Classical Music for String Orchestra

Experience the thrill of playing an authentic Mozart opera overture while developing spiccato, tremolo, and hooked bowing technique as well as left-hand extensions through multiple key centers. Optional

The Adagio movement of Rachmaninoff's second symphony is considered by many to be one of most beautiful melodies ever written. A continuing favorite in today's concert halls (as well as film and TV), it

Feature this energetic piece, arranged in D Major, in your next concert. Students will love playing this lively dance music from the first movement of this famous work. It's all in first position except for

Alla Danza Tedesca (German dance) is the fourth of six movements in Beethoven's quartet, Op. 130, composed in 1826, the year before his death. While the complex original is simplified here, the

The drama abounds providing opportunities for expressive playing shared by all sections.

As heard in the Oscar-winning movie "The King's Speech," one of Beethoven's most beloved movements accompanied the dramatic moments of this monumental film. Robert Longfield's accessible adaptation for

An excellent choice for concert or festival, this exuberant movement in the key of G major features simple quarter- and eighth-note rhythms with a recurring melodic theme shared among all instruments.

This spirited Allegro comes from the overture to Handel's 1738 opera "Serse" (Xerxes). Transposed to D major, this approachable arrangement provides students the opportunity to explore basic

A folk-like, mature theme is shared across the sections in this approachable yet sophisticated arrangement for strings. Minimal rhythmic independence builds confidence, and limited shifting is required of

Right from the first few notes, the audience will be captivated and ready for this famous theme. This opening fanfare to Strauss' masterpiece is an experience that every young musician should get a chance

An authentic arrangement of the gorgeous second movement from Symphony No. 1 by Russian composer Vasily Kalinnikov, this beautiful symphonic movement stands on its own. It is the epitome of the late

One of the earliest examples of tone painting, Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" is a staple of the orchestral repertoire. This energetic movement from Autumn depicts a hunt on a crisp fall morning and

American composer Basile Bares (1845-1902) began life as a slave child in New Orleans. He lived and worked for a piano shop owner who gave him opportunities to study music and tune pianos. Bares became

As heard in the Disney classic "Fantasia" where it served as accompaniment for ostriches, hippos, elephants and alligators, this work continues as a staple of the of light Classical repertoire taken from

One of opera's most famous scenes is now available in this skilled adaption for strings, with the powerful tribal dance scene from "Samson and Delilah."  After opening with an evocative violin solo,

Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780) was born on a slave ship bound for the Spanish West Indies. He ended up in London in the service of a duke where he learned to read, write, and learn music on his own. Sancho was

From Grundman's Little Suite, Festival is a solid teaching and performance movement, accessible for developing groups. This arrangement is scored in D and G major, and features repeated eighth

German for "fireproof," this was written to commemorate the sale of a fireproof safe by a famous Vienna safe company. With a distinctive Austrian flair like that of more famous marches such as Radetzsky