Villancico: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Traditional Spanish Song / arr. Robert Sieving
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PK-0006695
$49.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Villancico: Score | $9.00 | |
| Villancico: 1st Violin | $5.99 | |
| Villancico: 2nd Violin | $5.99 | |
| Villancico: Viola | $5.99 | |
| Villancico: Cello | $5.99 | |
| Villancico: String Bass | $5.99 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
This arrangement of Hacia Belén va una burra, one of the most widely known carols in South and Central America tells the story of a donkey's journey to Bethlehem. The piece is sprightly and accented, emphasizing the dance-like movement inherent in a villancico. (2:15)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Villancico: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PK-0006695
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert Sieving
Robert Sieving brings decades of experience as both a composer and arranger working across instrumental and choral genres. Since 1942, his output has grown to over 100 published works for strings and choral ensembles, appearing in the catalogs of major publishers and earning recognition within the American Composers Forum and American Choral Directors Association.
Based in the Minneapolis area, Sieving has established himself as a go-to arranger for educators seeking quality repertoire that balances accessibility with musical substance. His work with traditional and folk material demonstrates his commitment to bringing diverse cultural music into concert halls and educational settings.
Why we love this
Sieving captures the infectious character of this beloved Central and South American carol without sacrificing the driving energy that makes villancicos so rewarding to perform. The arrangement sits perfectly at Grade 3, giving orchestras the chance to tackle an authentic cultural work with genuine musical substance rather than oversimplified filler. The sprightly articulation and dance rhythms make this a standout choice for holiday programming that feels fresh and specific.
What to expect
Sprightly and rhythmically infectious, this arrangement sparkles with the playful narrative of a humble donkey on pilgrimage. The dance-like character and bright orchestral colors create a sense of movement and warmth, balancing celebration with the simplicity of the story.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level looking for festival and contest repertoire that connects to holiday programming or world music units. Directors want a piece that teaches musical citizenship through authentic folk material while remaining approachable for players still building ensemble skills.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the articulation crisp and consistent across the ensemble; this piece depends on rhythmic clarity to maintain its buoyant character.
- Emphasize the dance-like groove by locking in the accompaniment figures; treat rhythmic precision as a compositional feature, not merely a technical requirement.
- Balance the storytelling aspect (a donkey journeying to Bethlehem) with the musical humor in Sieving's orchestration; let the lightness of touch come through without dragging the tempo.
How to use it
Pair this with other Latin or holiday repertoire in a winter concert that explores cultural traditions beyond Western European carols. Its 2:15 duration and energetic close make it an ideal mid-program piece to shift mood and tempo, or a strong closer that leaves audiences with lightness and joy.
Skills your students will build
- Articulation and rhythmic precision in ensemble contexts
- Reading and performing in Latin and world music idioms
- Balancing melody and accompaniment roles within string section parts
- Performing accented, dance-like rhythmic figures with musical expression