Written after Mendelssohn visited Fingal's Cave off the coast of Scotland, this music showcases the composer's comment that it is "in pictures, ruins and natural surroundings that I find the most music."

Challenge your orchestra as they conjure images of fire and daring dances! A 9/8 meter is broken into 2+2+2+3 creating an uneven "four" feel that is not too difficult and adds intensity to the dance.

With a uniquely American sound, this work fuses open chords with lush flowing melodies that interplay back and forth in a struggle for supremacy. It is finally settled with both coexisting together in the

This aria, probably the most popular habanera ever, lends itself in a superb fashion to the string orchestra. Even in the opera score, the cello is the anchor, providing the rhythmic and tonal structure on

Great fun and a whole lot more! This exciting, familiar work will give new life to your rehearsals and will be a standout at any concert. Enjoy!

This ode to the Wild West begins with a mysterious introduction using the folk song All the Pretty Little Horses. Brief solos for violin, viola, and cello are heard before the driving and energetic

This original piece has a truly Irish character with the feel of Celtic music in driving 6/8 time. Perfect to teach younger students this time signature.

Here is a work of simplicity and beauty with some contemporary harmonies. Recorded by Michigan State University Orchestra on the CD Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra, Volume 1 -

The title refers to the "three M's" - minor, meter, and mix - and is a dynamic piece for teaching and performing. This impressive teaching piece features a mixture of the melodic and harmonic minor forms as

Tchaikovsky's most famous march exemplifies the spirit of 19th century nationalism as it was growing in Europe. This exceptional arrangement set in A minor (a more comfortable key than the original Bb

An excellent rehearsal/performance selection which will be very beneficial in building maturity in your string players.