recommended by Megan W., Orchestra Specialist

Griot’s Dance by Kirk Mosier, Grade 3
This exciting work utilizes calypso rhythms to tell its powerful story. All instruments are given equal treatment in receiving melodic content as well as calypsodic rhythmic accompaniments.

Petite Suite Française by Douglas E. Wagner, Grade 1
“Petite Suite Française” by Douglas E. Wagner is an original work of three short movements, each of which is cast in the style of a French folk song, though no specific tunes are quoted. The music is easy to grasp for younger players, and the diversity in style and scoring techniques will engage players to perform their best. Movements include: “On Y Va! (Here We Go!),” “Les Cloches de la Vallée (The Bells in the Valley),” and “Chanté avec Moi (Sing with Me).”

Circle of Rhythm (An African Motif) by Reynard Burns, Grade 2.5
Inspired by the rhythms and melodies of African culture, this inspiring original work features melodies built around a four-bar rhythmic motif. Perfect for teaching varying rhythm patterns to the young middle school orchestra. All sections are given the melody. Optional percussion part for sogo or hand drum.

Wellerman arr. Larry Moore, Medium Easy
A fun and lively arrangement of the popular New Zealand sea shanty written for young string orchestras. A wonderful opportunity to teach cut time and scale technique. The comfortable key of G, all first position and frequent doubling make this a very accessible work.

Doraji arr. Benjamin P. Snoek, Grade 2.5
This popular Korean folk song is named for the Platycodon grandiflorus or balloon flower. This beautiful setting features lush scoring, flowing counterlines, dramatic phrasing, and seamlessly passes the melody among the entire ensemble. An excellent multicultural piece that will delight musicians and concertgoers.

The French Quarter arr. Andrew R. Guarrine, Grade 0.5
This standard for beginning strings has a new twist to it. The melody is much easier to teach in 4/4 rather than in 3/4. It is still in D major and contains no altered fingerings. The tempo marking is very playable by your younger students, and the dynamic marking is always ƒ so that the orchestra can focus on the notes. The piece contains pizzicato and arco sections, with the melody in both the upper and lower strings. This easy three-part harmony arrangement has bowings marked and is a great piece to showcase strings when they are comfortable with the D major scale.

The Road to Andalusia by Eric B. Davis, Grade 3
Journey to the southern part of Spain where remnants of Moorish and Middle Eastern culture are found, along with traditional Flamenco music. These sounds, melodies and harmonies are used in an almost constant motion with animated and accented rhythms throughout. From the opening measures, these elements leap off the page. Every part has something essential and interesting to play that feels natural, while giving the performers the opportunity to explore different parts of the bow with various articulations and colors.

Mingo the Dingo by Karen Koger, Grade 1
Commissioned by Mesa Public Schools in Arizona for 6th-Grade feeder concerts, “Mingo” features sonorous three-part writing within the D-major scale.

Mysh Marsh (Mouse March) by Karen Koger, Grade 2
Burly mice in warm fur hats stomp with deliberate steps through the “Mysh Marsh” (Russian Mouse March). Violas and cellos move between divisi, pizzicato and arco in the key of D minor with plenty of dynamic contrast. Upper and lower strings pass the melody back and forth, keeping those serious rodents moving along with counter-rhythms and dramatic crescendos.

Pupusas Especiales by Karen Koger, Grade 2.5
The winning title from one of Sarah Moulder’s students at Cesar Chavez Academy, CA inspired the piece “Pupusas Especiales.” Enjoyed by the people of El Salvador and Honduras, Pupusas are Hand Pies – simple bread pockets filled with beans, meats, or cheese. “Pupusas Especiales” (Special Hand Pies) celebrates El Salvadoran and Honduran culture through a joyful dance in G major with syncopation and accents with the option of adding a Guitarrón and Claves to enhance the festive dance feel. A fun harmonic sequence from Caleb Zak, a student from Mount Vernon HS in Ohio, occurs towards the end of “Pupusas Especiales.”

Spoon River by Percy Grainger/arr. Michael Story, Grade 2
This setting of a cherished piano solo Grainger crafted in the early part of the 1900s permits the teaching of opposing articulations in a very musical setting. “Spoon River” arranged by Michael Story features a dance-like melody that will be well received in any performance.

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About the Author:
Megan W., originally from Pittsburgh PA, is happy to call Columbus and Stanton’s Sheet Music “Home.” As a musician, Megan has played in marching and concert bands, youth orchestras, full orchestras, small ensembles, and a few choirs. Her interests include fiddling, reading, writing, martial arts and yoga.