Sheet Music by Women Composers for String Orchestra: Artistic Excellence

Inspired by the composer's Hungarian ancestry, and reminiscent of Brahms' 'Hungarian Dances,' this major work is very attainable for advanced middle school or high school string orchestra. The violin...

Picture the matador as he waves his red cape and the crowd cheers him on! Distinguished by its Spanish influenced melodies and harmonies, this piece in 4/4 is written in D minor and E minor. Great to...

This original jig lies well under the fingers and gives everyone a fun part to play. As with most jigs, the faster, the better, and add foot stomps! (3:00)

Stir the imagination looking for dinosaur bones with the curious melodies in this kid-friendly piece! A great teaching piece as well, with easy rhythms, lifts, accents, one optional high 3rd finger in...

A moving tribute by Susan Day to the people we admire - whether it be family members, role models, or those serving our country - this piece in E minor uses easy rhythms, pizzicato, some divisi in the...

Upon hearing the words 'Big Sky Country,' one typically thinks of the western states; Montana in particular. This piece, however, depicts any place where the sky is vast, the view expansive, and the s...

In 3/4, with some pizzicato and a few slurs, the minor melodies and gypsy-like quality make 'A Gypsy's Life' a very appealing selection composed by Susan Day. The perfect piece to introduce B-flat to...

Long Journey Home, by Susan H. Day, evokes the emotions one might have as they make their way home, with feelings of sadness, uncertainty, steadiness, hope, and triumph as the music moves between mino...

This upbeat Western themed Grade 2 piece composed by Susan Day features lively melodies for all, with teaching opportunities to reinforce accents, hooked bows, pizzicato, 2 note slurs, lifts, cello di...

This lovely, solid grade 2 suite of three movements was written to spark the students' imagination about a knight's adventures, while reinforcing specific playing techniques in each movement. "Day in t...

Let Them Not be Forgotten was written as a tribute to honor fallen heroes everywhere, but specifically, the composer had in mind the firefighters of 9/11. Written in the key of G, with no accidentals,...

Perfect for festival! This lush, lyrical setting will be great for developing legato bow arms! In the great Russian tradition of composition, Canzone sotto le stelle, will be a new classic.

A beautifully fluid ballad encouraging your young band's highest musical attributes. Distinctive dissonances will bring out a most musical performance reinforcing balance, blend, and tone color. An aw...

A fitting introduction sets the stage for the gorgeous melody that interacts throughout the string ensemble. An intriguing center section develops and brings the listener back to the rich beginning th...

In the style of moto perpetuo. Enjoyable and well written for elementary school level. Simple ideas that are fun to play.

Innocent, delightful and original tunes; melodious and well written for this standard; piano optional but adds interest and is recommended if there is no bass player.

Harmonic glimpses of an Irish reel, mixed with a tarantella feel make this piece lots of fun to play. Everybody gets a go at the melody.

An excellent introduction to recognition of syncopated rhythms for young string players. The piece has a good feel and, although it sounds complicated, is quite straightforward to play.

Middle school or beginning high school. This is a fun rhythmic piece with bowed and pizzicato sections. Foot stomps add to the fun and assist in learning to feel rests. Everyone gets a turn at the mel...

It is in Moto Perpetuo style and very uncomplicated. The piece uses left-hand pizzicato.

fast down bows alternating with fast up bows and 'zigzag' bowing. It is also played legato in one bow, requiring the players to save the bow and use it evenly. The piano part covers any missing parts,...

5/4 is not a time signature that appears frequently in student repertoire, yet it gives an exciting, driving force to the music. This piece requires an edgy 'off the string' style of bowing in the acc...