This is an excellent piece for beginning strings that will bring out a strong sound and build confidence in all sections.  Using only the notes within a one-octave D scale, it features a plaintive melody in the relative minor (B minor) that can be used in several ways.  It can be performed in unison, a two-part canon or even a three-part canon.  It's a great piece to show players how far they have come!

Henry Purcell's Canon in G major is reminiscent of the more famous Pachelbel Canon.  A gently flowing triple meter lets your musicians really dig in and enjoy the many layered melodies shared through each section.

In the style of the pentatonic melodies from early America, this original work uses unisons, canon, and simple harmonic structures to achieve a sturdy, confident sound.

This resetting for string orchestra has successfully kept the composer's intent, and to a great extent, the sounds and colors of the original orchestration. While requiring some substantial string forces, it's fully approachable by quality high school groups. It consists of five connected movements based on Spanish themes. A terrific addition as a primary work for any concert!

This three-movement suite of Bizet's megahit "Carmen" is carefully arranged to work well with your high school string orchestra. Each movement is musically interesting and preserves the passion of the original score. Use the optional percussion part for added intensity.

Here's a fun medley of old English carols that have become a part of everyone's Christmas celebrations. Included are: We Wish You a Merry Christmas; Joy to the World; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; What Child Is This?; O Come, All Ye Faithful and Angels We Have Heard on High. Fun and inspirational for the players and a welcome assortment of favorite carols for the audience.

This medley of Scottish fiddle tunes is a great way to introduce younger players to the joy of fiddling.  Three classic tunes and meters are featured in this lively selection that will get the toes tapping every time it is performed.

Taken from one of Handel's celebrated keyboard works, this delightful piece is carefully arranged for strings. While offering ample challenges, it is well suited for teaching a variety of bow strokes and exploring tonal colors. Each variation changes character and features a different section of the orchestra.

A memorable main melody and its countermelody are shared by all sections. Adding the optional floor tom can help maintain a steady tempo and enhance the Native American style. Students will enjoy playing this piece!

This lighthearted arrangement, with optional piano, is a true classic and a novel selection for your next pops concert! Played at a brisk tempo, it can be a real crowd pleaser!

From its festive opening rendition of "Angels We Have Heard On High" to a peaceful "Away In a Manger" and a majestic treatment of "O Come, All Ye Faithful," this delightful mini-collection will fill your audience with yuletide cheer! This yearly favorite has been carefully edited and re-engraved to work especially well at your next holiday concert.

Christmas in the Renaissance uses three songs originating during the Renaissance: Riu, Riu, Chiu; Dadme Albricias Hijos d’Eva and Ding, Dong Merrily on High. All three songs began their lives as dances, so the music should be light and energetic. The percussion part adds to the character of the music.

This wonderful arrangement for beginning orchestra combines both Silent Night and The First Noel. Set in D major, it has been arranged so that violin, viola, and cello sections use only the D and A strings, while the bass section uses just the G and D strings. This fundamental arrangement is free of slurs and dotted rhythms yet still retains the spirit and charm of the original carols.

If you are looking for a fresh arrangement of traditional Christmas carols, this unique three-movement work will beautifully showcase all sections of your orchestra. Includes Carol of the Bells; The Holly and the Ivy; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; We Three Kings; Veni, Veni Emmanuel; Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence; Good King Wenceslas and Angels We Have Heard on High.

The twelve days from Christmas Day until January 6th are commonly known as Christmastide in the United Kingdom. Two traditional carols are selected to render this joyous time. King Wenceslas tells of a good deed done on December 26th, traditionally known as Boxing Day in England.  The other tune, Angels We Have Heard on High, makes use of overlapping music in the chorus to sing "gloria."

This traditional folksong from Quebec is remarkably similar to the Offenbach's famous Can-Can. Played at a lively tempo, this tune takes all your players up and down the D scale, gives each section a chance to shine, and even offers an opportunity for (optional) singing!

A wonderful piece for introducing (or perfecting) the Italian Baroque style.  The four movements offer an array of contrasts in dynamics, style, articulation and more.  A great selection for contest!

The French cellist Jean-Baptiste Bréval was a contemporary of Mozart and a composer remembered for his beautiful melodies. This symphony is a compilation of many of his notable themes in an accessible and well-constructed opus for full orchestra.