Joseph Karwacki

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This is very suitable for Holiday programs and enjoys no specific denominational affiliations. This "original" version was utilized to address beginner abilities and introduce  Meter, Low 2nd finger and basic accidentals. It's flowing repetitive phrases are quick to learn and some surprising modern harmony shifts encourage interest. This version includes "Open String 
&amp; 1st Finger Only" beginners parts for violin and viola.
 
If you are interested in a more sophisticated "Middle School" arrangement of this piece, it is also available in my catalogue, listed as a Grade Level 2.
I hope you enjoy Dreaming of Presents and let me know how you and your students enjoy this piece.

Dreaming of Presents (Elementary)

String Orchestra Score & Parts

A brew of famous tunes, Classical Soup is a feast your early orchestra
  players can quickly cook up in the rehearsal hall and learn many new skills
  while sounding good and enjoying the flavor of the songs. They will recognize
  many familiar melodies and perhaps learn a few new ones. It is a mixture of
  Beethoven, Twinkle, Old MacDonald, Lightly Row, Joy to the World, Jingle
  Bells, Handel, Frere Jacques, 3 Blind Mice and the all too familiar Shave and
  a Haircut, that they can gobble down in just over 2 minutes. And there is a
  full plate of skills to learn at the same time. This piece has mostly simple
  rhythms but still teaches a few new tricks. 
  Some limited use of dotted-quarter/eighth hooked bowing (both up-bow
  and down-bow) is introduced along with numerous articulations for staccato,
  legato, and accents. Limited smidgens of the violin G-String with just a dash
  of Low 2nd finger E string keep your upper string players moderately
  challenged. There is also a one time use of Low 1st finger for your Violin 1
  and Cellos. The young player often doesn't know what a Multi-Measure Rest
  (MMR) looks like, so this is introduced by showing conventional Whole Rests
  followed soon by the introduction of the MMR. The arrangement cleverly uses
  multiple arrangement tools such as unison playing, introduction of harmonies
  played with homogenous rhythm, Call and Answer sections, some quick Pizzicato
  to Arco changes, and two Rounds to finish the piece off. 
    
    Classical Soup is sure to be a continued menu option on your future
  concerts.

Classical Soup

For beginning orchestras March in D is one of THE MOST EFFECTIVE
  showstoppers to end a concert for beginning students. Proven to get jubilant
  applause and standing ovations in over 150 live performances this piece is
  the ultimate example of Keep It Simple and has gotten responses at the same
  level as Queen's We Will Rock You. Its utter simplicity and effectiveness has
  beguiled my colleagues for over 25 years, and yet it still formulates a basis
  in good teaching tools for the young beginning orchestra student. My band
  conductor colleagues are even urging me to arrange a version for their
  students too! The Beginners Level can be taught and learned in one or two
  rehearsals. The Middle School Level requires a bit more time. Once learned,
  it is also an excellent warm-up at lessons and rehearsals or right after
  tuning. The piano accompaniment is mandatory yet requires very basic keyboard
  skills (There is also a play-along track featuring the piano and drum parts).
  The Teacher Guide included with the score shares the main pedagogical goals
  for strengthening bowing and tone production concepts, along with developing
  a good sense of timing, learning to correctly count multiple measures of
  rests, dynamic contrasts and much more. The Score includes Beginner Parts AND
  Middle School parts, so you actually get 2 Arrangements in one package. March
  in D has never experienced a failure and young students love playing it over
  and over. See the Teachers Guide included for each pedagogical step and the
  live staging strategies that have proven successful.

March in D

A favorite of string players, Tchaikovskys Waltz from the Serenade for
  Strings is a staple concert piece for any school orchestral program. In this
  very playable arrangement the First Violins shine, and much of the difficult
  passage work is slightly modified without losing the character of the
  original piece. The flowing melody and the various accompaniment parts give
  all your students a sense of accomplishment, as they learn to love the beauty
  of this wonderful composer.

Waltz

Ensemble

Instrument Family

Instrument Type

Frank Proto composed many pieces featuring the Double Bass prominently.
  This duet for 2 advanced players pays homage to him and his influence on the
  Double Bass repertoire. The piece was composed and performed while an
  undergraduate student and later by members of the Syracuse Symphony
  Orchestra. Then conductor, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, praised the composition and the
  performance. Although intended for the advanced player, it is a very playable
  yet challenging concert addition. the set includes 2 Scores, Individual
  parts, and Performance Notes from the composer. 
    
