World of Warcraft: 2nd Violin

This arrangement taps into repertoire your students are genuinely excited about, which changes everything about rehearsal energy and concert attendance. Brubaker's orchestration for Grade 4 holds real musical substance—the themes are memorable but the accompanying parts require genuine ensemble coordination and dynamic control. It's a closer that lands without feeling like a novelty act.

Epic and immersive, with sweeping orchestral gestures that make every section feel like they're part of something grand. The arrangement captures the scale and heroism of its source material while staying true to orchestral tradition, creating moments of real power alongside quieter passages of reflection.

Orchestras at the Grade 4 level who want to program something their students know and love without sacrificing musical substance. This works for directors seeking a finale that excites both players and the audience, drawing on the cultural moment around gaming while maintaining respect for orchestral playing.

• Balance the synth harp and keyboard parts so they anchor the harmonic foundation without drowning out the thematic material in strings and woodwinds.
• The percussion battery is substantial; lock the timpani and bass drum with the low brass to define the harmonic rhythm and build momentum through transitions.
• Shape the melodic lines with long-term phrasing rather than playing it straight—these themes reward gentle rubato and expressive control.
• Use the vibraphone and lighter percussion sparingly and with precision; they have real character work to do, not just texture.

Program this as a concert closer on a pops or film music themed concert, where it anchors the second half and sends the audience out energized. It pairs well with other video game, film, or contemporary orchestral music, and its 228 pages of material gives you substance for a full rehearsal cycle without feeling like filler.

• Balance and blend across a full orchestra with expanded percussion and keyboard
• Sustaining long melodic lines with harmonic awareness in secondary voices
• Coordinating complex rhythmic figures between sections (strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion)
• Dynamic control and shape within a cinematic orchestral context
• Reading transposed parts and managing range extensions across all instruments