The French Quarter

arr. Andrew Guarrine

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano

BAS83 - Score and Parts - $45.00

BAS83F - Full Score - $6.00

BAS83P - Part - $3.00

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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.

On a Swing

Lauren Bernofsky

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano

BAS84 - Score and Parts - $45.00

BAS84F - Full Score - $6.00

BAS84P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

Lauren Bernofsky wants young string players to love playing music, from the very beginning of their studies. Therefore, she likes writing early-level pieces that are fun, yet pedagogically helpful. “On a Swing” is played on only open strings, so students can focus on their bow holds and bowing without having to think about left-hand fingers. The piece gets its harmonic and rhythmic interest from the piano part. This work is dedicated to Sandy Mutchler, who fondly remembers her dear friend, the strings pedagogue Linda Luebke. The title and feel of the piece reflect the times they spent together on a porch swing. The back-and-forth motion of the swing is imitated in the up-and-down bows. Students should think of a relaxed, swinging motion with their bodies as they play this piece.

Atlantis

Todd Parrish

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano

FAS119 - Score and Parts - $48.00

FAS119F - Full Score - $7.00

FAS119P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

An exciting journey through Atlantis awaits students in this straight-forward composition using notes of the B natural-minor scale. Using only the notes and rhythms learned in the first year of study, this work is very accessible for beginning to intermediate students. Dynamic contrasts from piano to forte are explored including crescendos and decrescendos, along with short and long bowing articulations. The minor-key feel of this work will motivate students from the first rehearsal to the final performance.

Mountain Run

Liam Ramsey-White

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 (Viola T.C.), Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano

FAS120 - Score and Parts - $48.00

FAS120F - Full Score - $7.00

FAS120P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

As the name implies, this work portrays a morning run up a mountain and the feeling that comes with the wonderful vistas that surround. Students will experience images of beautiful vegetation and fresh-water streams as they traverse the mountain path. All notes are playable in D Major after just a couple years of study, with no low second fingers. The adventurous theme and accompaniments are composed of simple rhythms that sound great and are easy to put together.

Searching for Destiny's Diamond

Kirt Mosier

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 (Viola T.C.), Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano

FAS121 - Score and Parts - $48.00

FAS121F - Full Score - $7.00

FAS121P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

Searching for Destiny’s Diamond is a mysterious work that centers around the idea of young people searching out their destiny during dark times. It involves intrigue and tension, as they journey towards their purpose and the diamond that is their bright future. Every instrument in the orchestra begins with the melody and plays it throughout the piece, making this work an excellent teaching piece since all parts can be learned at the same time. The second half of the work is a musical stretto with the melodic figure offset by one measure in Violin II, Viola and Bass. This makes for some intriguing harmonies that will increase the student’s hearing ability and bring tension to the piece. While this piece can be performed without piano, it is desired that the piano be played in performance, as it adds intrigue to the sound. The piano part has been written so that it can be performed by developing pianists. To facilitate performances when no player is available, a recorded piano part is available at www.carlfischer.com/FAS121.

Desert Sunrise

James Lockett

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 (Viola T.C.), Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Harp

YAS204 - Score and Parts - $50.00

YAS204F - Full Score - $8.00

YAS204P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

This warm, lush work for early-intermediate string orchestra has simple, playable, yet interesting elements for all performers. Teaching opportunities include legato and pizzicato articulations, dynamics changes, a focus on intonation, and playing together in simple, repeated rhythms. The sonorous harmonies make this piece enjoyable to teach and to play as well as to hear for the audience. The optional harp part adds another layer of beauty and interest.

Vanguard

(A Bass Section Adventure)

Doug Spata

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 (Viola T.C.), Viola, Cello, Contrabass

YAS205 - Score and Parts - $50.00

YAS205F - Full Score - $8.00

YAS205P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

Get your superstar bass section out of the back row and into the spotlight with Vanguard, an exciting section feature. They’ll get to showcase their skills with hooked bowings, dotted rhythms and exciting, driving melodies. Meanwhile, the rest of the orchestra gets to experience playing mixed C naturals and C sharps, counting challenging rhythms, and taking the spotlight with some fun melodies of their own. All students will love the fast cut-time tempo and dark E-minor tonality, but basses will especially appreciate this exciting chance to finally take center stage!

The North Pole Express

Kathryn Griesinger

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 (Viola T.C.), Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano

YAS206 - Score and Parts - $58.00

YAS206F - Full Score - $8.00

YAS206P - Part - $3.00

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Take a sparkling ride through the snow aboard an express train, headed straight for the North Pole. In this Grade 2 holiday arrangement, developing players will “travel” through several holiday tunes, including Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Good King Wenceslas, O Christmas Tree, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Students can work on staccato bow technique, easy dotted rhythms, and low 2 / low 1 finger patterns, but all while staying in first position. Be sure to use the included percussion and train whistle to make the journey come alive.

Blaze

Erica Donahoe

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 (Viola T.C.), Viola, Cello, Contrabass

YAS207 - Score and Parts - $50.00

YAS207F - Full Score - $8.00

YAS207P - Part - $3.00

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This fiery work showcases the low strings, with driving rhythms and syncopations. Students have the opportunity to practice both forward and backward extensions, as well as accented and off the string bow strokes. Paying close attention to dynamics and articulation will strengthen the performance. The slow, middle section will be a moment for the violas and cellos to shine, with a rich melody in their lower register. Encourage your students to dig in and light the stage on fire!

