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This lively, jumping piece is sure to get even the quietest student smiling! Using the keys of D & G major, Dance! is best suited to students who have been playing for 1-2 years. The key technique is the up-up bowing, prevalent through the whole piece; otherwise most of the parts are quite easy. Violas & celli should look out near the end for their C#’s!

"Bonnie Lass of Milngavie" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 0.5-1.0 Duration:1'37"

Pronounced “Mill-guy”, this sweet song in the style of a Scottish ballad holds a resonant D major sound & offers rich harmonies to a young string orchestra. Each line of the song has a printed pause at the end, which conductors can make as long or as short as they deem appropriate, so players must watch at all times.

"Chorale & Allegro" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 4 Duration: 4:55

Best suited to an advanced ensemble, Chorale & Allegro begins with a staggered-entry slow section, followed by an energetic Allegro which uses the main Chorale theme as its basis. Each section of the orchestra gets the melody at some stage; Violas require some treble clef, and Basses are required for this piece to work. There is plenty of room for expression at the Conductor's discretion in the Chorale, and plenty of opportunity to explore a wide dynamic range.

"Chorale in A" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle - score & parts

Grade: 2.5 Duration: 2'30"

The entire purpose of this work is for students at this level to consolidate fine intonation using C#’s & G#’s. Every instrument gets a chance to play these notes, and some instances are more challenging than others. The rhythms & melodies are deliberately very simple so that the whole ensemble can concentrate on pure intonation, especially for these less regular notes.

"Dark Sea Dances" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle - score & parts

Grade: 3.5 - 4 Duration: 3'30" & 3'30"

This pair of dance-like movements are designed to conjure up images of sea travel, in a form that sailors would have used to pass the time for an evening’s entertainment. Melodies passed around, inventive rhythms & harmonies – lots to enjoy here for a more advanced ensemble.

"Drought" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 4 Duration: 5'26"

While this piece doesn’t appear difficult on the surface, the challenge here lies in the ensemble work. Full of effects and unusual harmonics, Drought brings to mind images of baking plains and still summer days. Opening with a viola solo, the viola section states the melody first and then passes it around, even briefly to the basses. Take plenty of time, there’s no need to rush the tempo, make lots of space to create a still feeling.

"Introduction & Theme from Witches' Dance" for String Orchestra, arranged by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 2.5 Duration: 1'50"

A well-known favourite for young string players, the Theme is as most would remember it. The addition of the abridged Introduction offers contrasting sections with different requirements from the players. In the Introduction, aim for tight ensemble in the accompanying parts and expressive playing in the 1st violins. There are many tempo changes, which gives good reason for students to watch the conductor! Hooked bowing is the main focus of the Theme, something that can be difficult for players at this stage of their development but which is of course important to master.

"Jungle Suite" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 0.5-1.0 Duration: 2’28”, 1’45”, 2’51”

This suite contains three pieces in various keys and styles, caricaturing jungle animals. Whether it’s the heavy hippos dancing a ballet or the gentle giraffes swaying their long necks, students will enjoy these exciting pieces. Just mind out you don’t become the prey!

"Old MacDonald Suite" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 2 Duration: 1’48”, 1’20”, 1’58”

Old MacDonald Had A Bunch Of Animals......who really didn’t want to co-operate. This set was born out of a month of crazy ideas – chocolate cows, hens pecking here there and everywhere, and sheep that didn’t end up where they were supposed to! Tell the students to put their creative hats on and have fun with these three pieces. “Chicken Feed” requires precise staccato & pizzicato, “Waltz of the Chocolate Cows” invites players to indulge their bovilexia, & “Where Are My Sheep?!?” gives the violas a chance to shine. Rhythmically inspired by a popular children’s book, “Where Are My Sheep?!?” presents some less common rhythms to young players in a fun way.

"Perpetual Motion" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 2 Duration: 2'55"

Young students love to play fast! This piece gives them that chance, without the left hand having to match the speed of the right hand. Great for developing a relaxed bow arm with some sneaky arpeggios thrown in for good measure, this piece sounds best at a cracking pace and every section gets a turn at playing the semiquavers.

"Pizzicato Rush!" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 3 Duration: 1'15"

Great as a little encore piece, Pizzicato Rush! is exciting and joyful, exploring the keys of A major and F# minor. The 1st violins carry most of the melody, while the other parts interject with fun fragments here and there. Some 2nd and 3rd position is required by 1st & 2nd violins, and some 4th position by cellos. Have fun!

"Rainstorm" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 3 Duration: 4'09"

Beware the temptation to begin this piece too fast! The storm in the middle needs space to brew, and everyone needs time to fit in all the retakes. Set in D minor, Rainstorm begins ominously with pizzicato rain drops and a brooding melody. The height of the storm sees the full string orchestra in rhythmic unison yet dense harmonisation, which dissipates quickly and then gradually eases as the last of the storm passes. Chromatic scales are a feature in every part, and 1st & 2nd violins require some 3rd position.

"Rhumba" for String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 5 Duration: 2:07

Best suited to an executive ensemble, Rhumba conjures up all the atmosphere of the romantic dance, giving each section the melody except the basses. Includes na optional 1st violin improvisation and tenor clef for celli.

"Sixteen Snippets" for Beginner String Orchestra, by Alison Harbottle

Grade: 0.5 Duration: 17'11" total

This set presents 16 delightful pieces with piano accompaniment, designed as small performances pieces for ensembles of students in their 1st year of playing. Pieces range from open string pizzicato through to using both bow and left hand, as well as playing in unison and in parts, along with a variety of beginner-level rhythms & bowing styles. Fun for everyone! These pieces are not designed to be a tutor method, they are meant to supplement the teacher’s choice of tutor method.