Your favorite classical themes about winter and night, neatly combined into one festive piece of winter concert music! Bookended with the familiar strains of Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik, this arrangement weaves through traditional seasonal favorites like Vivaldi's "Winter" from The Four Seasons, Holst's In the Bleak Midwinter, and themes from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The unchanging tempo and simplified rhythms allow young players to seamlessly play through some of history's greatest masterworks. Includes viola parts in treble clef and violin 2 parts in alto clef for flexible ensembles.
This simple yet regal-sounding processional march from Handel's opera Scipione is also the regimental march of the British Grenadier Guards. This confidence-building arrangement for developing orchestra stays in first position, doubles violin 2 and viola, and provides interesting parts in every section.
In this brilliant Allegro, Handel introduces listeners to the energy and excitement surrounding the title character of his 1738 opera Serse (Xerxes), the king of Persia. This arrangement is transposed to D major and provides excellent opportunities for young string players to explore basic Baroque bowing styles within a simple imitative texture where motivic material is distributed evenly among all sections. Includes Viola parts in treble clef, and Violin 2 parts in alto clef for flexible ensembles.
The joyous nature of this original work for string orchestra is mainly achieved with an infectious tied rhythm pattern. A contrasting middle section features bright pizzicato against a bass line before catapulting back into the jubilant melody once again. An excellent choice for festival or concert programs any time of year.
This music features strummed rhythms, folk-inspired melodies, syncopation, and an exciting accelerando to the end. In addition to having both marcato and legato passages, every section gets to play the main theme. Evoke colorful images of rural old-time Appalachia for your audience with this lively concert selection!
A dramatic concert overture with a focus on loure bowing, part independence, and approachable syncopation. The ominous D-minor tonality and the sweeping cinematic melodies will enchant orchestras and audiences, while teachers will appreciate the important skills this piece reinforces.
This pair of contrasting melodies depicts the ethereal beauty of Irish legends and landscapes. The Monastery at Kilmacduagh is a plaintive air inspired by the seventh-century ruins in County Galway, while Fort of the Rounded Hills derives its name from Doonagore Castle near the coastal village of Doolin in County Clare. The lively 6/8 jig features a solo violin part that could also be played on the pennywhistle.
Capture the essence of Charles Dickens' snowy London with this lively fantasy of traditional English carols. Set in lilting 6/8 with several bright modulations, this approachable setting includes the timeless melodies I Saw Three Ships; The Holly and the Ivy and Here We Come A-Wassailing.
Take a musical journey through a deep forest lined with towering trees! This mysterious work for beginning string players evokes feelings of enchantment and intrigue. The melody is passed to every section, and easy notes and rhythms showcase developing playing skills through an exciting theme.
The fast and furious pace of this fiery work never slows down, bringing the energy and spirit of a hoedown that ventures into a few unconventional rhythms and syncopated accompaniments. Exciting!
Ancient Chinese astronomers named the planet Mars "Fire Star" based on its reddish hue. This original work for developing string orchestra explores the enigmatic nature of this planet with a dark minor mode and approachable first-position patterns. An urgent staccato rhythmic motif alternates with mysterious legato themes as the ominous melody is passed to every section.
A multi-movement suite of familiar holiday tunes for the very first winter concert! These open-string pieces for beginning orchestra use alternating pizzicato and arco to explore a variety of simple rhythms with easy two- and three-part harmony. The joyful piano and percussion parts fill in the harmonies, and are available as a free MP3 download from the publisher website. A complete concert, all in one suite!
A quiet opening hints at a growing storm as a powerful melody rises through driving rhythms and a syncopated motif in B minor. As the intensity grows, icy droplets fall in a pizzicato section, leading to turbulent winds of rising and falling melodic lines between upper and low strings. The forceful melody weaves through every section of the orchestra. Exciting!
The Isle of Anglesey (Welsh: Ynys Mon) lies just off the coast of Wales. This island contains the largest seaport bringing passengers to and from Ireland. In this charming arrangement, two traditional Welsh and Irish airs are combined and woven throughout the orchestra, bridging the waters between these beautiful lands.
This fiery and epic piece for developing string players reinforces strong marcato bowing and features rich harmonies and simple imitation between the high and low strings. For an added cinematic flavor, optional percussion parts are included. The powerful melodic material is given to all sections for a dramatic concert selection. A must-have for any string orchestra library!
Developing players will love this thrilling piece that resembles a video game soundtrack. This fast-moving, courageous piece allows every section to play the exciting melody while learning to navigate the key of D minor. A worthy concert or contest selection!
Sun, sand, and song! Take a trip to Jamaica via this catchy tune with optional Latin percussion. This cheerful piece features melody parts for all, 4/4 time, key of G throughout, and invokes a bright Caribbean feel. Sure to delight players, teachers, and the audience! Includes violin 3 (viola in treble clef) and alternate viola (violin 2 in alto clef) parts for flexibility.
Hidden in the mystical Himalayan Mountains is a mysterious world of legend and lore. Mystic Mountain features a cinematic landscape of swirling legato melodies. Every section gets to play the main melody using colorful articulations such as pizzicato, tremolo, and trills.
According to Greek mythology, Orion was a mighty hunter often portrayed as an archer. In this original work, students also get to wield their bows as they perform a bold, dramatic melody with bow lifts! A great piece to work on counting in 3/4 time with alternating marcato and legato sections for tone development. Scored with doubled violin 2/viola and cello/bass, even young ensembles can create a big, impressive sound.
A unique twist on Vivaldi's "Spring" from The Four Seasons. The spirited themes are reimagined to weave solo melodies from the second and third movements into one energetic work. A perfect selection for your spring concert or as a follow-up to Inverno!
A stately piece with a Renaissance feel depicting a dark and mysterious castle lost in the shadows of time. Developing orchestra students will explore D minor tonalities, practicing F-natural finger patterns with a regal melody that cleverly avoids any B flats.
One of Beethoven's best-known works, the powerful Symphony No. 5 ("Fate") features emphatic motifs and lyrical contrasts. Set in the original key of C minor, this excellent arrangement of the Allegro con brio first movement effectively uses every section of the string orchestra to capture the passion and spirit of the original work, supported by an optional timpani part.
This traditional Ethiopian folk song is an ancient warrior cry. The pounding of the drums stirs up a sense of anticipation and bravery - a call to war heard in the driving percussion. In addition to playing double-stops and heavy accented rhythms, players will get to practice reading music in cut time. Powerful!