Positive Opportunities for Your Beginning String Orchestra Tuesday, November 06, 2018
recommended by Dan C., Orchestra Specialist
Once your first and second year students have worked hard and learned the lessons in their beginning method books, give them a chance to play some “real” music that is not part of the book. You can incorporate their class material and maybe some new technical concepts with these wonderful pieces and stretch their musicality as well. Plus your students will have some excellent new music for their next concert!
Contemplation by Larry Clark, Grade 0.5
The composer’s aim: “I want the students to be able to stretch their musicianship beyond their experience on their instrument to play in a contemplative manner. It is something that cannot be stressed enough, even in students who have just begun to play.” Beginners should be able to reach this selection technically, but will have to stretch musically. The notes and rhythms are limited, so students can strive for beauty of tone, good phrasing and emotional involvement. It will make them better musicians, and give them a wonderful piece to play for their families and other audience members.
Spring at Last by Doug Spata, Grade 1.5
You know that feeling when you step out into the late April/early May sunshine and you can just tell that the chill of winter is finally over? The grass is brilliant green, the earth smells rich and fertile, the birds are singing and the bugs are buzzing, and you know it’s “Spring at Last!” The inimitable Doug Spata has captured that moment musically in this fun, fresh offering, and it almost literally “springs” off the page. At a Grade 1.5, it is very playable, plus it has great teaching opportunities. The interesting, angular melodies with arpeggiated skips will require string crossing (some with slurs), plus you can work on staccato bowing, repeats with first and second endings and counting rhythms in cut time. Two orchestra sections are often scored in unison to support the melody, sometimes pairing second violins with cellos or violas with basses and various other combinations. This spritely selection is sure to have players and audience smiling by the end.
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.