Give your students the introduction to orchestral playing they need with perfectly curated beginner orchestra pieces
No more endless searching through massive databases. No more constant re-arranging. This collection has been designed for teachers and orchestra directors who work with students in the early stages of their music learning, with differentiated parts for those moving at a faster pace.
We put the necessary time, consideration and purpose into every piece, with reviews and testing by music educators around the world. Our collection is also split into 3 beginner levels so you can find the right piece for your needs at every stage in the development of your orchestra.
Each piece comes as a digital download, complete with conductors score, all instrumental parts and mp3 guide tracks for every instrument.
Level 1
A DAY AT THE CARNIVAL
A Day At The Carnival takes beginner musicians on a journey through rondo form (ABACA) centred around a beautiful melody played by the first violins. There is a chance for all musicians to take some melodic passages too. In the key of G major, mainly using quarter notes and eighth notes. This piece is light and fresh and will ‘wow’ audiences if played with sensitivity.
PROCESSION OF THE KING
This is a simple and upbeat number that portrays the entrance of a regal King. The piece uses mainly quarter notes and eighth notes and provides beginner musicians with a chance to play expressively and with a sense of command. A wonderful arrangement with parts for varying levels. Excellent for general concert performances to showcase developing musicians.
JINGLE BELLS
A winter classic arranged with wonderful tempo changes and dynamic shifts to excite your beginner orchestra. With a four bar solo to showcase the percussion section and some lovely scalic melodic passages in the chorus, this is the ideal addition to your festive season concert.
GALLOPING GOOSE
This wonderful piece uses a modern structure as it builds through various musical phrases. What was once the name of an old ‘railcar’ (similar to a train), the Galloping Goose now refers to a beautiful hiking trail network in Victoria, Canada. With a steady and accessible tune, this piece engages audiences with its reflective and expansive feel.
Level 2
GHOST OF TOM
A schoolyard favourite, Ghost Of Tom, is a spooky melody in E minor that has been arranged in a round-like structure. Most instruments will get a chance to play the melody and will need to maintain concentration as they play their part in time to create a round. The piece has some brilliant dynamic contrast and requires string players to play both pizzicato and arco. This is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
DANGEROUS DIVE
A simple and dramatic piece in the Key of E minor that provides a nice way to test students' understanding of relative minor keys. The piece uses mainly quarter note and eighth note rhythms, with a hint of syncopation. There is also some nice dynamic contrast within the piece, helping younger players to understand the sensitivity needed in their playing as they develop their instrumental skills.
BIG TIME BLUES
Centred around a standard 12 bar blues chord progression, Big Time Blues is a rousing piece that shows off every section of the orchestra. A punchy opening melody played by the brass is then joined by the strings and woodwinds as the piece develops. A fun call-and-response middle section gives the percussionists their time in the spotlight, before the full ensemble joins in for a big finish!
TRAMPOLINA
Trampolina is written in the style and structure of a sonata form, like a 1st movement of a Classical era sonatina. It is in C major, modulating to the dominant for the 2nd subject. Although this could be considered as absolute music, the themes are inspired by a trampoline. Elements such as the rising fifth interval evoke the feeling of soaring jumps and the sequenced motif in the bridge section bounds up and down through the air. The staccato quaver motif ending most phrases are like little hops or bounces, controlling motion after the high jumps. This thematic piece will take your orchestra and audience on a playful childhood adventure, full of energy and emotion.
Level 3
ANTHEM FOR A NEW WORLD
This is a thematic and uplifting score that has some broad melodic phrases and opportunities for multiple instruments to shine. With a contemporary feel that is based on a rock beat on the drums and a popular chord progression that will engage beginning musicians, this is sure to become a favourite. This piece also delves into some dotted rhythms and explores a range of dynamics. Perfect for an end of year concert to show-off the progress of your orchestra to the community.
THREE WANDERING GYPSIES
Moving beginners into new territory with this wonderful piece in 3/4 in the key D minor. Students will be challenged to work on some new notes and rhythmic combinations as they learn this piece. Lots of short melodic passages are included throughout the ensemble to help beginners shine. An excellent piece to engage an audience and take them on a musical journey.
BEACH AIR
Are you ready for this one! Beach Air pays homage to the ‘air’ composition style and is a beautiful piece to expose young players to this classical style made famous by J. S. Bach (Add one letter to Bach and you get Beach, right!?). There is an ‘Easter Egg’ on bar 7 where the high part (Violin 1 and Flute 1) spell the word Beach in German musical lettering (B-flat is called B, B-natural is H). Bach could spell his name in music notes, so we did it with Beach too! A more challenging piece that also works nicely for a string ensemble.
© 2020 Beginner Orchestra
