For Wind Orchestra and opt. Solo Fiddle. Composed by Johan De Meij. Amstel Music. Irish, Folk. Softcover. 46 pages. Amstel Music #AM143-140. Published by Amstel Music (HL.4005098).

(Incorporating In the Bleak Midwinter by Gustav Holst and Gloria in Excelsis). Composed by Larry Clark. For string orchestra. Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series. Grade 2-2.5. Score and parts. Published by Carl Fischer

Chamber Music String Quartet

SKU: CF.BF168

Score. Composed by Cecile Chaminade, English Folk Song, Franz Joseph Haydn, George Frideric Handel, Gustav Holst, Jean Sibelius, Jean-Baptiste Lully, Joseph (José) White, Louise Farrenc, Ludwig van Beethoven, Tielman Susato, Welsh Folk Song, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and etc. Arranged by Kathryn Griesinger. Collection - Score. Carl Fischer Music #BF168. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.BF168).

ISBN 9781491165577. UPC: 680160924615.

Performing in a string quartet is a special experience when first learning to play a string instrument. Consisting of two violins, one viola, and one cello, the ensemble features the beauty of each instrument’s unique timbre and range. The 25 pieces in this collection have been carefully arranged for developing musicians in their first years of playing. Ranging from grade 1 to grade 2, each piece uses easy key signatures and accessible ranges in a variety of styles and tempi. Spanning several centuries, these pieces include works from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Post-Romantic eras. Representing many countries and cultures, this collection also includes music by women composers Louise Farrenc, Cécile Chaminade, Mélanie Bonis, Louise Reichardt, and Amy Beach. Ideal for recitals and adjudicated events, this compilation of approachable music promises developing string players a rewarding first introduction to the string quartet.

Composed by Gustav Holst (1874-1934). Arranged by Larry Moore. Pops For String Quartet. Holiday, Christmas, Winter. Published by Hal Leonard

Chamber Music String Quartet

SKU: PR.14440727S

Composed by Sydney F. Hodkinson. Sws. Full score. 44 pages. Duration 22 minutes. Merion Music #144-40727S. Published by Merion Music (PR.14440727S).

UPC: 680160681907. 9 x 12 inches.

My Eighth and Ninth String Quartets, begun in late 2017, are sonic cousins. Akin to real cousins, each piece exhibits differing natures. They were requested by two ensembles that have become asecond familiesa to me: The Jupiter Quartet of Urbana, Illinois and the Amernet Quartet based in Miami, Florida. Their collective dedication to, and care for, our art remains a personal and constant are-fuelinga for me. The quartets were commissioned by, and dedicated to, Margaret and Philip Verleger of Denver, Colorado. Additional financial support was provided by the School of Music at Stetson University, Timothy Peter, Dean. Quartet No.8 is laid out in a classical four-movement design. The work does break somewhat from conventional tradition by often placing quartet members into soloistic roles as the movement titles note. individual The opening piece presents at the outset a three-note motto which is turned over, tumbled, and energetically discussed, primarily by a violin duet. It is a duel. The two players part company only infrequently during the movement's progress, pausing briefly for other commentary by their alower cohortsa, the Viola and Cello do not argue, but abet their friends' aeffortsa. The piece's overall character is fairly bright and dancelike, closing in an unresolvedastandoffa. not Two principal asound-objectsa stitch the second movement scherzo together: sliding hands (glissandos) and a plucked ashufflea (pizzicato) - both instigated by the (solo) cellist. The others are influenced - or are not - by their aleadera, and follow - or interrupt - the cello throughout their four-voiced conversation. The third movement (longest of the set) is an elegy dedicated to the memory of a close personal friend, the American composer David Maslanka (1943 - 2017). Its' genesis is a simple 5-note melody derived from my own name (SaC/DaC/EaC/H). This line commences in the (solo) viola and is obsessively uttered without relief during the movement's lamentations. The closing movement revisits much of that opening three-note material, but now dressed up for the full quartet to view. It is a slowly accelerating romp which - twice - cannot avoid a nod to the Amernet and Jupiter performers by offering a humble bow to the 4th movement of Gustav Holst's PLANETS - Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity. My quartet serves as an honouring salute of thanks for the talent, respect, and friendship of these two young quartets. STRING QUARTET No. 8 is roughly 22 minutes in duration. It was written as an homage to Franz Joseph Haydn, my adesert-island-composera, and completed in Holly Hill, Florida in early April of 2019. S.H.

Holiday: Christmas, Saddle- stitched. Christmas. Book/insert/online audio. 120 pages. Mel Bay Publications, Inc #31037M. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc