I have to run a string group in one of my schools. There are:

2 very competent grade 6 players who can improvise as well
I viola of about grade 3 level
2 violins of about grade 3 level
3 violins of about grade 2 level
1 violin of about grade 1 level
3 beginner violinists who are just learning 3rd finger

The problem is one of repertoire! I've got them playing an array of repertoire ranging from Pachelbel Canon to the Titanic theme, plus a growing range of world music from Chinese to Romany to reggae, using backing CD's, but it's quite difficult to find things that they all want to play.

For instance, the girls love playing the Titanic theme but all the boys (particlularly the grade sixers) moan and groan and say "do we have to play this?" The older boys love the jazz and the folk but then the younger ones go "can't we play Titanic again?"

I've worked out all these complex arrangements so that there are challenging parts for the more advanced students and simple open string or two-fingered parts for the beginners, but the difficulty is of finding something they all really enjoy equally and get something out of.

They've already played (and enjoyed) the Pink Panther, the James Bond theme, the Flintstones theme and all the other tried and tested popular pieces and are eager to move onto other stuff, but what?

Do any of you out there running violin ensembles know any brilliant repertoire with great parts for all levels - elementary to advanced? Using backing CD's as well? (they love working with backing CD's). I'm getting a bit bogged down spending a whole day a week working out my own arrangements and much as I enjoy doing it, I've got more work coming in and soon just won't have the time.

I/they really want this string group to work, with everybody happy and playing an eclectic and inspiring repertoire. Am I/are they expecting too much?
Any suggestions very welcome!

Violinia

I find all my music for all kinds of groups on the internet.If you go to Ask Jeeves.co.uk and type in your requirements they will direct you to sites that are suitable for your needs. Good luck
Barbara Walker :

I think I would have tried that if I'd thought it would have come up with anything good....

Just tried it and it didn't comeup with anything suitable.

Plus, I'm not really into buying stuff straight off the internet without hearing it first, or without enthusiastic recommendation.

What I really want is for somebody here to say they use this that or the other and it's really great. But thanks anyway.

Violinia

QUOTE (Violinia @ Jun 14 2004, 09:41 AM)

I have to run a string group in one of my schools. There are: 2 very competent grade 6 players who can improvise as well I viola of about grade 3 level 2 violins of about grade 3 level 3 violins of about grade 2 level 1 violin of about grade 1 level 3 beginner violinists who are just learning 3rd finger The problem is one of repertoire! I've got them playing an array of repertoire ranging from Pachelbel Canon to the Titanic theme, plus a growing range of world music from Chinese to Romany to reggae, using backing CD's, but it's quite difficult to find things that they all want to play. For instance, the girls love playing the Titanic theme but all the boys (particlularly the grade sixers) moan and groan and say "do we have to play this?" The older boys love the jazz and the folk but then the younger ones go "can't we play Titanic again?" I've worked out all these complex arrangements so that there are challenging parts for the more advanced students and simple open string or two-fingered parts for the beginners, but the difficulty is of finding something they all really enjoy equally and get something out of. They've already played (and enjoyed) the Pink Panther, the James Bond theme, the Flintstones theme and all the other tried and tested popular pieces and are eager to move onto other stuff, but what? Do any of you out there running violin ensembles know any brilliant repertoire with great parts for all levels - elementary to advanced? Using backing CD's as well? (they love working with backing CD's). I'm getting a bit bogged down spending a whole day a week working out my own arrangements and much as I enjoy doing it, I've got more work coming in and soon just won't have the time. I/they really want this string group to work, with everybody happy and playing an eclectic and inspiring repertoire. Am I/are they expecting too much? Any suggestions very welcome! Violinia

Palladio by Karl Jenkins is a good bet.

Well, so far 96 people have read this thread and only 2 have responded, coming up with one piece in all.

This must mean none of you run string groups, or if you do, haven't been able to think of anything I haven't already thought of, except for David, who suggested "Palladio". (Thanks for that, David - I've downloaded a sample and think it could be a good one, especially if they recognise it).

Isn't anybody else going to respond?

Violinia

QUOTE

Isn't anybody else going to respond?

the post title grabbed my curiosty but i know absolutely nothing about string groups

I assume you know palladio Violinia, or at least the famous movement.

It was on a diamantaire advert about 10 years ago. It's been fixed in my mind since. I'm quite fond of Jenkins, although I refuse to listen to Adiemus, since it's grown out of all proportion.

It's a fantastic piece. I used to play it in a sax quartet. It was about grade 5/6 standard for Alto 1, going down to grade 2 standard for Alto 4. Tremendous variation in abilities there!

Sorry David but what's a diamantaire? I really have no idea! I do watch TV but sort of glaze over whenever there's an ad, unless it's the one with the Chinese host and the huge squid!

No I'd never heard of Jenkins, or the name Palladio, although the music sounded familiar (but nothing more) when I downloaded a sample yesterday.

Does that make me a hopeless ignoramus?

Violinia

PS I listened to bits of the rest of the album and thought it was mostly a bit dire to be honest. Palladio's OK. But hey, we can't all like the same things

Play a good recording of palladio at high volume

A Diamantaire buys and sells diamonds. A big jeweller, really.

OK I'll play Palladio again at a high volume.

By the way, I thought someone who sold diamonds was called a diamond dealer. Never mind, eh?

Violinia

QUOTE (Violinia @ Jun 16 2004, 09:03 AM)

OK I'll play Palladio again at a high volume. By the way, I thought someone who sold diamonds was called a diamond dealer. Never mind, eh? Violinia

Consider that the difference between a wire placer, and an electrician!

.....can't find 'diamantaire' in any of my dictionaries.......

It's not in my dictionary either. I wonder if these strange people who make a living buying and selling diamonds just invented a pretentious name for themselves?

Hi Violina trust you are well i have a lovely piece i think will work really nicely for your group its found here-

http://www.geocities.co.jp/MusicHall-Horn/...pdf/caccini.pdf

You will need pdf software to open it though. Good luck you work so hard for your students, you must be a real inspiration to them!

A K.

QUOTE (Violinia @ Jun 16 2004, 10:34 PM)

It's not in my dictionary either. I wonder if these strange people who make a living buying and selling diamonds just invented a pretentious name for themselves?

Ha Ha Ha I think you're right. They are probably the people who sell that very "tasteful" "diamonique" (is that how you spell it?) jewellery on the shopping channels.