This pack contains over 900 pages of music for mixed ability ensembles. There are 4 original pieces and 5 Christmas pieces, as follows:


The Mixed Abilities School Ensemble Series

Children (and adults) who learn a musical instrument will always progress at different rates.Students also develop some of the many skills involved in instrumental playing faster than other skills.

The Mixed Abilities School Ensemble Series has the flexibility to allow pupils of different standards to play together in one ensemble (up to five parts). It also encourages students to develop improvisation skills by providing soloing opportunities within all parts, with suggested pitches for improvising.

Each piece has five different parts which are split into four ability levels as follows:

A ? Range of about 5 notes, easy rhythms. B ? Range of about 1 octave, basic rhythms. C ? Range of about a 12th, some more difficult rhythms. D ? Range of about 2 octaves, some rhythmic complexity.

This enables the teacher to select parts which are suitable for the standard of individual players in the group. As a general rule, the pieces have been composed as follows:

Part 1 ? melody / countermelody (alternates with Part 2)

Part 2 ? melody / countermelody (alternates with Part 1)

Part 3 ? accompaniment (synchronises with Part 4)

Part 4 ?accompaniment (synchronises with Part 3)

Part 5 ? bass line (independent)

Each part also comes in a wide array of transpositions, clefs and pitches. Hence, almost any combination of instruments can play together in an ensemble of mixed abilities,including:

Flutes, clarinets, saxophones, mixed woodwind, trumpets, mixed brass (including brass band), violins, strings, keyboards/pianos, tuned percussion.

An ensemble using any combination of instruments (as is often found within schools) will work effectively as well.

Example: A quintet might be selected as follows:

1A (violin), 2C(trumpet), 3B (clarinet), 4B (tenor sax), 5D (trombone)

The melody in 1A would be very simple but would contrast nicely when passed to the more difficult 2C. Parts 3B and 4B will have quite a simple accompaniment between them, whilst the bass line on 5D will be more complex and rhythmically interesting. Parts can obviously be doubled up as well beyond five players.

Please note that the teacher of the ensemble should be careful to pick parts which are well-suited to the players? abilities.

This pack includes all four pieces in the series (volumes 1 and 2) as follows:

BANANA BLUES is a 12-bar Blues piece

CRAZY LATIN! has additional parts for Latin percussion commonly found in the classroom

IT'S TIME FOR REGGAE! is a reggae piece

FEEL THE FUNK brings funky, James Brown-esque rhythms into the classroom.

Please listen to the mp3 file, which is an electronic example of a typical classroom setup.

Score and all parts are included here in a variety of pitches, clefs and transpositions. It is the complete package with over 680 pages of music, representing a massive saving on individual purchase prices.



5 Christmas pieces:

Each piece is arranged into 13 different parts which cater for the large majority of musicians within school. These include:

* a variety of difficulties in C, B flat, E flat, higher octave for flutes and alto clef for violas

* easy and standard bass parts in treble and bass clefs, and also in B flat and E flat for saxophones or brass band players

* very easy violin and viola parts on open strings only

* easy and standard piano parts

* ukulele part in tab, chord patterns and chord letters

* guitar part in tab, chord patterns and chord letters

* general chord plan in chord letters

Teachers / band leaders can select the parts which are most appropriate for their students. The music is intended to be repeated a number of times, with different parts coming in and out for each repeat to create variety.

Printing and Copying

The purchaser may print or copy all pages of this resource as required in order to facilitate a performance, but must not distribute to others.

** Also check out my Scales and Arpeggios Pack - excellent methods for learning scales and arpeggios at all levels (copy and paste into new tab) https://tinyurl.com/y8wl3qnq **

Ten advanced piano arrangements in slightly different styles to interest most pianists.

The Old Rugged Cross
Arranged for advanced pianists with traditional old church
feel.

7 pages. Keys of G-flat, A, and B.

At The Cross
This arrangement begins very open and free, enticing the
listener to reflect on the words of the old hymns. As the arrangement
continues, the music progresses in complexity, ending with a hint of Southern
Gospel flair.

5 pages. Keys of E-flat and C.

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
A slow-paced, thought-provoking arrangement of ?When I
Survey? with a notable left hand portion.

6 pages. Keys of C, B-flat, and D-flat.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Arranged with an epic flavor for advanced pianists, full of
arpeggios and octaves.

5 pages. Keys of E minor and A minor.

Beneath The Cross Of Jesus
An old hymn reimagined with lush, moving chords for advanced
pianists.

6 pages. Keys of C, B-flat, and G.

I Stand Amazed In The Presence
Advanced piano hymn solo with a light jazz/easy listening
flavor.

4 pages. Key of E-flat.

Hallelujah! What A Savior (Man Of Sorrows, What A Name)
The old favorite is combined with a unique and original
melody in this advanced solo hymn arrangement.

4 pages. Key of A-flat.

At Calvary
A Southern Gospel flavor in an advanced piano setting.

6 pages. Keys of A and F-sharp major.

Down At The Cross (Glory To His Name)
A reflective arrangement for advanced solo church pianists.

5 pages. Keys of D and B-flat.

Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross (In The Cross)
A lilting arrangement of ?In the Cross? for advanced
pianists with a small hint of jazz.

5 pages. Keys of D, B-flat, and E-flat.