Strings On The Housetop (FJH)

By Brian Balmages

Feature every section of your orchestra in this swashbuckling piece! Three distinct "pirate" themes are given to the violins, violas, and cellos/basses to allow all players a chance to shine. All seafaring melodies stay in first position with minimal low-two finger patterns and lots of doubling for a big, full sound. Each section takes an adventurous turn into new tonalities before joining forces at the end for a triumphant finale! (Grade 1.5, Dur 2:40)

Composer: Rick Hirsch

Publisher: FJH Music Company

Series: FJH String Orchestra

Stock Code: ST6471

This spectacular arrangement features four movements from Tchaikovsky's famous Album for the Young. Opening with the endearing Morning Prayer, the piece then moves into the lighthearted waltz, The Hurdy-Gurdy Man. The beautiful Sweet Dream sets the stage for the delightful last movement, March of the Wooden Soldiers. Remarkably faithful to the original while also quite accessible to younger students! (6:30) https://www.youtube.com/embed/OWyCCVwxY9A

Commissioned by the National String Project Consortium, this gorgeous lyrical work can be performed alone as an intermediate level piece, or with multi-level supplemental parts (available separately) for beginning and developing string students. Orchestrated to celebrate inclusion and diversity, the multi-level option is designed to sound far "greater than" the intermediate version alone. Not your traditional festival orchestra piece by any means. (Grade 3, Dur 5:40)

Voyage of the Dragon Armada (The Maritime Expeditions of Zheng He) by Loest (FJH)

By Leo Delibes

Arranged Robert D McCashin

Grade 2.5