Grade 1 (Amethyst Series)

All about a kookaburra in "an old gum tree", the piece is written as a "patrol" beginning with a distant "pizzicato style" pulse building to a rousing middle section which fades to a distant drum beat again with the...

The genius of Vivaldi in bringing out the best of the string idiom is evident in this piece for young players. They will sound much more mature and skilled because of the solid nature of this music. Baroque music has always...

A set of variations on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star makes interesting listening and provides variety from the simple yet effective tune that lays well on all string instruments. The piece has a serious symphonic nature which...

Use of the Dorian mode gives this piece a fresh quality; yet the scale patterns are comfortable for all players. The contrast of styles is apparent, yet the careful range and technical considerations make the piece sound...

One and Done is a great way to introduce the youngest of players to bowing the open strings and first finger notes outside of the method book in a concert-worthy selection. Featuring limited harmony, call-and-response...

Over the Rolling Downs evokes the images of gliding high above the landscape, following the contour of the lands that fall away below. Listening to the lilting contours of this music you can experience the feeling of freedom...

Cast in a concert march form this piece is scored carefully to draw a strong, full tone from all sections of the orchestra. Genre: String Orchestra | # of Players: 8-8-5-5-5 Level: 1.5 | Duration: 3:30 InstrumentationViolin...

A complete concert in one collection consisting of six very playable and contrasting pieces.Genre: String Orchestra | # of Players: 8-8-5-5-5 Level: 0.5 | Duration: 10:15 InstrumentationViolin I Violin II Viola Cello...

Rook to Bishop is written to showcase the musicianship of the beginning orchestra. Using only quarter notes/rests, half notes/rests, and the pitches D, E, F-sharp, G, A, and B, the piece allows each section an opportunity to...

Introduce your beginning group to one of the great masterpieces of orchestral literature with this accessible arrangement of Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks.Genre: String Orchestra | # of Players: 8-8-5-5-5 Level: 1.5...

"Why aren't there more slow pieces in three four time?'' Why indeed. The music is slow and singing in style. Providing musical challenges through the tension and release of the melodic and harmonic lines, it is plaintive and...

Back-to-front, upside-down and split in half – in these pieces, familiar tunes have been rearranged to present students with the fun challenge of identifying them. Individual titles give some cryptic clues. This set of...

A fun, accessible piece designed for beginning-level string orchestras, Tango for Open Strings incorporates open string techniques in combination with a lively tango rhythm. The piano accompaniment adds texture and enhances...

Three Piece with a Side of Rosin uses only the pitches D, E, F s, G, A, and B to create a memorable exposure to 3/4 time for beginning orchestra. All sections are featured on the melody in this short, fun composition that...

Darkness descends, the mood is tense - Trick or Treat is near! This piece is an ideal tool to introduce your orchestra to the differences between major and minor tonality.Genre: Full Orchestra | # of Players: Standard Level:...

In his setting of the childhood favorite, Gackstatter created an arrangement playable by a variety of string orchestras by offering easy, medium, and advanced parts for each instrument. This would be perfect for combining...