This Is Halloween: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Danny Elfman / Arranged by James Kazik
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00338793
$55.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| This Is Halloween - Conductor Score (Full Score) | $7.50 | |
| This Is Halloween - Violin 1 | $7.00 | |
| This Is Halloween - Violin 2 | $7.00 | |
| This Is Halloween - Violin 3 (Viola Treble Clef) | $7.00 | |
| This Is Halloween - Viola | $7.00 | |
| This Is Halloween - Cello | $7.00 | |
| This Is Halloween - Bass | $7.00 | |
| This Is Halloween - Piano | $7.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
From Disney and Tim Burton's hit film "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Danny Elfman's quirky, spooky tune is a terrific program choice for both Halloween and holiday themed concerts. Students have adopted the film as one of their evergreen favorites and will be thrilled to perform this memorable tune.
Dur: 2:35
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00338793
More about this title
About the Artist: Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman is a composer and musician whose film scores have shaped the sound of contemporary cinema. His work spans collaborations with Tim Burton on iconic films like "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Beetlejuice," and "Edward Scissorhands," where his distinctive blend of whimsy, darkness, and orchestral sophistication creates instantly recognizable soundscapes. Elfman's music teaches students that film scoring demands both technical mastery and imaginative storytelling through instrumentation.
Beyond film, Elfman has composed ballet, opera, and concert works that demonstrate his command of classical forms. His ability to balance accessibility with musical complexity makes his arrangements ideal teaching tools. When students perform his work, they engage with music that professional orchestras and film audiences worldwide have celebrated.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the infectious melody and offbeat charm that made the song stick in your students' heads the moment they heard it, while James Kazik's orchestration sits comfortably within the range and technique of intermediate strings. The Grade 3-4 difficulty means you can program it without extensive sectional work, freeing rehearsal time for musical refinement rather than technical problem-solving.
What to expect
Mischievous and darkly playful, with just enough edge to keep things interesting. The melody bounces along with understated spookiness rather than obvious horror, and the orchestration likely maintains Elfman's signature trick of making slightly unsettling harmonies feel strangely charming. Your students will find themselves smiling while they play.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level (Grade 3-4) who want reliable material for October concerts or holiday programs. This works equally well for ensembles looking to program something their students actually recognize and care about performing.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the pizzicato rhythms against the lyrical sections so the playful character reads clearly; understate the marking and let the tuning do the work.
- Give violins permission to lean into the somewhat quirky articulations Elfman favors; this isn't about pristine uniformity but about personality.
- Establish a solid pulse early in rehearsals since the arrangement likely plays with rhythmic displacement typical of Elfman's style. A metronome helps before students find confidence.
- Record a run-through early and listen back together as a section. Hearing how the parts interact often clarifies balance problems faster than repeated drilling.
How to use it
Program this on a Halloween concert alongside one or two atmospheric shorter pieces to anchor a themed program without overshadowing other works. Alternatively, save it for a December holiday concert where "Nightmare Before Christmas" thematic material bridges October and December celebrations in a way contemporary audiences find genuinely delightful.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing rhythmic figures that blend standard and syncopated patterns
- Balancing pizzicato and arco textures within a single arrangement
- Responding to quirky harmonic movement without losing pitch center
- Coordinating ensemble articulation across multiple string parts