Music for Strings

A Joyous Celebration (Alfred Publications, String Orchestra with Timpani, Grade 2.5) - with its bright, hopeful melody and infectious rhythms - is the perfect piece to open or close your concert, or to program for any celebratory occasion. Optimistic harmonies and recurring syncopations in the opening section give way to broad, expansive strokes in a brief, contrasting section. A fortissimo climax leads to the welcome return of the jubilant opening theme. The joyful music drives to a sparkling finish, conveying the feeling that anything is possible!

To learn more about Watson's music and activities, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

2017-2018 Belwin and Highland-Etling Orchestra New Releases

A Joyous Celebration

Secret Agent Sugar Plum (String Orchestra, Alfred Publications, Grade 2.5)
Have the cookies left out on Christmas Eve mysteriously vanished? Does it seem like the nutcracker and toy soldier figurines have moved by themselves overnight? Are you experiencing strange visions of holiday confections dancing in your head? There’s only one operative with the right skill set for holiday capers like these: Secret Agent Sugar Plum of the Holiday Sweets Division of WinterPol!

This clever holiday "mash up" arrangement for string orchestra and percussion fuses themes from Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" (from The Nutcracker) with classic spy music idioms, all set to a driving rock beat. Sure to be a player and audience favorite in your holiday concert!

To learn more, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

Secret Agent Sugar Plum (String Orchestra, Percussion)

String or Full orchestra, with Soloists (Wingert-Jones, Grade 1.5, with Grade 3 soloists). The "cool department" is (of course) the MUSIC department! In this fun piece for optional full or string orchestra with soloists you and your musicians will show the audience why! Accompanied by playable ensemble parts written in a breezy, swing jazz style, the more challenging solo parts include players from each instrument family: clarinet (woodwind), trumpet (brass), violin (string), and percussion (snare drum with brushes). The infectious, tuneful melody is guaranteed to make this piece a toe-tapping hit with players and audience alike.

In the Cool Department

String orchestra with optional piano (Wingert-Jones, Grade 2). From it's effervescent main theme to its graceful contrasting theme, this well-crafted concert work will have your ensemble singing with classical elegance! While the sound and style evoke the 18th-century, the writing is very approachable by younger performers. 

Festive Intrada is the perfect piece to lend an air of excitement and sophistication to your program for concert, contest, or special occasion. 

See www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

Festive Intrada

String orchestra, with optional piano (Wingert-Jones, Grade 2). Imagine that, at least in the mind of a child, playing the driedl game at Hanukkah is more than a game - it's and adventure! Strategy is plotted, risks are taken, the battle is on. That is the premise of this epic, rhythmically charged setting of the beloved Hanukkah tune, "S'vivon" (The Dreidl).

Visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

Dreidl Adventure (String Orchestra)

String orchestra with timpani (Wingert-Jones, Grade 2). The Days and Knights of Arundel paints a musical portrait of one of the most famous medieval castles in England. Established in the 11th-century on the River Arun in the south of England, during the reign of William the Conqueror, Arundel's imposing stone walls and towering "keep" have served over the centuries to project the crown's might to subjects and would-be invaders. 

A stately opening theme, in 5/4, represents Arundel's Gothic facade and the noblemen and knights who have passed through her gates. The contrasting material of the middle section (m. 52) suggest the ghosts that legend says haunt Arundel. A transition back to a heightened version of the opening theme returns the focus to Arundel's grandeur for a dramatic close. Available in SmartMusic.

TO learn more, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

Days And Knights Of Arundel

Commissioned by the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, Donald Spieth, music director and premiered April 8, 2000. Intense and relentless, elements of late-Renaissance/Baroque music merge with set theory in this very accessible, yet contemporary piece. 

Finale score/parts available from the composer. To learn more, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

LVCO Concert

Declaration

Movement 2 of the Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra. This peaceful, serene movement is a brief songlike prayer for solo trumpet with quiet, lush strings and spare winds. First performed by the Temple University Symphony Orchestra, Luis Biava, Music Director, with trumpet soloist Terell Stafford (Oct 2001, Academy of Music, Philadelphia). Finale score/parts available from the composer. A trumpet/organ transcription of this 2nd movement (entitled "Prayer") is also available.

