacrificing performance readiness.