SKU: AP.49070S

ISBN 9781470647933. UPC: 038081567150. English.

This multi-level piece includes a full set of parts for grade 2 as well as a full set for grade 3 ensembles. Mix and match the parts as you need---perfect for mixed-ability ensembles!

Crazy Train was co-written by one of Mark Wood's main influences and favorite guitar players, Randy Rhoads, a neo-classical rock guitar player. When Wood discovered him, Rhoads was fully entrenched in the standard rock/blues style, yet had wonderful control of the flourish and esthetic of classical music in his playing. The influence was perfect for Mark Wood, who was an up-and-coming rock violinist at the time. For string orchestra with optional rock rhythm section parts. (5:30)

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SKU: AP.49879S

ISBN 9781470663780. UPC: 038081580807. English.

Dreams is one of the great Van Halen songs now transcribed for string orchestra. As a string player, I was enamored with Eddie Van Halen. He was a big influence on me while I was studying at Juilliard. I purposely lowered the key to A major for better playability. The tempo is brisk, yet very attainable. The upbeat and positive posture of this composition was a big attraction to me as a musician, and it was an honor for me to show great respect to the song and our string world! The play-along tracks feature my personal band! (4:35).

SKU: AP.49069S

ISBN 9781470647810. UPC: 038081567037. English.

This multi-level piece includes a full set of parts for grade 1 as well as a full set for grade 2 ensembles. Mix and match the parts as you need---perfect for mixed-ability ensembles!

Hunters of Avatar by Mark Wood captures the energy of new string players, filled with awe and fire, depicted by incorporating body movements, stomping, and shouting. Inspired by characters in the movie Avatar, orchestra musicians are conveyed as a type of string warrior. For string orchestra with optional rock rhythm section parts. (3:40)

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SKU: AP.49072

ISBN 9781470647780. UPC: 038081567006. English.

This multi-level piece includes a full set of parts for grade 1 as well as a full set for grade 2 ensembles. Mix and match the parts as you need---perfect for mixed-ability ensembles!

Representing one of Mark Wood's favorite places to visit, Arizona Sun was inspired by the sheer beauty and power of the American southwest, specifically that of the Grand Canyon State. The work is in the key of A major, and based on a traditional blues progression that can be found in early rock and roll. Arizona Sun features two sections that allow the players to improvise. For string orchestra with optional rock rhythm section parts. (3:00)

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SKU: AP.49011

ISBN 9781470645304. UPC: 038081565309. English.

Each section of the string orchestra gets featured in Jim Palmer's Holiday String-Along. Written like a sing-along, this arrangement features Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Frosty the Snowman, Up on the Housetop, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Students will enjoy playing the melodies while the audience may choose to sing along. This piece will surely be a holiday concert favorite! (4:00).

SKU: AP.49053

ISBN 9781470647865. UPC: 038081567082. English.

The traditional bolero is a moderately slow dance in triple meter which originated in late-18th century Spain. Since then it has spread to other countries and become transformed in the process. The Cuban bolero became a bit faster in tempo and duple in meter. In the U.S. it became a staple of competitive ballroom dancing, even faster and in 4/4 time. Maurice Ravel's Boléro for orchestra harkens back to the slower Spanish dance in three. Wood's Bolero by Mark Wood, on the other hand, focuses on the American version but maintains elements of the dance's origins and first iterations. For string orchestra with optional rock rhythm section parts. (3:10)

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SKU: AP.49053S

ISBN 9781470647872. UPC: 038081567099. English.

The traditional bolero is a moderately slow dance in triple meter which originated in late-18th century Spain. Since then it has spread to other countries and become transformed in the process. The Cuban bolero became a bit faster in tempo and duple in meter. In the U.S. it became a staple of competitive ballroom dancing, even faster and in 4/4 time. Maurice Ravel's Boléro for orchestra harkens back to the slower Spanish dance in three. Wood's Bolero by Mark Wood, on the other hand, focuses on the American version but maintains elements of the dance's origins and first iterations. For string orchestra with optional rock rhythm section parts. (3:10)

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SKU: AP.49071S

ISBN 9781470648183. UPC: 038081567310. English.

Ride the Wind by Mark Wood showcases how pop/rock music fits perfectly with orchestras. The song starts with tremolo building into the downbeat---from a light breeze to a strong wind blowing and flying in the air. The middle section adds arpeggios and solos for the first violin, building up to a key change finale. This composition features soaring melodies and rockin' cellos and bass! For string orchestra with optional rock rhythm section parts. (2:40)

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SKU: AP.49071

ISBN 9781470648176. UPC: 038081567303. English.

Ride the Wind by Mark Wood showcases how pop/rock music fits perfectly with orchestras. The song starts with tremolo building into the downbeat---from a light breeze to a strong wind blowing and flying in the air. The middle section adds arpeggios and solos for the first violin, building up to a key change finale. This composition features soaring melodies and rockin' cellos and bass! For string orchestra with optional rock rhythm section parts. (2:40)

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SKU: AP.49068

ISBN 9781470647827. UPC: 038081567044. English.

This multi-level piece includes a full set of parts for grade 2 as well as a full set for grade 3 ensembles. Mix and match the parts as you need---perfect for mixed-ability ensembles!

String Thang by Mark Wood is based on the twelve-bar blues. The blues has deep roots in American history, developed out of the work songs and chants of African-American slaves. The Great Migration of the first half of the 20th century saw freed slaves and their descendants move to northern and eastern parts of the U.S., taking their music with them. The blues took on different forms; in turn it helped to create rock, jazz, hip-hop, and other popular genres. A twelve-bar blues uses a repeating chord progression which allows musicians to express themselves creatively with each recurrence. If anything defines the blues, it is the use of blue notes---pitches that don't usually belong in a given key---and elements of improvisation. String Thang uses both blue notes in the main tune and the solo violin's part, as well as improvisational principles in the solo. For string orchestra with optional rock rhythm section parts. (2:45)

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SKU: AP.49462

ISBN 9781470650261. UPC: 038081571041. English.

This arrangement of The Prince of Denmark March, or Trumpet Voluntary, provides the perfect setting for advocacy and striving for excellence since it is so recognizable. Three different versions of the final 8 bars, containing incorrect notes, are included. Each version contains an increasing percentage of correct pitches. Each represents a different letter grade. Play all four versions and then explain to parents and administration that the A+, 100% correct version is what we do every day in orchestra. All sections play the melody in this piece, still providing a solid musical setting in a novelty piece. Audience members are sure to recognize it which makes it perfect for finding errors. Along with the real music for the final 8 bars, three other versions are included. The first version has 80% of the correct notes and 20% incorrect. The next has 90% correct notes and 10% incorrect. The next has 95% correct notes and 5% incorrect. The final, real version has 100% correct notes. The 100% version should be played first for the audience explaining this version would get an A+ in an academic setting. Then play the 80% or B- version, then the 90% or A- Version, and then the 95% A version. Then explain to parents and administration that the only version that is acceptable is the 100% version and that is what we do every day in orchestra. This provides a perfect advocacy moment to discuss the benefits of music education with parents and a tangible explanation of striving for excellence to parents and students. Includes an educational packet with each part that features technical exercises, history, theory, composition, and more. Correlated to Sound Innovations, Book 1, Level 5. (2:00).