Flexible String Ensemble-The Fiddle Fiesta became an important annual event for Bedfordshire Music Service at least thirty years ago and was the brainchild of a highly individual lady called Barbara Cann. The main purpose of this was to give less experienced string players an opportunity to play in a large ensemble; these young players were helped on such occasions by more senior students who were already experienced in ensemble playing perhaps in one of the youth orchestras. What began as an isolated event soon spread to many schools and nowadays 'Fiddle Fiestas' take place in numerous venues across the county every year usually during the summer term.This suite of shortmovements borrows its title from these annual events and is aimed at being performed under similar circumstances. Each of the five parts (violins 1 & 2 violas and/or violin 3 cellos and basses) exists as part 'a' and part 'b' part 'b' being a simplified version of part 'a' such that the piece can be played by virtually any combination of available players albeit with some loss of detail when played predominantly with parts 'b'. Additional string parts are available independently quickly and at little cost. Please do NOT photocopy this music!Individual parts for all Spartan Press ensembles are available separately quickly and inexpensively. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY.

This String Quintet (with two Violas or three Violins) was composed in 1799. It is tuneful and straightforward and suitable for players who are not yet at the standard required to play the Mozart Dvorak or Brahms quintets with two Violas. This edition has the advantage of having a third Violin part included if two Viola players are not available. Johann Michael Haydn was the younger brother of his much more famous older brother Franz Joseph commonly regarded as the 'father' of the classical String Quartet format.