
The Irish Blessing by Stephen Chin
The Irish Blessing has been an inspiration for generations. This three-movement work for strings, SSAA choir, and optional bagpipes will make an impact on your audience.
Your beginner string orchestra will love these expressive pieces. They're mostly composed using pentatonic scales, making them easy to learn and play. Enjoy the sustained chords in "Sleeping Pandas" and the fun acrobatics in "Acrobats".
Get ready for an unforgettable experience with your elementary string orchestra as they embark on a musical journey with these enchanting pieces. These works are crafted almost entirely using pentatonic scales, which are known for their simplicity and elegance. Your young players will be captivated by the mesmerizing beauty of the sustained chords in "Sleeping Pandas" and the playful musical acrobatics in "Acrobats". These pieces will surely bring out the best in your young musicians and leave a lasting impression on the audience.
The Irish Blessing has been an inspiration for generations. This three-movement work for strings, SSAA choir, and optional bagpipes will make an impact on your audience.
Beijing's summer gardens are a wondrous place for a nocturnal stroll. "Jasmine Nights" and "Dragon Fire" are two musical pieces that capture the essence of the city's beauty and excitement.
1. Jasmine Nights
2. Dragon Fire
For String Orchestra Grade 1.5
This piece uses dynamic change and harmonics to evoke the beauty and mystery of the stratosphere.
Dedicated to Stephen's wonderful wife, Ann. Grade 3.
Australian summer holidays are magical! "Catamarans" captures the graceful movement of sailing vessels with wistful melodies. "Beach Party" is lively, depicting fun in the sand with driving quavers and unique textures. Both pieces feature harmonics and shifting in the first violins.
Featuring two pieces: Catamarans and Beach Party
Originally written for wind ensemble and later arranged for pianoforte, these charming movements have been carefully placed to give the sense of a fully integrated work. Some elements of this work are similar in vein to Mozart's famous "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik." Advanced intermediate players will enjoy the challenges of spiccato quavers, martele crotchets, measured tremolo, and lifted upbows, which are a must for developing precision and clarity in a more advanced string ensemble.
For String Orchestra Grade 3
This set of twelve short pieces is for basic orchestras and helps young musicians learn important string techniques. The pieces incorporate hissing, slapping of instruments, foot stomping, and improvisation to make playing in a string ensemble more enjoyable.
1. Pickin' 'n' Peckin'
2. Desert Nights
3. War Zone
4. Bagpipes
5. Attack of the Flying Insects
6. Raindrops
7. A Pirate's Shanty
8. Valse Enchante
9. Silk
10. Hootenanny Hoedown
11. Russian Easter Hymn
12. Surf's Up!
For String Orchestra Grade 1