Youth String Orchestra

Fresh, flowing, and beautiful best describe this new composition from Yukiko Nishimura. She sets out to express the feeling of joy at the coming of spring. The piece is lush, then light, introspective...

Think of a magnificent entrance to a city or castle, such as the fictitious Camelot. This is the impression composer Larry Clark is trying to convey with this strong, new piece for strings. Based upon...

A heartfelt ballad from popular composer Bill Calhoun, In a Quiet Place is the perfect vehicle to teach expressive, emotional playing. It was written to pay tribute to his musical mentor. This simply...

As the title implies, there is a constant underpinning rhythmic drive in this piece from popular composer Sean O'Loughlin. The piece is based on a recurring four note motive that is the force that pus...

Adapted for string orchestra from the popular concert band work, this arrangement begins as a soft and majestic statement and builds to a soaring conclusion. The legato melody against staccato harmony...

The title of this piece, Le Printemps, is French for the springtime. This piece brings images of springtime to the listener's mind. The rhythmic pattern that begins in the bass and works its way up to...

Bud Woodruff presents The Cat Is in the Kitchen, a tongue-in-cheek style piece with jazz influences that students enjoy playing. This quirky piece is designed to help students successfully navigate pl...

Matt Turner creates a light feel with catchy melodies in his composition, Pioneer Hoedown. This spirited piece conjures the images and sounds of barn and prairie dances of the yesteryears.

Peter Terry's The Lightning Catcher celebrates youth and the mysteries of summer nights. The wonder of lightning bugs and the hours spent chasing, catching, and releasing them back are childhood stapl...

The title, Live On, by Larry Clark, is taken from Chrissie Pinney's poem about grief and loss. The piece is meant to depict the personality of Linda Mann, to whom it is dedicated. The opening is poign...

Kathryn Griesinger builds the forceful minor theme of Centrifuge on a repeating motif of rotating eighth notes. Based on the scientific principle of centripetal force, this piece offers a vortex of ex...

Alan Lee Silva's Northwestern Skies is lyrical and fresh, with his signature open and expressive style. Young string orchestras will sound rich and full with this sweeping composition.

The title of Carl Strommen's piece, Tum Balalaika, is best known as a Russian-Jewish folk/love/riddle song. Loosely translated, tum means noise, and Balalaika is a Russian stringed instrument characte...

As part of a collaboration between students and composer, Sean O'Loughlin, Dark Dreams is a dark and mysterious piece that utilizes techniques such as tremolo and pizzicato. Following a slow and myste...

A wonderful and very accessible arrangement of the hit party anthem by The Black Eyed Peas. Drum Set part.