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Samuel Barber's best-known work has become an icon of contemporary orchestral literature. Jamin Hoffman's arrangement now makes this landmark work accessible to intermediate-level groups with careful key and range alterations, giving your students the opportunity to play one of the most important pieces of our time. This is a must-have for every school's string library!

By the time Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) completed his 4th Symphony in 1874, he was still little known outside his native Bohemia. After applying several times for an Austrian state artist grant, he became known to Brahms, who recommended him to his publisher, Simrock. Brahms’ friendship and influence on his young friend became apparent in Dvorak’s music, but with the 8th Symphony that effect had been superseded by a strong nationalistic trait. The 3rd movement, “Allegretto Grazioso,” is based on a song from an earlier opera, and the coda in a faster tempo recalls the “Slavonic Dances.” These infectiously joyous melodies will be loved by students and audiences alike.

Cast in three sections, this powerful and dramatic tone poem for string orchestra is a musical portrait of the tragic, yet brave heroine Antigone. According to Greek mythology, her contempt of death shows her strength that leads to the destruction of the King’s house and family. Duration 6:10.

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.

American Grade 4 Standard Strings. These selections from Carmen Suite No. 2 provide a wonderful contrast for teaching and performance for grade 4 groups. The Chanson du Toreador (Toreador Song) is taken from Act II and provides the lesser known but exciting introduction before the more famous lyrical portion of the March is heard. The La Garde Montante (Children’s Chorus), taken from Act I, is light but highly energetic with its dance-like quality. Both selections are in d minor. Range requires 1st Violins to use some 3rd and 4th position - cellos use limited 4th position and some 3rd position for convenience. Key: D Minor, F Major. Duration 3:25.

Circinus is a Latin word meaning circle. And in music, a circle of organized sound is a canon. The theme of this canon weaves itself through the voices; sometimes in unison, octaves, as a duet, a trio, or in imitation until it completes the circle and ends where it began.

A beautifully fluid ballad encouraging your string orchestra's highest musical attributes. Distinctive dissonances will bring out a most musical performance reinforcing balance, blend, and tone colour. An awe inspiring sound, Contemplation has a place in every concert. Duration: 2:00. Luscious!

Inspired by the illness that scientists experienced while exploring the tomb of the boy-pharaoh Tutankhamun in the 1920s, this work musically traces the history from the discovery of the tomb through the mysterious curse. Both intense and enjoyable, this delightful work will capture your students' imagination. Includes optional percussion. \Highly recommended!

This exciting grade 4 piece in the contemporary style is loosely based, both melodically and harmonically, on the semitones A-Bb and E-F. Rhythmic opening and closing sections are contrasted by a lyrical central section. This piece serves as a good introduction to contemporary sounds, and will be an impressive addition to any concert program. Duration 5:00.

Written in the style of an overture, “Dreams of a Midsummer Night” is not a tone poem depicting specific actions in the play, but instead uses themes to represent characters in Shakespeare’s beloved comedy. These themes include: the acrobatic and mischievous sounds of Puck (m. 20), a peasant-like tune representing the rustics (m. 62), Bottom’s braying after his head is transformed into that of a donkey’s (m. 80), and a simple yet beautiful lover’s theme (m. 117). A hint of Debussy’s “Claire de Lune” (m. 139), adds to the passion and magic of the night.

American Grade 4.5. Hints of Gershwin run through this jazzy work with its luscious scoring and challenging rhythms. Those intimidated by flats need not apply!

American Grade 4 Standard Strings

Featuring the exquisite violin solos of Joshua Bell, this Oscar®-nominated score is one of James Newton Howard's most memorable ... packed with sensitivity and musical drama

One of Vaughan Williams' most revered works for band and orchestra is now available for string orchestra. This edition includes appropriate range and key adjustments to make this charming suite ideal for string orchestra. Includes: Seventeen Come Sunday; My Bonny Boy; Folk Songs from Somerset)

This version of the world's greatest ragtime hit features all the clever melodic lines and syncopations we've come to know and love. It's based on the entire form of Joplin's original piano solo, and designates the slow march temp he specified. Keeping a steady beat and playing with clean articulations are essential for a stylistically convincing performance

A stirring piece, this second movement of American Serenade Symphony depicts the time in which the Native Americans were struggling with the arrival of the Europeans in this land. Listen for the Native-American drums of war and the promise of battles to come! Duration: 2:35

A traditional Israeli folk song with text from the Torah, Hashivenu means “Cause Us to Return,” and is scored sensitively for strings in this stirring rendition by John Leavitt. Here's a chance to give your students the opportunity to perform and understand some meaningful, cultural music from another land. Dur: 2:40

American Grade 4 This piece will challenge and excite young players with active parts for all. Composed all in minor keys, a good lesson in accidentals.

