PARTITIONS GRATUITES :
- Walking to the Sky - Percussion 4

(Words and Chords to Nearly 1200 Songs 9x12 Spiral Bound). Edited by Annie Patterson and Peter Blood. For Vocal. Vocal. Softcover. 304 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

(Words and Chords to Nearly 1200 Songs Spiral-Bound). Edited by Annie Patterson and Peter Blood. For Vocal. Vocal. Softcover. 304 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

The Piano Bench of Easy Classical Music arranged by Amy Appleby. For Piano Solo. Music Sales America. Classical. Softcover. 400 pages. Music Sales #AM967549. Published by Music Sales

by Stacy Phillips. For fiddle. All styles, fiddle tunes. Level: Multiple Levels. Book. Solos. Size 8.75x11.75. 268 pages. Published by Mel Bay Pub., Inc.

Piano Solo - Easy-Intermediate

SKU: FP.FBS03

Composed by Sarah Baker. Sheet Music and Books. Nine pieces on a day time theme for solo piano, by Sarah Baker. Suggested grade 4-5. Classical. Collection. Forsyths Publications #FBS03. Published by Forsyths Publications (FP.FBS03).

ISBN 9790570500192.

Sara h Baker is Vocal Composer in Residence at Education Music Services, an ABRSM examiner and a well known composer of songs and musicals for primary schools and massed-choral events.

All this experience has come together in the creation of this album of piano pieces, inspired by growing up in the Chiltern Hills. Suitable for players of around grade 4-5 standard, her evocative sound pieces describe a crash-landing hot air balloon, garden invading cows and a even a snake in a pond!

Air Balloon!: One vivid memory I have as a child is of the day that a hot air balloon passed over our house and made an emergency landing on the road in front! The sound of the gas being blown into the balloon to try to keep it high enough to pass the house sounded so loud and intimidating, and then there was the bustle of the neighbours as we all went out into the street to watch. It was both terrifying and exhilarating to watch the balloon float past and then land so near by.

Buzzards Circling: There is something so calming and restful about watching birds of prey circling in the thermal currents of a summer sky. Growing up in the Chilterns gave me plenty of opportunity to watch buzzards and red kites. This piano solo captures the beauty of their flight as they glide so effortlessly through the air.

There’ s A Cow In The Garden Eating The Flowers: Inspired by the memory of seeing an unexpected cow in the garden! This surreal image is captured in a quirky waltz, as I portray both the absurdity of the moment and the sense of wonder I felt as a child, looking out of the window and seeing the cow walking round and eating the flowers. The final phrase articulates my longing: ‘I wish it would come again’.

Wat ching The World Go By: A short, reflective piece, remembering what it was like to have time to just sit and watch the world go by from my bedroom window.

Autumn Skies: A miniature about the beauty of Autumn skies and the poignant sense of loss for a summer gone. Friends I was fortunate to have several children of my own age living close by. We seemed to be forever making dens, playing out in the street and generally enjoying each other’s company. This piece reflects that sense of well-being.

Snake In The Pond: One hot summer I was astonished and scared to see a grass snake cooling off in our garden pond! I watched, both horrified and fascinated, as it rose up from the depths and then disappeared again. Here I portray the sense of the hazy summer afternoon as I peacefully watched the tiny movements of fish in the pond, contrasted with the fear and excitement of seeing the snake appear.

Morning Commute: I recollect many mornings stuck in traffic as my Dad took me to school on his way to work. There is one main road out of the village where I grew up, and that got more and more congested the closer we got to the town. We may not have chatted a lot, but it was always good to be together with my Dad, lost in our own thoughts.

The Witch’s Cottage: My siblings and I had a fascination with a small cottage nearby. It was set back from the road in a dark part of the woods and we called it 'the witch's cottage’. Every time we passed, I imagined I heard the distant cackle of the witch and wished I could catch a glimpse of her.

These pieces are written to complement my other collection, Night Time Impressions, which also draw on childhood recollections, particularly of the woods behind the house where I grew up. - Sarah Baker 2023.

Orchestra Cello, Contrabass, Piano, Viola, Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 - Grade 3.5

SKU: CF.CAS110

Composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Arranged by Bud Caputo. Concert String Orchestra (CAS). Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 24+24+6+15+15+15+7+24 pages. Duration 5:57. Carl Fischer Music #CAS110. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CAS110).

ISBN 9781491151297. UPC: 680160908790. 9 x 12 inches. Key: E minor.

