Back-stick dance

Another lively junior piece with very beginner-friendly violin 2 and cello 2 parts: Back-stick dance, a traditional scandinavian dance game ("Kjeppryggedans" in Norwegian).

Junior Suite 2: Rainy Reggae

This is the second of the three little pieces for junior strings that together form a "Junior Suite". The pieces have an optional viola part, and the double bass part may also be played by cellos (in this movement the double bass part is optional).

Part three of the Junior Suite coming soon! :)

Junior Suite 1: Arrival of the Acrobats

This is the first of three little pieces for junior strings that together form a "Junior Suite". The pieces have an optional viola part, and the double bass part may also be played by cellos.

I have given the first violins some technically challenging tasks in this suite, while the second violins get to stay in fairly safe territory...

Stand by for part two! :)

Hopp, vennen min – Jump, little friend

Another traditional tune for the juniors, this time from Solør in southeastern Norway. 

Here the parts are marked with individual dynamics. The original tune moves through all the parts, but it's always marked f (starting in the cellos at bar 5, then the second violins take over at bar 9 etc.). The point is that everyone should be able to hear which part has the tune. After all, one of the most important lessons in beginners' ensemble playing is learning to listen to the others!

Note: If any of the cellists don't play in fourth position yet, they may skip the short intro and start playing at letter A.

Saint James Infirmary Blues

Time for another youth orchestra piece! Shorter and less technically demanding than the Grieg Lyric Pieces, this melancoly melody is nice for working on a rich, warm string orchestra sound.

Camptown Races

This is actually a two-part arrangement of a well known minstrel melody. The first part (violin 1/cello 1) is the tune itself. The second part (violin 2/cello 2) is very simple, but still melodious. It should be well suited for a beginner who is just learning the notes in first position on the D string.

If all your orchestra players are of similar age and ability, why not switch parts on the repeat? That way the violins may play part 2 and the cellos part 1 the first time, and vice versa the cecond time.

Ach, du lieber Augustin

Another piece for the youngest string players: a little German waltz tune reminiscient of old music boxes!

Billy Boy

A new piece for junior strings: my arrangement of the North American traditional tune Billy Boy!
The viola part is optional, i.e. if you're lucky enough to have a viola section in your orchestra, it may replace the cello 1 section (and vice versa).

Like in my other Junior pieces, the second violin part is a little easier to play than the first. Also the cello 1 part is slightly more technically challenging than the cello 2 part. But my goal is, as always, that every player should have a part that's interesting enough to be practiced at home!

Mattachins – Old French Sword Dance

This little arrangement was written for the same orchestra as Dudlebska. All the parts are quite easy to play, although the second violin part is a little easier than the first. A nice piece for working on dynamics!

Grieg: Three Lyric Pieces – 3. Halling

Part three of the Three Lyric Pieces by Edvard Grieg. The Halling is a traditional Norwegian dance in which a male dancer gets to show off his athletic skills:

The viola part may be substituted for the cello 1 part.

I appreciate your views on my arrangements! :)

Grieg: Three Lyric Pieces – 2. Vals

Part two of the Three Lyric Pieces by Edvard Grieg is a charming little waltz, with a more stormy presto part in the middle:

The viola part may be substituted for the Cello 1 part.

Lyric Pieces part three is coming soon...

Grieg: Three Lyric Pieces – 1. Springdans

This is my arrangement of three of Edvard Grieg's lyric pieces, for youth string orchestra.
Edvard Grieg was one of the national romantic composers of the late 19th century, and his work is very much inspired by Norwegian folk music. This arrangement is written for a youth orchestra with two cello groups, but I also provide a viola part which may be substituted for the cello 1 part. The piano part is written with a student in mind.

I hope you enjoy these pieces with their distinctive Norwegian style!

Part two is coming soon...

Dudlebska – Czech polka

Let's start out with a lively Czech polka for junior strings!
This is written with violin and cello players aged seven to eleven in mind. The first violin part is slightly more demanding than the second violin part, but all the parts should be easy enough so that the orchestra can play this piece fairly fast, which is always fun!

Enjoy! And please let me know how you like it :-)