Sandra Dackow, a native of Elmwood Park (East Patterson), New Jersey, holds Bachelor and Master degrees as well as the PhD from the Eastman School of Music. She has directed bands and orchestras in the public schools of Glen Rock and East Brunswick, New Jersey. She has served as Supervisor of Music for the Ridgewood, New Jersey, public schools and as conductor of the Ridgewood High School Orchestra. Dr. Dackow is a guest conductor and clinician in many states and Canada. Formerly on the faculty of Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania where she directed the orchestra and chaired the string division, she is currently director of the Brandeis University Orchestra in Massachusetts and of the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra in New Jersey. Primarily a violinist, she is active as an orchestral and chamber musician. Ask Dr. Dackow a question on the Ludwig Ask the Experts page.

String Orchestra

All arrangements include a third violin (viola treble clef) part and a rehearsal piano part.

Easy

All parts remain in first position (basses may use some half position). Any extended fingerings are marked and additional courtesy accidentals are provided. The keys of C, G, and D majors are used. All parts are bowed and additional verbal instructions are provided when necessary.

Intermediate

First violin parts require shifts into third position, with possible extensions into fourth. Bass and cello parts may require first through fourth position, often with alternate small-note options for members of section who have not yet learned to shift. Second violin and viola parts remain in first position. Any extended fingerings are marked and additional courtesy accidentals are provided. All parts are bowed and additional verbal instructions are provided when necessary.

Full Orchestra

All arrangements include a third violin (viola treble clef) part and a rehearsal piano part. All full orchestra part include an optional harp part.

Easy

All parts remain in first position (basses may use some half position). Any extended fingerings are marked and additional courtesy accidentals are provided. All parts are bowed and additional verbal instructions are provided when necessary. Wind and brass parts are edited to include courtesy accidentals for most sharps, slide positions and fingerings for less familiar brass notes, alternate or unusual fingerings (R & L) for clarinets and explanations of certain enharmonic notes (D#=E flat).

Intermediate

First violin parts require shifts into third position, with possible extensions into fourth. Bass and cello parts may require first through fourth position, often with alternate small-note options for members of section who have not yet learned to shift. Second violin and viola parts remain in first position. Any extended fingerings are marked and additional courtesy accidentals are provided. All parts are bowed and additional verbal instructions are provided when necessary. Wind and brass parts are edited to include many courtesy accidentals, fingerings and slide positions for less familiar brass notes, alternate or unusual fingerings (R and L) marked for clarinets and explanations of certain enharmonics.