Just Chillin' (String Orchestra Gr. 3)

Written after enjoying a relaxed, carefree afternoon of sitting under a shady palm tree at a south Florida beach, Just Chillin' is a laid back, jazz-inspired piece to be played in a playful, joyful manner.

Genre: String Orchestra | # of Players: 8-8-5-5-5
Series: Emerald Orchestra Series
Level: 3 | Duration: 3:40

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score (8.5"x11" booklet)

Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Bass

Program Notes
I composed this piece after enjoying a relaxed, carefree afternoon of sitting under a shady palm tree at a beach in South Florida. This laid back, jazz inspired piece is marked giocoso and should therefore be performed in a playful or joyful manner. The jazzy swing feel in this composition is established in the first few bars by the cello and bass sections. It is reinforced shortly thereafter with entrances by the first violins, then violas, and finally the second violins. Just Chillin’ is in G major except for a short, modulated section to C major in measures 66-74. The dynamics in this composition range from p (piano) to FF (fortissimo) and, for the most part, the celli and basses play the same notes; the cello section plays them arco (with the bow) and the basses play them pizzicato (plucked).

– V.K.