Written in concerto grosso style, this work has great appeal to all audiences. Its rhythmic vitality and neo-Baroque style makes it a favourite. (Three movements)

This challenging arrangement of the final movement of Edward Grieg's familiar work, Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, has been skillfully penned by Robert Frost, a veteran at writing for developing strings. Moving from a rather quiet, mystical beginning to a dramatic conclusion, this arrangement contains all the exciting elements of the full orchestra version. Duration 3:00..

From the classic rock world, treat yourself and your audience to this cool medley including “Communication Breakdown,” “Immigrant Song,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Dazed and Confused” and “Rock and Roll.” Add the drumset and electric bass and bring the house down!

This inspirational finale from Candide gives you a wonderful opportunity to expose your players to one of the most enduring state works of our time.

For many years, John Caponegro's writing has been synonymous with quality concert fare that contains excellent learning material. Mist is no exception. Set in a calm, peaceful style, this work is influenced by the impressionist style. Written for grade 4 groups, Mist will be a welcome change-of-pace to any concert program. Duration 4:40

Heard in the final scenes of “Master and Commander: Far Side of the World,” this masterwork by Boccherini provides a lighthearted musical picture of a typical night in Spain's largest city, including the posting of the night watch, the uncertain steps of the late-night revelers returning home, and the changing of the guard at dawn. Dur: 10:2

A beautiful adaptation of Elgar's immortal piece by Mitchell Bender for student orchestra. American Grade 3-4

A beautiful, melodic piece that is the perfect tune to showcase the player in your orchestra with that terrific tone! Arranged for violin, viola, cello or bass solo with string orchestra accompaniment, this would also make a good small ensemble piece several players to a part.

This is the first movement of a String Symphony in four movements entitled “American Serenade.” Each movement of this work has a descriptive title which attempts to paint a picture of America from a historical perspective allowing the listener to focus on broad images from our past. The four movements are: 1) Ode to the Plains and Wild Horses Running, 2) Gathering Storms, 3) Elegy for Fallen Heroes, 4) A Nation Rising. The movement presented in this publication “1. Ode to the Open Plains and Wild Horses Running”, is drawn from the composer's love of American Folk Art, and specifically the paintings of Thomas Moran and Albert Beirstadt. The many large scale and colorful depictions of the untamed West by these great artists give a real feel for the rough hewn frontier life, and are the inspiration for this movement. The cliché of ‘Wide Open Spaces,’ and the ‘Big Sky’ are the images this music is meant to evoke as the soundtrack for whatever pictures or stories of America come to mind!

A wonderful exploration of the sonorities and orchestration techniques of the French Impressionists, this mature and fascinating work is sure to be a favorite with your advanced string orchestra. Duration: 6:00

From Copland's well-known collection for voice (accompanied by piano or orchestra), John Moss has crafted an exquisite suite of four selected movements for string orchestra. Here is a chance to program contemporary music of one of our greatest American composers, with an edition that is accessible to most groups. Includes: All the Pretty Little Horses, Ching-a-Ring Chaw, The Golden Willow Tree, and Simple Gifts. (Boosey & Hawkes)

Composer John Leavitt has adapted this string setting from his notable original work for choir. 'The One Who Makes Peace,' the beloved Jewish prayer which served as the text basis, conveys the underlying emotion that makes this work so passionate and effective. Each section of the orchestra has engaging part writing, and a short violin cadenza closed this beautiful concert selection.

American Grade 4 Standard Strings with opt. piano

Never before available for string orchestra, this unique piece will broaden your players’ skills with a variety of string effects, including tremolo, pizzicato, mutes, divisi playing and solos. Moving from the original keys to the string-friendly keys of D minor and G major brings out the best possible string sound. You’ll want to play this one again and again. Duration: 4:50

The engaging theme from this piano classic is instantly recognizable and your students will love its dark, forboding quality. Chromatic triads against a prominent bass line are trademarks of Rachmaninoff and his distinctive, late Romantic style. Dur: 4:00

