Multicultural Selections for String Orchestra

This popular dance tune comes from Orchesographie - a manual of Renaissance social dances written by a French cleric Jehan Tabourot (1519-1595) under the pen name Thoinot Arbeau. This arrangement

Featuring string quartet and orchestra, this tour de force follows a few straggling Irish musicians (the quartet) who find themselves in a junkyard picking up scrap instruments. As the quartet begins to

Imagine the easy feeling of a day at the beach, happily soaking in the sunshine! This delightful original piece uses rhythmic syncopations, percussion, and harmonies that evoke a variety of Caribbean

Just off the coast of Wales, the Isle of Anglesey features a large seaport bringing passengers to and from Ireland. Bridging the waters between these beautiful lands, this charming arrangement for

Jai Hind is an Indian expression meaning "Hail India" or "Long Live India." This arrangement features three different songs, including Jana Gana Mana, the national anthem of India.

Tango your way into the hearts of of your audience with this spicy original that contains all of the dramatic flavor of a Brazilian tango. It has the push and pull of the tempo, dynamics, and rhythmic

Inspired by the joyous optimism of the Kenyan people, this energetic greeting prelude for string orchestra will delight performers and audiences alike with its rhythmic drive and call-and-response echoes.

Here is a very beautiful setting of the traditional Chinese folk song Molihua. This tune is a vital part of Chinese New Year celebrations and was featured at the 2004 Summer Olympics. The soothing

This fun arrangement in D major is based on an 18th-century dance tune written by escaped slave Ignatius Sancho. Each section gets a turn with the melody. Skills students will reinforce include string

This classic Russian folk dance in the traditional bottle dance format is carefully crafted for developing string ensemble. A terrific opportunity to teach and perform music, style and tradition from

This best-known Korean folk song takes on a new life in this delightful work! Based on the pentatonic scale, the melody is taken through a series of beautiful, reflective and triumphal variations. It will

Korobushka ("The Peddler") is a Russian folk song and dance based on a poem written in 1861 by Nikolay Nekrasov. The music was written sometime in the late 19th century, although the composer is

In addition to numerous etudes and a virtuosic violin concerto, violinist Joseph (José) White Lafitte composed this habanera for two violins, La Bella Cubana. In this string orchestra arrangement of

Tell the mischievous tale of La Bruja (the witch) in this wonderful arrangement. A favorite with mariachi groups due to its hauntingly beautiful melody, this is the perfect introduction to folk

La culebra is a traditional Mexican folk dance that depicts a story of a group of men working in the fields. As they are working, their wives are on their way to the fields to pay a visit. On their

In the style of a habanera, the characteristic and distinct rhythm reflects the fusion of Cuban and Spanish cultures. Many sections of your string orchestra get a chance to play the memorable melody from

Written as a tribute to Valentina Ramirez Avitia, who fought in the Mexican Revolution at a time when women were not allowed in the Mexican military, this folk song tat is played by many mariachi groups in

Based on a traditional Lakota melody originally written for flute, this unique arrangement has a haunting melody based on the D pentatonic scale which is passed to all sections. Players will practice simple

For a special touch at your next concert, feature one of Canada's most popular folk songs. It's often sung around campfires and makes a perfect cross-cultural study.