The Simple Gifts of Music: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Shaker Folk Song / arr. Jeffrey E. Turner
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PK-0006060
$46.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| The Simple Gifts of Music: Score | $6.00 | |
| The Simple Gifts of Music: 1st Violin | $5.99 | |
| The Simple Gifts of Music: 2nd Violin | $5.99 | |
| The Simple Gifts of Music: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC]) | $5.99 | |
| The Simple Gifts of Music: Viola | $5.99 | |
| The Simple Gifts of Music: Cello | $5.99 | |
| The Simple Gifts of Music: String Bass | $5.99 |
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Description
A simple yet interesting arrangement of the much-loved tune, "Simple Gifts," that will delight music lovers. The use of counterpoint provides a challenge, yet this delightful piece is still very playable. (2:30) 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 Simple Gifts of Music: 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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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Beginning String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
72
SKU:
00-PK-0006060
More about this title
Why we love this
Turner's treatment preserves the folk tune's warmth while introducing genuine contrapuntal writing that stretches young players without overwhelming them. The counterpoint feels purposeful rather than decorative, giving orchestras something real to accomplish at this level. It's the kind of arrangement that sounds more sophisticated than its Grade 2 designation suggests.
What to expect
Warm and meditative, with the familiar contours of "Simple Gifts" threading through a gently woven fabric of voices. The counterpoint adds intellectual interest without disturbing the tune's inherent gentleness; it feels like the melody is being supported and adorned rather than complicated.
Who it's for
Beginning string orchestras ready to move beyond unison melody into layered textures. This works for ensembles with mixed experience levels where some players have one or two years of study and need an accessible yet musically coherent challenge.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the countermelodies carefully during the contrapuntal sections so that no single voice dominates. Ask sections to listen across the orchestra, not just their own parts.
- Maintain consistent vibrato (or non-vibrato, if that's your studio standard) within each section to blend the harmonic lines cleanly where they intersect.
- Conduct the piece with clear, steady pulse through tempo changes if any occur; young orchestras need visual confidence to navigate the polyphonic writing.
How to use it
Program this as a standalone concert piece that bridges repertoire levels or pair it with other folk-based string works to create a thematic set. Its moderate length (2:30) and accessible style make it suitable for family-friendly concerts, and its contest-ready designation means it's equally at home in festival settings.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing countermelodies while maintaining rhythmic integrity
- Listening across section lines to balance multiple voices in the same register
- Maintaining even tone quality and intonation when playing accompanying parts
- Sustaining attention through a multi-voiced texture at moderate tempo