Youth String Orchestra

Two contrasting string works from the Classical period make for a delightful set. Though teaching younger students to play the classical style with a correct degree of lightness and bounce is not easy...

This very lush work for younger string players uses light percussion (rain stick, wind chimes, triangle, suspend cymbal-all playable by one player) and bells or piano to create an evocative soundscape...

What a way to introduce young orchestra students to the swing style! This atmospheric work depicts a Chicago gangster's private night club in small-town Indiana. Its irresistible melody, shout chorus,...

This easy string orchestra work opens mysteriously, with a quietly building chordal section leading to a more sprightly section. The fast section of the work features some surprising contemporary harm...

This very solid string arrangement of a Bach keyboard work is a great way to introduce young orchestras to the wonders of baroque counterpoint. Hash's transcription remains true to the original settin...

This is a lively dance for young string orchestra that employs various placements of accents and some asymmetric meter (7/8) to create a fascinating rhythmic scenario. After a legato contrasting middl...

This brash new work creates intensity by using various modes, including B Phrygian, and mixed meters to create a musical picture of an intense, wind-driven storm. While remaining within grade 2 techni...

Like the Spanish title, which means 'leaving

The composer has captured here in music a remarkable moonrise he experienced on a late evening walk. Melodic filagrees intertwine within the modal texture (primarily D Dorian) to create a subtle work...

A Holiday Festival is a versatile medley of three secular holiday songs. It can be performed by strings alone, with strings and percussion, with SA chorus and piano, and as an exciting finale for a co...

First composed for flute and continuo and published in 1731, this string orchestra arrangement works well for middle or high school orchestras. Musette en Rondeau reflects the pastoral charm typical o...

A superbly expressive work, this piece offers each section a chance to play the beautiful melody and is perfect for teaching phrasing. Third position notes in the first violin are cued an octave lower...

This is an arrangement of two keyboard works from Nannerl's Notebook, a book used by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) to write study pieces for his daughter, Maria Anna (known as 'Nannerl'), and to transcri...

This string arrangement of a well-loved band piece captures all of the great energy of the original, and Law's careful string treatment makes it accessible even for second year groups. Memorable melod...

Although transposed to G major from the original key of Eb, this setting of the Jupiter theme remains true to the original version. All parts are playable in first position except for the bass, which...

Combining themes from two Bartok piano pieces from his collection 'For Children

The techniques of pizzicato and quick back-and-forth imitation bring to mind a spirited table-tennis match in this unique easier string work. The rhythmic challenges this piece presents will seem fun...

This stirring, stately march from Handel's opera 'Scipione' could be a joyful introduction to baroque music for your students. The optional timpani part for two timps adds weight to this majestic work...

Working with a classic keyboard composition, the arranger has done an admirable job of making this esteemed work accessible to the young string orchestra. Use this excellent setting of a familiar piec...

The ground is covered with snow and it is a perfect time to hook up the horses to a sleigh. Snow Ride captures the enjoyment of taking a sleigh ride on a snowy day, with musical images created by an a...

Using melodic and harmonic material from two marches by G. F Handel, the arranger has created a stirring 'classical' concert opener. This fine arrangement has great musical integrity, yet is very play...

Generations is a meditative tribute to all the fathers and mothers who pass on intangible and priceless gifts to their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren... In this very original work, the c...

This lovely tune gives the listener a feeling of waking up on a sunlit spring day, with pleasant temperatures and perhaps a light breeze. As is typical of Springtime, towards the end of the piece, a s...

From the onset, the light Latin percussion in this delightful easy string work puts the mind of the listener or player squarely in the Southern Seas! All of the sections have easy but fun syncopated m...

Take your students and audience back to the late 1800's in this arrangement of a song that was very popular in its day. All of the turn of the century charm and harmonies have been retained to give an...