    
    
    (PLEASE NOTE: The recorded rendering on the JW Pepper catalogue page, as of
  this writing, is a FINALE Music Program rendition and clearly not a good
  performance example! I hope to provide a satisfactory performance at some
  time in the future.)

Duet Ala Proto

String Bass Duet

This much shortened arrangement of Bolero for string orchestra manages to
  give the young player the experience of this masterpiece by Ravel in a
  smaller setting. With the absence of the iconic snare drum part, the strings
  mimic that incessant rhythm as the gradual crescendo is achieved throughout.
  The accompaniment parts are very accessible, yet reasonably challenging to
  the younger player. Recurring rhythms, divisi, and simple fingerings make
  this arrangement a quick learn once the melody parts are mastered. Although
  the first violin parts offer a challenge to your best students, the reward is
  most assuredly worth the hard work. Enjoy this classic addition to any
  concert program.

Bolero

In this cleverly crafted arrangement, Mr. Karwacki melds together the
  Japanese Folk melody, Firefly, with melodic ideas and elements from Gustav
  Mahler's First Symphony, The Titan. The arrangement is designed for young
  beginner flute students playing side-by-side with three advanced Flute parts.
  Included in the ensemble are parts for two accomplished Double Bass players
  and Pianist. The composition was created at the request of Ellen Karwacki to
  be featured in a Suzuki Flute Clinic she hosted in Central New York. The
  opening is an abridged tribute to Mahler's own symphonic introduction and
  soon jumps to melodic material featuring the Double Bass. Once the mood and
  tempo are established, the Firefly tune is played by the young beginner flute
  students. As they repeat their Firefly theme, the rest of the group
  interweaves Mahler's tunes around it. The conclusion is an abbreviated return
  to the opening material and the piece quickly concludes.
    
    
    
    NOTE: Although this works best as Scored, an "Optional Cut"
  allows it to be performed without the Doublebass parts.

Firefly and The Titan

Flute Ensemble

Inspired by the classic Tolkien literary works, Lostloriels Elves and Dwarves has plenty for your strong Middle School and young High School students. The familiar rhythmic opening measures recur numerous times throughout the piece as your students explore a light-hearted Elf Theme based on a G-Major scale figure and a heavier Dwarf Theme based in E-minor. Mostly written in Common Time, there are a few simple meter changes thrown in throughout. A middle section transition to Triple meter allows the Cellos and Violas to shine with a new theme that combines some of the rhythmic and melodic elements from the previous sections. After a brief fermata, the piece works its way backwards through the original material to the Finale. Simple fingering and rhythms are utilized with plenty of syncopation, pizzicato, dynamic contrast, divisi, and bowing technique reinforcement to help strengthen your students skills. A simple Percussion part calls for Triangle and a small Bass Drum. (NOTE: The bass drum part can be augmented to include a hammer on an Anvil or Brake Drum). Sure to be a crowd pleaser, Lostloriels Elves and Dwarves will be a fun and exciting piece to add to your list of favorites.

Lostloriel's Elves and Dwarves

Exodus will expose your students to the strong rhythmic fury of Stravinskys The Rite of Spring in this latest addition to Mr. Karwackis catalogue of compositions. A trudging exposition explores parallel chromatic movement, syncopations, accented outbursts, troublesome dissonances, and an incessant ostinato in the bass. After the tension and apprehension has built to a climax, a sudden calm arrives..Only to be answered by the violent pounding of the tutti orchestra in a short-lived burst of excitement. A Grand Pause interrupts and Exodus reflects quickly on the material from the exposition and ends as silently as it began. Utilizing simple harmonics, ties, repeated patterns and lots of good solid counting, your moderately advanced Middle Schoolers can get a taste of modern Neo-Classicism. This original arrangement divides the Violins into 4 distinct sections (NOTE: An abridged version of Exodus with standard Violin 1 and 2 will be forthcoming).

Exodus

The melodic material from Beethoven's repertoire is undoubtedly some of
  the most beautiful to choose from and the 7th Symphony Allegretto is no
  exception. 
    