Moonstone

Yukiko Nishimura

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 (Viola T.C.), Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano

YAS208 - Score and Parts - $50.00

YAS208F - Full Score - $8.00

YAS208P - Part - $3.00

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Moonstone is the composer’s favorite gemstone. Though not very bright, it has a unique, elegant sparkle. This composition reflects that understated beauty. The main melody in Moonstone has long, but lyrical phrasing with an enjoyable conversation between the higher and lower instruments. Although the time signature is in 4/4, the music should feel as if it is in cut-time to avoid sounding too square. The phrasing is always floating through the air in a legato style. However, the eighth-note detaché should be executed mechanically, but in a mysterious mood.

The Road to Andalusia

Eric Davis

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass

CAS134 - Score and Parts - $55.00

CAS134F - Full Score - $9.00

CAS134P - Part - $3.00

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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.

What Child is This?

arr. Jeffrey Turner

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass

CAS136 - Score and Parts - $55.00

CAS136F - Full Score - $9.00

CAS136P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

This timeless classic is loved all over the world. Using chord substitutions, the harmonic structure of the piece sounds much more advanced than expected at this grade level. The musicians play con sordino, adding to the transcendent feel of the work, and two key changes give the students experience in shifting tonalities. This delicate, enchanting carol is a beautiful addition to any holiday concert.

Rhythmos

Kathryn Griesinger

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass

CAS137 - Score and Parts - $55.00

CAS137F - Full Score - $9.00

CAS137P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

The title refers to the Latin word for "rhythm" as well as to the ancient Greek term meaning symmetry, harmony, and rhythm in music or speech. This original work for string orchestra explores a variety of interlocking rhythmic structures that support a solemn melody in A minor. The theme moves through several dramatic modal shifts, with a spiccato rhythmic motif re-appearing throughout the sections of the orchestra.

Bacchanale

Liam Ramsey-White

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass

CAS133 - Score and Parts - $55.00

CAS133F - Full Score - $9.00

CAS133P - Part - $3.00

Sample Score (PDF)

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Bacchanale is a frantic dance full of reckless abandon. Taken from the name of the Roman god of wine Bacchus, this work is a festive celebration. It starts with lyrical melodies juxtaposed against sharp, driving motor-like rhythms. The middle section consists of a tempo modulation into a contrasting tune filled with longing, but the party resumes and finishes in a spectacular style. Staccato, spiccato and legato articulations are explored along with accidentals, accents and bow lifts.

Tempo di Minuetto

(In the style of Pugnani)

Fritz Kreisler (arr. Deborah Baker Monday)

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass

CAS135 - Score and Parts - $55.00

CAS135F - Full Score - $9.00

CAS135P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

Fritz Kreisler (1875–1962) was considered one of the greatest violinists of all time. He was also known for composing a number of pieces for violin to be played as solos for encores. Many of them are known as “pastiches,” which are works composed in the styles of other composers. He also wrote operettas, a string quartet and many cadenzas which are the most often played by violinists today.

Tempo di Minuetto is in the style of Gaetano Pugnani. Kreisler also composed his well known Praeludium and Allegro in the style of this eighteenth-century Italian composer/violinist. Tempo di Minuetto is a work for violin and piano which is a standard in the solo repertoire.

In this arrangement, the solo violin part has been integrated into the string orchestra. The parts have been cleverly adapted so that all string parts have thematic interest. It is written in a basic minuet-and-trio form which will offer many teaching points on style and historical perspective.

The arranger suggests that the director and students become acquainted with the original work for solo violin and piano to familiarize them with the style intended by Kreisler. This will help them recreate these styles in their orchestral performance.

Catalyst

Lauren Taylor

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass

SAS5 - Score and Parts - $60.00

SAS5F - Full Score - $9.00

SAS5P - Part - $3.00

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Sample Score (PDF)

Catalyst is a fiery and rhythmic piece that allows your ensemble to work on syncopated rhythms, difficult but accessible fingerings, and advanced phrasing. Articulations should all be emphasized in order to add to the drama of the piece, as well as to create a strong contrast between the crisp staccatos and the long and smooth legatos. Awareness across the ensemble will be essential to maintain both cohesion and clarity of the melody throughout the faster and slower sections.

Apocalyptic (Finale from Symphony No. 8)

Anton Bruckner (arr. Kirk Moss)

Carl Fischer Music

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Timpani

SAS6 - Score and Parts - $60.00

SAS6F - Full Score - $9.00

SAS6P - Part - $3.00

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Bruckner began composing the Eighth Symphony, his last completed symphony, in July 1884, working mainly during the summer vacations from his duties at the University of Vienna and the Vienna Conservatory. When he finished the work's revelatory finale, he signed it "Hallelujah,” and reported enthusiastically, “The Finale is the most significant movement of my life." Following the premiere performance, a peer composer penned, “Its success was almost without precedent. It was the absolute victory of light over darkness.” This work leaps to life with awe-inspiring power in this first-ever setting for string orchestra with optional timpani. Transposed from its original key of C minor/major to D minor/major, the music sits nicely for all parts, ready for any concert or festival. The conductor should encourage students to vary the bow lanes, weight, and speed to produce powerful forte and expressive piano dynamics. Encourage mature players to make expressive fingering choices and to use vibrato. Students should practice coloring the tone and intensity through bowing lanes, variable bow weight, and appropriate bow speeds.