Tinsel and Tango: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Wenceslas Decks the Halls
Arranged by Erica Donahoe
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PK-0009540
$60.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Tinsel and Tango: Score | $12.00 | |
| Tinsel and Tango: 1st Violin | $3.00 | |
| Tinsel and Tango: 2nd Violin | $3.00 | |
| Tinsel and Tango: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC]) | $3.00 | |
| Tinsel and Tango: Viola | $3.00 | |
| Tinsel and Tango: Cello | $3.00 | |
| Tinsel and Tango: String Bass | $3.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Spice up your holiday concert with Tinsel and Tango, by Erica Donahoe, a fun twist on "Good King Wenceslas" and "Deck the Halls." A great chance to incorporate some early extensions, and students can focus on intonation and dynamics in this all-pizzicato piece. The running eighth notes that move throughout the sections will help keep everyone nice and steady in this holiday tango!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Tinsel and Tango: 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:
Highland String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PK-0009540
More about this title
Why we love this
Donahoe's arrangement solves a real scheduling challenge: you get two beloved carols reimagined through a single musical lens, which streamlines rehearsal time without sacrificing novelty. The all-pizzicato texture keeps young players engaged and removes the intonation struggles that plague sustained holiday fare, while the tango rhythm gives this music genuine personality rather than dutiful holiday filler.
What to expect
Joyful and playful, with a Latin-influenced strut that transforms two familiar carols into something contemporary and spirited. The pizzicato texture creates a bright, conversational tone as melodic lines dance between sections, keeping the mood light and festive rather than reverent.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 2 level who want seasonal repertoire that doesn't require extended techniques or heavy vibrato. Directors seeking a piece that challenges young players' rhythmic independence and intonation awareness without overwhelming them with complexity work well here.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock in the running eighth notes across all sections from the top. These aren't just accompaniment; they're the heartbeat that glues the tango feel together. Have sections play their rhythmic figures alone before layering them with melody.
- Shape dynamics within the pizzicato articulation. Pizzicato doesn't mean uniform; use softer and louder plucks to highlight the dance character and bring out phrase contours.
- Bring out the festive tone by keeping the tempo steady and energetic. The tango style thrives on rhythmic clarity, so a metronome during early rehearsals builds confidence across the ensemble.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener or a midsection accent piece to break up more traditional holiday selections. It pairs beautifully with slower, sustained arrangements; the contrast in texture and tempo will refresh your audience's ears and showcase your orchestra's versatility within a single concert theme.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic independence while maintaining ensemble cohesion in running figurations
- Intonation accuracy in pizzicato passages across multiple parts
- Dynamic control and articulation shaping within non-vibrato playing
- Understanding tango rhythm and style outside classical tradition
- Part independence and listening to surrounding voices