While the Sun Shines (String Orchestra Gr. 1)

While the Sun Shines is music that tells a basic, easy-to-imagine story that your audience could find relatable. The simple tune depicts a walk taken by the composer and his dog where the furry friend barked in rhythm as the composer started whistling the simple melody. The increasing use of open string pizzicato represents the rain that cut the duo’s walk short.

Genre: String Orchestra | # of Players: 8-8-5-5-5
Series: Amethyst Orchestra Series
Level: 1 | Duration: 1:30

Instrumentation
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Bass
Rehearsal Piano

Program Notes
Have you ever had a walk or run cut short by rain? That’s what happened to the composer and his dog in While The Sun Shines. The opening arco (bowed) violin melody began as a tune the composer started whistling only to have his dog, while not a gifted musician, contribute a few timely barks in response. As the walk continued, the rain - represented by the increasing use of pizzicato (plucked) notes - began. The final note of the tune has all students playing pizzicato as the rain ends on an otherwise nice walk.