News & Views Tuesday, March 19, 2024

A Little “Mischief” Music Wednesday, August 17, 2016

recommended by Dan C., Orchestra Music Specialist

Trick or Treat! If you are lucky enough to have an orchestra concert toward the end of October, check out these latest options for a ~spooky~ Halloween-themed program.

The Abandoned Funhouse by Brian Balmages, Grade 0.5
Do you have a first concert toward the end of October? You might be able to get your beginners featured on this highly playable, extremely engaging, eerie funhouse tour! Using stepwise motion and no eighth notes, with many instruments only using 5 or 6 notes, you will have to teach them string crossing involving open strings and first violins a one octave D scale, but then you just let the necessary piano (and a wonderfully creepy optional celeste/electronic keyboard) tie it all together for a true showstopper.

A Little Mischief Music by Chris Thomas, Grade 2.5
Conjure up images of wicked forest gnomes and perspicacious pixies for a Middle School Halloween concert. Once your students have learned the difference between marcato and legato as well as how to play low “1” in the high strings and extensions in the cellos, you will have a quirky and fun addition to your concert program where everyone plays important melodic parts. Influenced by dark Russian fairy tales and folk songs it is full of interesting counterpoint and harmonic surprises. Devious but deliciously delightful.

Need more creative programming ideas? Visit our website, or contact us for more personalized recommendations! Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Author:
Dan C. has worked at Stanton’s since 1979, primarily with orchestra music and print promotions. A “working” musician, he’s a classical cellist, a rock & jazz bassist and a folk & country guitarist/singer. His free time is spent with family or reading, gardening, cycling and working puzzles. His series of musical puzzles (RP3 Rebus Puzzle Picture People) can be found on the Stanton’s Facebook page each Sunday. He also has a reputation as a pretty good joke teller. Seriously.


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