Grand Mesa Music

Combining themes from two Bartok piano pieces from his collection 'For Children

The techniques of pizzicato and quick back-and-forth imitation bring to mind a spirited table-tennis match in this unique easier string work. The rhythmic challenges this piece presents will seem fun...

Hopkins has created in this work a sophisticated sound environment reminiscent of a classical style string quartet, yet playable by first year players. Several important techniques are incorporated he...

Driving and energetic from start to finish, this edgy new work weds pulsing background rhythms and eastern-sounding modes with ethereal sustained melodies. Your students will surely be infatuated by t...

The essence of the American West is captured in this sweeping, cinematic musical tableaux by one of the country's top writers for young string orchestra.

Use this expertly crafted work for strings to introduce your orchestra to the pleasures of playing Renaissance Dance music.

Driving rhythms and memorable melodies make this tune a fun method of learning the upper positions. Fingerings are given and judicious use of open strings helps with proper left hand placement.

Perhaps the most famous example of Brazilian Choro music, this piece is made accessible to high school players in this sterling arrangement featuring a whistle and a section that uses strings as percu...

Two contrasting movements, the first brooding and pensive, and the second exuberant and dancing make for a perfect contest or concert selection.

This highly expressive Elizabethan pavane is charged with emotion, and this setting gives interesting parts to all instruments within the fabric of Renaissance counterpoint.

(trans. 'I Love You So Much') This gentle and beautiful Danza from the Cuban master combines the rhythms of Latin American popular music with the harmonies of European Romanticism.

Your young string players will love sounding sophisticated and mature beyond their years playing this loosely based arrangement of the Andante from Handel's 'Overture to Berenice'.

Written to evoke images of a radiant fall in the high country, this key of G work features interesting melodic lines in all parts, a relaxing tempo, a variety of articulations, and 3/4 time.

A lemon twist is used in beverages to add zest or is sometimes just for decoration. Musically, our Lemon Twist is a zesty melody that has some surprise twists rhythmically, and is spiced up even more...

Working with a classic keyboard composition, the arranger has done an admirable job of making this esteemed work accessible to the young string orchestra. Use this excellent setting of a familiar piec...

The ground is covered with snow and it is a perfect time to hook up the horses to a sleigh. Snow Ride captures the enjoyment of taking a sleigh ride on a snowy day, with musical images created by an a...

After playing these original and unique variations on Yankee Doodle, your students will be experts on playing mixed meters! After the theme, the variations are in 5, 6, 7, and 15 beats per measure. Ge...

Defined as 'an intricate combination of passages in which it is difficult to find one's way or to reach the exit,' this musical labyrinth is perfect theme music for such a scenario. Set in a minor key...

Sophisticated and gentle, these three pieces are excellent examples of early romantic chamber music. Since they were originally written for brass quintet (by German composer Ludwig Maurer), these piec...

Start your concert on a high note with this great celebratory program opener from Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks. Your students will love playing this energetic baroque classic!

Don't be fooled by the gentle opening statement; this is Heavy Metal for strings! Even though it was written for and fits strings perfectly, the inspiration came from the big hair bands. There is even...

In this musical homage to a roving European ethnic group, the composer's original theme becomes a basis for a theme and variations. Starting with the slow, emotional theme in d minor, the piece quickl...

Contemporary harmonies and rhythms are featured in this modern-sounding rondo. The musical journey this epic string works takes is a fascinating one as the various themes of the rondo alternate and mu...

Vivaldi's Concerto for Four Violins in B Minor, opus 3, no. 10, was published in 1711 in L'estro armonica ('The Harmonic Fancy'), a set of 12 concertos for various instruments. This particular concert...