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In a time of increased multicultural awareness, this grade 1+ setting of a Kenyan folk-song merges a memorable melody and a simple rhythmic motif with excellent results. Everyone shares the lead material, and the final cello/bass statement bringing the key from G to D produces a brilliant conclusion. Duration 1:55

The castanets represent bones rattling and add a scary touch! You can let the string player with the broken arm play the castanet part! Each section of the orchestra gets to play melody lines with easy rhythms. Techniques featured are pizzicato, accents, tremolo, and some 1st finger slides. The use of energetic quarter notes throughout will bring this piece to life. A surprise Boo at the end will get the attention of the audience. Great fun for all!

Here' s a solid teaching piece with great simple effects, including a infectious rhythm groove (shaker and cowbell) that gives it a contemporary Latin feel.

Here’s the perfect piece for your C-farers! Written especially for young violists, cellists, and bassists, C-Serpents explores the depths of the lower strings. Simple modes are creatively mixed with contemporary-sounding rhythms and harmonies.

Here's a unique way to add some fun to your program. Staged with a “featured” player, this piece unfolds with numerous “missed” opportunities for the triangle soloist (maybe a local celebrity, like the principal, mayor, or a special teacher), and culminates with a big finish – concerto style.

The ländler (an 18th-century German folk dance) was a popular style among classical composers, who even incorporated them into large symphonic works. Here is a very easy and enjoyable work by Beethoven that uses just quarter note rhythms and basic dynamic changes

Imagine a formal, stylised dance with bows as guests or newcomers are welcomed into a home or community gathering and you will have the feel of this Danish dance of greeting. All players have a chance at the melody and the lower strings are featured.

The feel of traditional African dance brought to the string orchestra will provide an exciting, rhythmic treat for your students. Written specifically with young players in mind, the piece includes a playable drum part including detailed instructions for best use of the percussion.

Easy yet tasteful writing is a feature of this new teaching piece from Stephen Bulla. Set in a gentle 3/4 waltz style, it has a good blend of music detail and accessibility for your developing string ensemble.

The title of this popular Spanish carol comes not from the Spanish language but rather from the sound of strumming a stringed instrument. This authentic setting for your beginning string orchestra is complete with strings alone, but comes with optional piano and percussion parts. Bring a multicultural flair to your Christmas concert

This ideal teaching piece features all quarter notes in a confidence-building ensemble style, as well as good use of dynamics and pizzicato for beginning students.

Most often heard during the holiday season but appropriate all year long, this familiar English tune lets students focus on playing with warm expression and good intonation. Great change-of-pace fare for any concert! Set includes optional 3rd Violin/Viola T.C. and piano parts.

Guest Soloist is a fun, interactive piece that spotlights a volunteer from the audience playing a two- string violin (or any instrument you choose to use). Unlike other similar pieces, this one requires absolutely NO REHEARSAL ahead of time with the soloist, who is cued in with taps on the shoulder. Everyone will be amazed, as a volunteer from the audience, chosen on the spot, becomes the next violin virtuoso. Sure to bring down the house, this two-minute concerto is a wonderful way for your orchestra to really connect with your audience. Simple instructions on how to prepare the soloist's violin are included. A great time for everyone involved!

Instrumentation: Violin1; Violin 2; Violin 3/Viola TC; Viola; Cello; Bass; Percussion; Piano. Respected writer and educator Lloyd Conley brings us a new teaching piece for beginners. Combining several American folk and fiddle favorites, Lloyd has carefully crafted a fun and performable medley for your beginners

Inspired by the ticking of the clock and the clock tower chime tones of Westminster Abbey in London, this piece contains both. While maintaining a steady beat, students will study contrasting articulations and styles: legato, detaché, staccato, accents, and pizzicato. Careful attention to dynamics will give the piece character and colour.

Celebrate the holiday season with this sparkling medley of all-time hits. Includes Up on the Housetop, Dreydl, Dreydl, Jingle Bells, and Deck the Halls in a bright, accessible arrangement that will spotlight your beginning strings.

Instrumentation: Violin1; Violin 2; Violin 3/Viola TC; Viola; Cello; Bass; Percussion; Piano. Who says Beethoven can't be fun? Here's a clever spin on classical music's most famous four-note motif, done up right in a current techno-dance treatment.

In a stately march tempo, Nobles of the Sword features tonal centers in A minor and C major, and is written in tutti style with ample opportunities to teach common rhythms (including dotted quarter/eighth note). American Grade 1.5

Imagine a cheery tune Santa’s elves might sing while making Christmas toys! This fun polka for beginners stays on the D and A strings, uses only the first finger pattern, and is aimed at developing dexterity and string-crossing skills in young musicians. Optional percussion parts add the workshop sound effects, but students will really enjoy the catchy melodies that start quietly and build to a rowdy finish

Now all your students can be stars! They will learn to play Popcorn Prelude quickly and easily. Then just add a bit of simple “stand up, sit down” staging and voilà – it's popcorn!

Robert Longfield brings a fresh approach to this beginning level overture. The easy, unique string and special effects will give your students wonderful exposure to programmatic-style music and orchestration.

James Curnow's newest opus features strong diatonic lines, rhythmic backgrounds, and interesting parts for all players in a one-tempo setting.

Instrumentation: Violin1; Violin 2; Violin 3/Viola TC; Viola; Cello; Bass; Percussion; Piano. Stephen brings us a superb, accessible piece for young players with only quarter/eighth note technical demands, solid intervals in the themes, and level-appropriate dynamics throughout. A great teaching piece!