The “Late Quartets” of Beethoven have been considered unreachable for student musicians, and yet, by changing key and simplifying certain passages, this arrangement makes one of Beethoven’s most famous and exuberant quartet movements available for your students! This piece is fun to play and fun to watch as Beethoven playfully bounces the melodies between players like a game until he interrupts with a totally unexpected pizzicato passage, only to bring you back to the game again. Leonard Bernstein drew the ire of critics when he arranged this presto for the Vienna Philharmonic, but the players and the audience loved it! (3:50)

Aaron Copland's talents also crossed into the film world with this score for the 1948 movie based on John Steinbeck's novel. Copland's gift of creating a fresh, uniquely American sound for the orchestra is again a disctinct part of this muiscal score. Film excerpts included in this edition are: Morning on the Ranch; Dream March; Walk to the Bunkhouse; Happy Ending.

Rarely does a work of such exceptional beauty leave such a lasting impression on the classical music world as this one has. Although scored with younger players in mind, this arrangement preserves all of the harmonic nuances and breathless emotion of the original. Violins, violas and cellos share the melody. A perfect introduction to the music of Vaughan Williams!

Grade 4 groups will enjoy this well-arranged piece from Reinhold Gliere's classic ballet The Red Poppy. Using a theme and variation form, John Caponegro has included all the tempo changes that are idiomatic to this characteristic dance. Three optional percussion parts are included. Duration 3:15.

The Russlan overture is emblematic of the founding of the Russian nationalist school of composition. Arranged for your young string orchestra, careful attention has been paid to retain the original wind materials and string articulations, while all parts are playable in first and third positions. The practical application of scale exercises abounds in this orchestral masterwork! Duration: 4:50

Klezmer music is especially suited for strings and piano. This vibrant piece with expressive melodic lines transforms into an up-tempo dance that continually gains momentum. Colors are added through the use of arco and pizzicato glissandi, tremolo, snap pizzicato and sul ponticello. This infectious tune works well in concert, festival or pops programs and will be a favorite for the musicians and audience alike. Duration: 2:30

Actually a theatre work written for the opening of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Bernstein's Mass includes this captivating melody that has emerged as the stand-out song from this monumental production. Robert Longfield has created an outstanding rendition for strings. Includes solo part for flute or violin. (Boosey & Hawkes)

The music of J.S. Bach never ceases to impress with its artistry and technical mastery. This grade 4 string orchestra arrangement gives players another avenue by which to explore the subtleties and sheer beauty of Bach's musical genius. Duration 3:45.

American Grade 4 Standard Strings

Some of the earliest tunes that we learn as children are rounds and canons. This piece takes it to a whole new level. One of the most expressive piano and violin sonatas, this piece is well suited to the string orchestra and offers every section the opportunity to develop beautiful phrases. This piece also offers very challenging harmonic and chromatic sequences. Duartion: 6:10

Hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful arias, this piece will be the emotional highlight of any concert. With its many tempo nuances, this piece is perfect for working on musicianship and will allow your string orchestra to give its most expressive performance yet.

Written for voice in 1938 and based on text by poet James Agee, This music is highly emotional. With solo parts for violin and viola, this edition is a superb opportunity to teach 20th century music at its best.

Taken from what is considered by many to be the most famous symphony in the world, this excerpt will provide your students with an opportunity to play another spectacular movement from the pen of the master himself! Dur: 4:00

This fresh new arrangement retains all of the fire and passion found in Mozart's first minor-key symphony. The second violin and viola parts are playable in first position, and the use of optional notes and divisi make the first violin, cello, and bass parts accessible to less advanced players. Mature school players will enjoy playing this energetic movement, which opens the movie Amadeus. Duration 5:40

Known as “Papa” Haydn to his musicians, Haydn once wrote that his relative isolation in Esterhazy, away from the mainstream, “forced me to be original.” This sprightly arrangement provides a glimpse at both the genius and the humor of the composer who perfected the classical symphony. Dur: 4:15

Three famous themes have been arranged in a short suite of dances that capture the baroque style with carefully designed ensemble and inner part writing. Includes: Hornpipe, Aire and Allegro. Dur: 4:20

These spirited variations from a Russian folk tale will delight students with their dance-like quality. The variations of the melody move and flow and are played by the violins, violas and cellos.

Based on “Largo al factotum,” this waltz theme appears in Act I of what many consider to be the classic of comedic operas. Lloyd Conley has created an ideal teaching and performance setting for intermediate groups with an opportunity to teach 3/8 meter and the classic waltz style of Rossini. Dur: 2:45