Bud Caputo presents Nutcracker Suite Selections for string orchestra featuring three abridged movements of?Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite:?Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, March, and Trepak. These abridged movements are sure to be crowd-pleasers around the?winter holidays or a favorite for?any time of the year.
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va< span class=s4> passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert. Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm. 16-19, in the Basses and m. 34 in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandos in this movement. March: Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-rest figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement to accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble..
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va< span class=s4> passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert.A Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm.A 16-19, in the Basses and m.A 34A in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandosA in this movement. March: A Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-restA figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement toA accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: A Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble..
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va< span class=s4> passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert.A Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm.A 16-19, in the Basses and m.A 34A in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandosA in this movement. March: A Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-restA figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement toA accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: A Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble..
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va< span class=s4> passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert. Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm. 16-19, in the Basses and m. 34 in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandos in this movement. March: Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-rest figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement to accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble..
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert. Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm. 16-19, in the Basses and m. 34 in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandos in this movement. March: Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-rest figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement to accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble.
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert.  Suitable for Grades 3 through 5.To the Director:Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm. 16-19, in the Basses and m. 34 in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandos in this movement. March:  Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-rest  figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement to accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak:  Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble.

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

Thi s series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians

Orchestra Cello, Contrabass, Piano, Viola, Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 - Grade 3.5

SKU: CF.CAS110F

Composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Arranged by Bud Caputo. Concert String Orchestra (CAS). Full score. With Standard notation. 24 pages. Carl Fischer Music #CAS110F. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CAS110F).

ISBN 9781491151662. UPC: 680160909162. 9 x 12 inches.

Bud Caputo presents Nutcracker Suite Selections for string orchestra featuring three abridged movements of?Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite:?Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, March, and Trepak. These abridged movements are sure to be crowd-pleasers around the?winter holidays or a favorite for?any time of the year.
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va< span class=s4> passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert. Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm. 16-19, in the Basses and m. 34 in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandos in this movement. March: Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-rest figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement to accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble..
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va< span class=s4> passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert.A Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm.A 16-19, in the Basses and m.A 34A in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandosA in this movement. March: A Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-restA figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement toA accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: A Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble..
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va< span class=s4> passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert.A Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm.A 16-19, in the Basses and m.A 34A in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandosA in this movement. March: A Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-restA figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement toA accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: A Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble..
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va< span class=s4> passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert. Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm. 16-19, in the Basses and m. 34 in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandos in this movement. March: Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-rest figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement to accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble..
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert. Suitable for Grades 3 through 5. To the Director: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm. 16-19, in the Basses and m. 34 in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandos in this movement. March: Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-rest figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement to accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak: Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble.
This arrangement will challenge students, while fostering rhythmic independence, execution of bowing and pizzicato, and the ability to balance the melody with the accompaniment throughout the arrangement. However, ranges remain primarily in first position with some optional 8va passages, allowing intermediate groups to perform this in time for the winter holiday concert.  Suitable for Grades 3 through 5.To the Director:Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: A steady tempo is critical when performing this movement, as students may have a tendency to rush during the pizzicato sections. There is a regularly occurring descending sixteenth-note rhythmic figure that is transcribed form the bass clarinet part in the original. It is important to maintain clarity and balance in performing these passages as seen in mm. 16-19, in the Basses and m. 34 in the Cello and Bass. The balancing of the chords will be a challenge in the execution of the many sforzandos in this movement. March:  Measures 2 and 4, and similar melodic patterns that follow, require the performers to carefully balance their forte/pianos on beats 3 and 4, along with the rapid diminuendo. The contrasting rhythmic patterns in mm. 5-8, and later throughout this movement must line up precisely. Strings playing the pizzicato eight note, walking bass line, must not rush, and the upper strings playing the eighth-note/eight-rest  figure must follow their section leaders in executing this in a unified manner. While there is no formal tempo change from mm. 40 to 41, directors may need to relax the tempo at the beginning of the movement to accommodate the technical challenge of the double time feel that happens in m. 41. Trepak:  Tchaikovsky was careful to notate the p, f and sf, requiring the performers to recognize the difference between all three markings that frame the chief melody. The upper strings must be careful to support the melody in the lower strings that begins in m. 33. Directors will challenge their students to have fun in the last twelve measures with the accelerando passage to the end. Care must be taken to use an accelerando that works for all the players in the particular ensemble.

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

Thi s series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians