"Levels of difficulty" are often very subjective and should be used as a general guide.
The violin parts, in 99% of our string orchestra music, can be played in 1st position.
Our pieces are geared to students with at least a year or more of playing experience.
This orchestra music will also work very well in a string quartet setting.
Piano accompaniment parts are always optional.
Percussion parts are optional but will certainly enhance your performance if one or more parts are included. Feel free to improvise your own percussion accompaniment.
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= full performance audio
String Orchestra Selections:------------------------------------------------------------- NEW! End Pin Blues (1) Spotlight the lower strings with the blues style in all its splendor. Great for teaching the importance of dynamic contrast, balance and blend. Very playable by younger strings. Key: D Duration: 1:50
NEW! Terrapin Tap Dance (1) This imaginative and playful piece showcases the entire ensemble’s pizzicato technique. Perfect for any concert performance. Key: G Duration: 1:45
NEW! Mellow Manatee (1+) Light and colorful with a hint of rock, this selection features a prominent violin melody accompanied by supportive parts in the other string sections. Includes both optional piano and auxiliary percussion parts. Destined to be a favorite. Key: D Duration: 1:40
NEW! Tawneytown Two-Step (1) A unique opportunity to reinforce low 2nd finger patterns in the upper strings. Bright and bouncy, light and lively. Toes will definitely be tapping on stage and in the audience. Delightful! Key: G Duration: 1:45
Penguin Promenade (1) Penguin Promenade is a light and lively folk dance incorporating both legato and pizzicato playing. Written with the younger orchestra in mind, this original piece will quickly become an a student favorite for your Spring or Winter concert. Optional percussion parts are included. Keys: C and G Duration: 2:40 Mexican Mosaic (1+) With a charming melody and a Latin style, this delightful selection provides a perfect opportunity to reinforce both pizzicato and legato playing. Very accessible for your younger strings. Keys: C and G Duration: 2:15
Caribbean Conga (1+) A delightful, syncopated island celebration. Based upon the rhythmic pattern of its title, this song looks a bit more challenging than it actually is and will come together quite easily. A real treat to practice and lots of fun to perform. Use the included optional percussion parts or improvise on your own. An audience favorite! Key: D Duration: 2:00
Serengeti Strut (2) It’s a syncopated safari complete with optional percussion. Follow a funky animal caravan as it moves through the rainforest. Imaginative and vibrant with many opportunities for both independent and soli playing. Key: D Duration: 3:16
Mid Town March (1+) An enthusiastic salute to Annapolis, MD – (Home of the Naval Academy.) This song provides a chance for the cellos and basses to show off their playing skills in a unison soli section. The audience will be tapping their toes to this one. An included percussion part is optional but strongly suggested for a complete performance. Key: C Duration: 2:30
Siesta Fiesta (1+) Serene and charming with a Latin flair. A celebration of rest and relaxation! Blend in some optional auxiliary percussion for additional flavor. Key: C Duration: 3:30
Tuscaloosa Shuffle (2) Introduce your strings to the joys of swing! This jazzy selection is surely destined to become an audience favorite. It includes a memorable melody, a few brief challenges, lots of pizzazz and a healthy dose of swinging eighths. Key: G Duration: 3:30
Celtic Sunrise (2) Use this rousing Highland adventure to introduce or reinforce a variety of 6/8 patterns. Helps to develop independent playing skills as well as attentiveness to rhythmic detail. Key: G Duration: 2:50
Picadilly Polka (2) The themes within this lively selection utilize many of the assorted sixteenth note patterns suggested by its title. Energetic and playful, this piece encourages an enthusiastic performance. Well worth the extra effort. Careful though, your audience may end up dancing in the aisles! Key: G Duration: 3:30
Calm Seas (1+) Peacefully adrift on the water without a care. Opportunities for solo violin and cello if appropriate. Key: G and C Duration: 3:30
Three Majestic Moods (1+) The royal treatment is evident in this three movement suite which features a fanfare, minuet and march. Written entirely in 3/4 time, this selection gives your students opportunities for both tutti and independent playing. A more traditional and very playable piece for your younger strings. Key: C and D Duration: 4:00
North Pole Pizzicato (1) A very playable and entertaining way to develop your orchestra’s pizzicato technique. An ideal teaching piece and a welcome addition to any Winter concert. Sleighbells are optional but strongly suggested! Key: G Duration: 1:45
Snow Day Celebration (1+) Sporting a light and lively melody, this tune is extremely playable and easy to assemble. It includes a brief fling of pizzicato for the upper strings and an opportunity for your low strings to shine. *Also includes alternate parts for Violin II and Viola removing the C#'s on the G string. A great ending piece for your special winter program. Key: D Duration: 2:15
Hanukkah Lights (1+) Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a distinctive ethnic flair. Written in the style of a traditional circle dance, this selection includes contrasting cut-time and common time sections. Key: A minor Duration: 2:00
Triplet Triathlon (1) Introduce the triplet in an elegant and royal fashion. This selection is full of dynamic and rhythmic contrast. An alternative to the usual processional or recessional. Key: G Duration: 1:40
Cloud Hopper (1) Dreamy and peaceful. This song gives your beginning players a chance to show off their ensemble skills. Full sounding and very playable. Key: D Duration: 1:50
Simple Gifts (2) (Vln,Vln2-Vla, Cello) The traditional Shaker hymn with a uniquely inventive blend of independent parts. Some position work in the 1st violin and used briefly in the cello part to introduce the melody. Keys: C and F Duration: 1:50
Fanfare Waltz (1) (Vln,Vln2-Vla, Cello) An easy, flowing waltz. Goes great in combination with the Minuet Royale. Key: D Duration: 1:30
Minuet Royale (1) (Vln,Vln2-Vla,Cello) A very melodic, stately waltz in legato style. Goes great in combination with the Fanfare Waltz. Key: D Duration: 1:40
Simple Gifts (2) (Vln, Cello) (Vln,Vla) Violin and cello share equal responsibilities. Includes optional parts for playing totally in 1st position. Keys: C and F Duration: 1:50