    
    
    The Ithaca College Double Bass Quartet toured mid-western colleges and high
  schools in the Spring of 1978 with culminating concerts at the National MENC
  Convention in Chicago and at Northwestern University. A constant in the
  group's repertoire was this arrangement. It was constructed to feature each
  of the members of the Quartet. The piece requires extended high-range playing
  from each member of the group and is intended for advanced student players or
  professionals.
    
    Good luck and please let me know how you enjoy it.

Allegretto Symphony No. 7

String Bass Quartet

Beethoven's music and remarkable melodies are the cornerstone of all Classical Music and his 7th Symphony is no exception. This arrangement is an adaptation from an original made for Double Bass Quartet. Some modifications have been made from the foregoing to accommodate the unique differences of the Cello. The Ithaca College Double Bass Quartet toured mid-western colleges and high schools in the Spring of 1978 with culminating concerts at the National MENC Convention in Chicago and at Northwestern University. A constant in the repertoire was Mr. Karwacki's  arrangement of the Second Movement of Beethovens 7th Symphony. The arrangement was constructed to feature each of the members of the Quartet. The piece requires extended high-range playing from each member of the group and is intended for advanced student players or professionals.

Cello Quartet

Fundango was inspired partially for the need to get viola players
  involved with using their "pinky finger" on the left-hand. The
  result is a Spanish-flavored piece that brings forth pictures of brave
  matadors dancing with their capes flying. After a sparkling introduction
  features the percussion section and a brief recitative that quotes from
  Rodrigo's famous Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar, the orchestra launches
  into action. The Violas share the lead with the Violins first and then with
  the Cellos next. Featured melodies are constantly supported by pizzicato and
  percussion accompaniment. The melodic sections are separated by chopped out
  chords and just as the orchestra is settling into the mood and tunefulness,
  the suspense begins to build into a frenzied accelerando to the finish.
    
    Fundango will challenge your students with some quick changes from
  arco-pizz-arco, violin 3rd position fingering (and some 4th pos.), tremolo
  effects, hooked bowing, and some quick tempos. The Tambourine and Castanets
  are the main percussion and the optional Drum Set part can be substituted
  using traditional orchestral percussion.

Fundango

An easy playing flowing  time piece that works on both conventional and
  holiday concert programs, Dreaming of Presents features lush harmonies,
  plenty of dynamic exploration, and some simple syncopations. Originally
  composed for beginner strings as an alternative to standard holiday
  favorites, this updated arrangement has plenty of interesting parts for the
  growing confidence of the young player. Featured are a Solo Violin
  introduction, tremelo, divisi, subito p, a tempo, fermatas, and a very simple
  3rd position for the violins.
    
    
    
    You will surprised how good your students can sound with this simple
  melody, and so will they!

Dreaming of Presents

iSleuth!i has syncopation, simple melodies, pizzicato, moderately
  challenging bowing techniques, and a feature viola section soli. After an
  energetic ibuild-upi introduction, the journey begins as the march-like
  main theme is introduced. The main melody remains mostly the same throughout
  this short piece, but slight arrangement changes keep your students on their
  toes and your audience engaged. Your students will be honing old
  skills/techniques as they navigate through the musical landscape and have
  some brief opportunities to play low 1st &amp; 2nd fingers. A triumphant
  outro puts the search to an end.

Sleuth!

Caveman Strut has a strong rhythmic beat utilizing simple double-stops
  and suited for the confident middle-school string orchestra. Your students
  will have the opportunity to experience changing time signatures, enharmonic
  writing, and simple alternate fingerings in a simple setting. First violins
  get to show-off their 3rd position skills with an easily learned melody on
  the D &amp; A strings. Pairings of instruments, modern harmonies, and
  ostinatos make this piece interesting while still very accessible to young
  musicians. An optional vocal ending allows your students to imagine what it
  would be like to be a Caveman out for the day.

Caveman Strut

This is a fun piece that employs a recurring "back-beat" to set
  the "rock-feel" and simple repetitive rhythms that allow students
  to quickly master the simple syncopation. The introduction of multiple
  dynamic markings, articulations, and strong arecovery-bowinga will
  broaden the young player's experience. Exploration beyond the D &amp; A
  strings employs "mostly" familiar fingering, while students gain
  confidence playing on new strings. Learning to count carefully is always a
  challenge and this piece utilizes good opportunities to strengthen that
  skill.
    
    This piece is sure to please your students and get your audiences Rockin.

Rockin' Cordes

Global Sections - CORE [DO NOT TOUCH]*

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