Birds on a Wire

A chirping three-note figure flits antiphonally among the upper strings before taking off into an extended melody for the viola and cello. Each part alternates freely between melody and accompaniment using an assortment of techniques including spiccato, double stops, pizzicato, and dynamic changes. The aspects of traditional counterpoint and melodic development will provide teaching moments for the director, while the students will enjoy the pop-influenced rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary.