Books in the Highland String Orchestra (Hso series

Students will love Shipwreck Coast---a dark and stormy piece by Erica Donahoe! Cello and string bass players will enjoy digging into the opening melody, and all members of the orchestra will be challenged with an exciting and rewarding musical journey. (3:30)

Beginning string students will have a diabolically good time with this all-pizzicato selection. Gleefully sinister melodies pass between all sections and simple quarter and half note accompaniment parts help keep everyone together. The optional piano accompaniment sets the pace with even 8th notes, helping young players subdivide their rhythms. Part independence and note range are minimized while doubling and repetition are emphasized, making this an easy piece for kids to master. Midnight Mischief by Doug Spata is a fun piece that kids will love to play while supporting essential ensemble playing and listening skills. (2:05) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

On the Open Seas is an exciting new sea chantey by Susan H. Day. Written because sea-faring voyagers are always looking for their next adventure on the open seas! This piece is written in E minor, 4/4 time, and features a spirited, memorable melody, detache bowing, easy rhythms, accents, pizzicato, and fun for all! Bass and cello double, and viola rhythms double 2nd violin rhythms throughout for ease of teaching. Optional piano adds harmonic color. Perfect for any concert occasion, students and teachers will want to keep performing this one! (2:00) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Both the bleak Russian midwinter landscape and the joyful celebration of a fall harvest festival are conveyed in this string arrangement by Andrew H. Dabczynski, of Autumn and Winter from Alexander Glazunov's ballet The Seasons. The expressive contrasts in this motivating set will make it a favorite of all. Optional parts for more advanced students, as well as supplementary percussion and piano parts make it an excellent concert choice for intermediate or even upper-level orchestras. (3:30) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Jim Palmer's arrangement of Music for the Royal Fireworks is an exciting two-movement work that is perfect for your young string orchestra. The movements work together or are effective played on their own. Terraced dynamics and authentic articulations will help your students gain an understanding of music from the Baroque era. A perfect opener or closer to any concert. (3:15) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

The folk-like tune of Ruby Mountain Serenade may seem familiar but is in fact an original tune from composer John Atteberry. Beginning in D major, this graceful tone poems opens intimately, with optional soloists from each section. Following the introduction, all sections of the orchestra work to guide the music through statements of the primary and secondary themes, leading to a smooth modulation to F major and an emotional climax. A great opportunity for young musicians to explore programmatic music. (3:00) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Written as a metaphor for the hardship and isolation caused by the 2020 pandemic, this dramatic tone poem is a testament to courage and the undaunted nature of the human spirit. The piece follows the voyage of a ship and its crew to the open sea and into a devastating storm resulting in the separation of the crew and its ultimate reunion. The memorable melodies and stirring harmonies are sure to peak your students' imaginations while a variety of key and time signatures will challenge every section of the advanced string orchestra. A percussion part has been included to add touches of nautical color, resulting in an emotional, picturesque voyage with a cinematic flair. Check out Voyagers We, Undaunted by Richard Meyer! (6:40) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Orchid by Yukiko Nishimura is a lyrical piece with a warm and lovely chord progression that brings delicate emotion to the incredibly beautiful melody line. Your string orchestra will perform expressively as they play from the heart. (3:30) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.