America the Beautiful

Samuel A. Ward Arranged by Jason W. Krug
Grade: 3

The tune is a staple of patriotic celebrations for its lush textural imagery and its luscious, flowing melody. Smooth, even bowing and a delicate, musical touch are the name of the game here. All musicians should be aware of who has the melody while it moves from section to section.

American Hoedown

Mark Barnard
Grade: 2

American Hoedown is an original composition for string orchestra. Featuring themes from “Old MacDonald”, “Yankee Doodle” and “Boil ’em Cabbage Down”, it is sure to be a hit with students and audiences alike. The well-known melodies move throughout orchestra, giving each section an opportunity to shine. Familiar finger patterns are reinforced in new keys and on new strings, making this an excitement selection for the elementary or early-middle school orchestra.

Arise

American Folk Melody Arranged by Josh Bauder, Kirk Moss
Grade: 4

Arise is a setting of the American folk tune Restoration, first published in 1835 in Southern Harmony, a popular shape-note tunebook compiled by William Walker. Known for its dark, modal beauty, the tune has been paired with several hymn texts over time. This arrangement highlights a wide range of textures, including long pedal tones, planing chords, a sprightly triplet countermelody, canonic layering, and rich augmentation. Carefully crafted for developing ensembles, Arise offers both a rewarding musical challenge and a poignant, expressive moment in performance.

Bandana Sketches

Clarence Cameron White Arranged by Steve Olson
Grade: 4

Introduce your string orchestra to the powerful sounds of African-American spirituals with Bandana Sketches, by Clarence Cameron White, arranged by Steve Olson. Originally composed for violin and piano in 1918, this four-movement work showcases different characters and styles in each movement, incorporating syncopated rhythms and position work for all sections. Includes: “Nobody Knows de Trouble I’ve Seen”, “I’ll Troubled in Mind”, “Many Thousand Gone” and “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”. Your top players in first violin and cello will shine in the solo parts, but they’re not overly extensive. With its variety of keys and solo opportunities for all sections, this Grade 4 piece will be an excellent addition to your advanced orchestra’s repertoire.

Canaan Land and the Good Old Way: Hymns from the Sacred Harp Tradition

Ether M. Brown, William Walker Arranged by Daniel Levitov
Grade: 2

The Sacred Harp singing tradition is a uniquely American genre that dates back to late 18th Century New England. It is designed to be performed by those who do not have any formal training and thus utilizes shape-note notation. Participants often speak of the emotional impact of performing these works and attend special conferences devoted to Sacred Harp singing. The source material for this arrangement comes from The Southern Harmony, by William Walker, and The Colored Sacred Harp, a work written by African-Americans for use in Black churches, mainly in the South. This work provides an opportunity to work on ensemble skills, bow technique, and intonation in an interesting and historically relevant work.

Early American Carols

Traditional Arranged by Martha Bishop
Grade: 4

A collection of early American Carols with position work for violin and cello. Includes: “Star in the East”, “Exultation” and the more fiddle style tune, “Kentucky Wassail”.

Fantasia on American Themes

Mark Barnard
Grade: 3

Based on well-known melodies, Fantasia on American Themes features every section of the ensemble through beautiful harmonies and flowing countermelodies. With slow to moderate tempo markings, much emphasis is placed on bow control, sound production, ensemble technique, and other pedagogical aspects. This rich string adaptation contains independent parts for all instruments, with voicing resembling that of a studio orchestra. Careful consideration has been made for the greatest playability and accessibility amongst all levels of string orchestras.

Ellis Island Remembered

Susan H. Day
Grade: 3

Painting a musical picture of immigrants coming to New York, this expressive piece in c and d minor features a middle section that will spotlight a string quartet of first chair or first stand players.

Fantasia on Shenandoah

Mark Barnard
Grade: 3

This arrangement of the popular American folk song in C and D Major contains lush melodies, countermelodies, harmonies and interesting independent parts for all.

John Hardy Dances

Traditional Arranged by Bob Lipton
Grade: 3

This arrangement of the folk tune John Hardy is set as a waltz and belly dance as well as in its original fiddle origins. Great for your second year group!

The Journey West

Kevin Sluder
Grade: 3

The Journey West is an evocative Grade 3 string work that transports students into the heart of American westward expansion—highlighting both the hope of settlers and the struggle of Native peoples. With sweeping themes in both major and parallel minor keys, this piece offers rich opportunities for teaching mixed finger patterns, brushed bow strokes, and 8th-note syncopation. Featuring strong parts for all sections, including independent moments for 2nd violins, this composition also encourages meaningful, cross-curricular discussions about history, hardship, and the universal search for home. A compelling journey in both music and meaning.

The Liberty Bell

John Philip Sousa Arranged by Mitchell Bender
Grade: 3

This jaunty Sousa march is expertly arranged for string orchestra. This engaging and fun work is an excellent educational tool for a variety of bowings and sudden dynamic contrasts. Who said strings can’t march?

Lift Every Voice and Sing

J. Rosamond Johnson, James Weldon Johnson Arranged by Bob Lipton
Grade: 2

Widely recognized as the African-American National Anthem, this powerful piece is moving and packed with emotion. A short chorale with introduction into 6/8 time, this is a great selection for any graduation or end of the year performance.

Mountain Medley

Marcia Stockton
Grade: 2

An exuberant and fun setting of three American folk songs of the Old West, featuring significant melodic opportunities for all performers and all instruments. The violin and viola parts remain in 1st position. The cellos have several shifts to 2nd position, otherwise all 1st position. The bass part generally doubles the cellos.

The Olde Mill

Marcia Stockton
Grade: 3

This piece depicts an old-time water wheel in operation, capturing the wheel’s rhythmic power with the background drip of water, woven together with original energetic themes of American pioneer life. As a massive machine that sometimes speeds up or slows down, exaggerated tempo flexibility can help tell the water wheel’s story. There are brief divisi in the cello and violin II parts. The upper cellos will need 4th position. The bass part is independent from the cellos.

Ride That Chariot

Reynard Burns
Grade: 4

Arranged for string orchestra, Ride that Chariot is a medley of three Spirituals including: “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”, “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen”, “Ride That Chariot”.

Spoon River

Percy Grainger Arranged by Meaghan Clayton
Grade: 3

Originally an American folk-dance fiddle tune, this piece features contrasting styles and significant attention to detail.

The Star-Spangled Banner

John Stafford Smith Arranged by Sandra Dackow
Grade: 1

This arrangement of the national anthem is pitched in the singer-friendly key of G major. It begins with the famous drum roll in the cellos and basses.

Steal Away

Traditional Arranged by Robert Sieving
Grade: 3

Based on the popular African-American Spiritual, this fresh arrangement places emphasis on style and expression.

When Freedom Calls

Gael Berberick
Grade: 2

Partner song using We Shall Overcome with a newly created melody called When Freedom Calls. This piece is available with beginning strings parts making it a perfect choice for festivals or large group concerts.