The legend of Excalibur is an exciting tale that captivates young minds. King Arthur's sword, Excalibur, emerges from the waters, followed by a sword dance. The mysterious theme reappears before a thrilling finale. Written for advanced and elementary players, it's a fantastic piece for a string festival or an advanced orchestra.
For String Orchestra Grade 3 & 1.5 (advanced and optional elementary strings)
As the story of Excalibur unfolds, it effortlessly transports its listeners to a world of magic, chivalry, and the quest for the ultimate power. The opening scene sets the tone with a sense of mystery and foreboding as the legendary sword of King Arthur, Excalibur, emerges from the depths of the waters. A sword dance follows, with each movement evoking vivid images of the clashing of weapons and the resounding echoes of clashing armour. The mysterious theme returns in a scintillating manner, adding to the suspense and intrigue of the story before reaching a thrilling finale that leaves the listeners on the edge of their seats.
This work has been written for both advanced and elementary players, with the intention of delivering a fabulous conclusion to a string festival. It is a piece that can be appreciated by all music lovers, regardless of their age or experience. Even just an advanced orchestra can produce a powerful and captivating performance of this masterpiece.
For String Orchestra Grade 3 & 1.5 (advanced and optional elementary strings)
Lords of the Loch is a festival piece for string orchestra, quartet, and optional string ensemble. It's inspired by Finlaggan, a Scottish loch with islands once ruled by lords known for producing and exporting harps.
For String Orchestra(s) Grades 1, 3.5 & 4
The Iching, a series of texts created by Emperor Zhou in the 9th century BC China, helps interpret thoughts and dreams. Its orchestral representation features an energetic section that paints a vibrant life in ancient China and concludes with thrilling cascades of repeated sixteenth notes.
Port Fairy and the Twelve Apostles are two of Australia's most scenic places. The Gentle Boats at Port Fairy plays Irish music, while Storm over the Twelve Apostles depicts the fury of Mother Nature on the stone formations by the southern coast.
Daniel Steibelt (1765-1823) composed elegant pieces that embody the Classical period's poise and vivacity. His piece includes an Andante section with beautiful melodies and an Allegro con brio section that presents a fun challenge for students. The E minor middle section highlights the first violins' talent and is perfect for String Orchestra Grade 2.
1. Andante
2. Allegro con brio
Ideal for a festival orchestra with players at different levels, this piece is based on the medieval melody "L'Homme Arme", depicting a sword-wielding warrior. The middle section features a violin solo as a lullaby reflecting the armed man's war experiences. The final section celebrates the armed man walking in the light of peace and liberty with the South African song "Simbayama".
For 4 string orchestras and untuned percussion - Grade 3.5, 2, 1.5 & 1
These two South American-inspired tangos feature chromatic scales, harmonics, syncopated rhythms, and a range of textures. The main tunes and accompaniments are easy to play and share within the ensemble. Cello plays a high A.
Featuring Tango del Tucan and Tango de Tijuana
This piece gradually expands harmony from a unison note, highlighting interesting texture. Younger musicians learn dissonance through gentle tonal clashes, while elementary players explore different bow speeds and lengths. It's a great introduction to the power of a string orchestra.
For String Orchestra Grade 1
