These works are perfect for the beginner string ensemble player. They continue the earlier publication titled "A Dozen Dazzlers." They feature unison, simple parts and call-response writing and prepare the players for the greater demands of a full-string orchestra. All parts have been meticulously crafted for ease of playing and to focus on essential ensemble skills such as pizzicato, legato, staccato, and harmonics. These attractive pieces will ignite the students' imaginations.
Embarking on the journey from being a beginner to playing in a string orchestra is an experience that is both exhilarating and rewarding. It is a wonderful voyage that requires persistence, dedication, and hard work.
These pieces are a perfect starting point for beginner ensemble players. They continue the earlier publication titled "A Dozen Dazzlers." The pieces include unison, simple parts, and call-and-response writing to help you prepare for the greater demands of playing in a full-string orchestra.
All the parts of these pieces have been meticulously crafted for near-beginner players. This means you can easily concentrate on essential ensemble skills while learning to play the violin or any other string instrument. These pieces expose you to various techniques such as pizzicato, legato, staccato, and harmonics. These techniques will help you develop your skills and prepare you for more complex pieces.
Furthermore, as you practice and play these attractive and evocative pieces, your imagination will run wild, and you will find yourself transported to different worlds and emotions. You will experience the joy of creating beautiful music and the satisfaction of seeing your hard work pay off.
This music piece is based on an old English hymn that depicts a journey to hope, titled To the Palace of Light. It has a solemn beginning, turbulent middle, and faster, jig-like ending. Elements of the hymn can be heard throughout, making it a great choice to end a concert or festival.
For double string orchestra, grades 2 & 4
The Midnight Serenade starts with faint calls of the night. The haunting melody is shared throughout the piece over a waltz-like accompaniment. Dark Train is a dynamic composition based on a simple three-note ostinato, with whistle effects that excite younger players.
1. Midnight Serenade
2. Dark Train
For String Orchestra Grade 1
This is a shorter version of a musical piece for string orchestra, based on a longer version for massed strings. The piece is inspired by Samuel Coleridge's poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", which tells the story of a ship at sea that experiences misfortune after an albatross is killed. The work expresses feelings of loss and grace. The faster section of the piece depicts the ship being tossed around by the rough ocean.
For String Orchestra Level 4
Debussy was inspired by mysticism and exotic items. He combined Gregorian chant with Eastern influences in "Funeral Urn" and showcased his unique style with "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair". Students will enjoy the challenging rhythms and harmonies in these works.
1. Funeral Urn
2. The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
For String Orchestra Grade 4
The music is a journey through the Mists of England, the lush green fields of Ireland, Wales's sublime beauty, and Scotland's invigorating highlands. The tunes and textures are vibrant, wistful, and unforgettable, making them perfect for any performance. Your players will be humming them long after the rehearsal is over.
Listen to #1 – Mists of the Winter Solstice
Listen to #2 – Road to County Derry
La Tempesta di Mare is the overture to Salieri's opera, Cesare in Farmacusa. It narrates the journey of the young Julius Caesar as he sails through a treacherous storm to Farmacusa, near Sicily. The plot is filled with pirates, gypsy lovers, and, of course, Roman gods, providing much entertainment for audiences of that time.