Academy Concert

Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra, Movement 2 ("Calmo, freely")

Movement 3 from the Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra. Although Neo-Romantic in mood, this showpiece for trumpet and orchestra acknowledges Baroque concerti practices as well as stylistic elements of popular music such as "be-bop" jazz and dance rhythms. First performed by the Temple University Symphony Orchestra, Luis Biava, Music Director, with trumpet soloist Terell Stafford (Oct 2001, Academy of Music, Philadelphia). Finale score/parts available from the composer.

Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra, Movement 3 ("Allegro assai")

Just Add Music provides the notes and rhythms, but no tempo, character, dynamics, or articulations. Those missing items are the “music” that you and your students pencil in to make this piece your own! 

Perhaps students will choose a brisk march tempo or an easy-going moderato. The introduction could begin boldly like a fanfare or start softly then build. Which do you prefer for the accompaniment notes: charming legatos or light staccatos? It’s all up to you!

All the notes and rhythms you need for a great concert selection are included in this recipe for hands-on learning and creativity...Just Add Music!

Alfred Music, Sound Innovations Series, Grade 1. To learn more, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

Just Add Music (String Orchestra, Grade 1)

Musically transport your audience to the days of poodle skirts, greased back hair and leather jackets with this fun, yet playable, piece in the style of 1950’s rock and roll. A characteristic walking bass part, approachable syncopations, and an optional drum set part add to the rhythmic flair. Rosin up your bow because it’s time to rock!

Wingert-Jones, Grade 1. To learn more, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

Rockin' Rosin

Scott Watson has composed for concert, radio, and theater and received recognition for his work from ASCAP, the American Composers Forum, the American Music Center and others.

Watson's music for band is published primarily by Alfred Publications, for whom he an exclusive composer for the Challenger Series. Other music for concert band is published by Wingert-Jones Publications, TRN, C. L. Barnhouse, Hal Leonard, Concert Works Unlimited (a division of Shawnee Press, now distributed by Hal Leonard), and Jon Ross Music. His string/orchestra music is published by Wingert-Jones Publications Publications, and his chamber music is published by Trillenium Music Company.

About Watson's music, The Instrumentalist says "outstanding...with beautiful melodies and interesting harmonies" (Mark Hosler, 2004), Percussive Notes says "written with supreme craft" (Cort McClaren, 1993), the Allentown Morning Call says "Watson exhibited a great deal of skill in managing the resources of the orchestra...a very well-crafted piece...he will very likely become a force to be reckoned with" (Philip A. Metzger, 2000), and PMEA News says "Watson skillfully transforms his zest for life into his own brand of unique musical exuberance. His scoring for winds, brass, and percussion is excellent" (Kenneth Laudermilch, 1998). His music for band has several times been named to Bandworld Top 100 and Japan Band Clinic Yamaha Recommends 100 Pieces for Band listings. Recent projects include Youth/Student Concert performances of his Aesop's Fables by the Allentown Band, with dance choreographed by Repertory Dance Theater, as well as commissions by MusicAlliance Honor Band Camp (Cleveland, Ohio) made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Lehigh County (Pennsylvania) Bandmasters Association, Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association (Spring 2007, concert band and chorus); an American Composers Forum Continental Harmony project commission, Magic Valley, (2004, concert band); Figurations (for winds and percussion), commissioned by the West Chester University Wind Ensemble, Kenneth Laudermilch, Director; Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, for the Temple University Symphony Orchestra, Luis Biava conductor and Terell Stafford, trumpet soloist; and Hymn and Declaration, commissioned by the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, Donald Spieth, Director. Watson has been pleased and honored to serve as guest conductor and adjudicator at various band festivals as well.

Watson teaches instrumental and elective music in the Parkland School District (Allentown, PA), and serves as adjunct professor teaching music education/music technology courses for Villanova University, Cairn University, and Central Connecticut State University and Applied Composition for Valley Forge Christian College. His book, Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity, focuses on project-based, creative music learning facilitated by technology, and is published by Oxford University Press.

Music for Strings

Dr. Scott Watson