Arco Polo

This engaging piece for string orchestra is appropriate for any time of the year but is especially fun for a summer orchestra concert. Arco Polo is a musical depiction of the well-known swimming-pool game Marco Polo. The piece begins tutti pizzicato, but then the instruments "call out" to each other using their bows. This is a multilevel piece which makes it a practical choice for an orchestra with students at varying skill levels. It can stand alone as a Level 1.5 piece, but with the addition of the advanced violin, viola, and cello parts it becomes even more challenging and fun. For yet another layer of fun, there is an optional improvisational section where students are randomly (perhaps secretly) selected to be the "caller" and the rest of the orchestra answers. As an extra surprise for the orchestra and audience, an audience member can be cued to literally call out to the orchestra.