String Orchestra
A little about me…
Aside from being a composer I am also a passionte msuic educator specialising in teaching strings. I conduct a wide range of orchestras both in size and playing ability. It brings me great joy to hear them humming my tunes in the hallway and chatting with their friends as they make life long connections and memories with music.
In saying so - at the heart of all my compositions for string orchwstra is a desire to mix targeted music education with engaging musical stories to get kids playing with greater skill and enthusiasm!
Looking for your next great repertoire pick? One that showcases your orchestra’s skills but also has lots of teachable points?
Ballarat and Clarendon College Showcase 2024 - Intermediate Strings
Each piece is specifically crafted to develop growing musicians and put on an enthralling concert!
Ballarat Grammar , Grammar in Concert 2023 - Intermediate Strings
Multi-Level Concert Pieces
"Kintaro / 金太郎" means "Golden Boy" in Japanese and is a beloved Japanese folk hero known for his exceptional strength and bravery. The story tells of a young boy named Kintaro, who grows up playing in the forest with animals and learning to use weapons.
He becomes known for his physical prowess and eventually sets out to defeat a fearsome demon that terrorises the nearby mountain.
https://moderntokyonews.com/2016/05/25/kintaro-in-japanese-folklore-and-art/
Kintaro is a versatile piece designed to showcase a variety of skills and highlight your talented students.
Kintaro emerges victorious from the battle, earning the admiration of the people and becoming a hero. He goes on to become a loyal servant of a powerful samurai named Minamoto no Yorimitsu, and together they fight against evil spirits and other enemies.
The story of Kintaro is a symbol of bravery and heroism in Japanese culture and has been passed down through generations. It teaches children the importance of courage and determination and reminds them that even the smallest and youngest among us can achieve great things through hard work and perseverance.
*osara.com.au
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/kintaro-the-legendary-folk-hero-keio-university/xAWBpJ-5kIfCLw?hl=en
Australian Suite for Strings
“A useful selection to introduce students to simple triple time. It has a broad scope of educational elements and captures the character of the bird with a brisk waltz that includes trills to open.”
“A lovely waltz. with lots of trills. Great dynamic swells. Each section shines with the melody including the lower strings: cello and double bass. Beautiful piece.”
Inspired by Australian wildlife, this collection captures the essence of creatures like cockatoos and magpies through short, character-driven pieces. It blends fun and education, helping young musicians develop technical skills with pizzicato, tremolo, changing dynamic, and more. Check out the score previews in the YouTube link and bring Australian nature to your orchestra.
Popular Arrangements
I am always bombarded with suggestions from students for new repertoire - and it’s always popular music or soundtracks from movies. As a film composer, I am always up for trying out some new and trending soundtracks. Exploring these pieces for string orchestra arrangements is particularly exciting.
Arranging popular music for a string orchestra involves creatively translating vocals, guitars, and electronic elements into the rich tones of strings. This process not only brings out the essence of the song but also demonstrates the versatility of the instruments.
These arrangements provide a relatable and enjoyable way for students to engage with contemporary music, boosting their confidence and enthusiasm. The goal is to maintain the original piece's integrity while showcasing the string orchestra's capabilities, enriching the students' musical experience and broadening their appreciation for different genres.
"Golden Hour" by JVKE for string orchestra posed a challenge to translate the dreamy and lush sound of the piano using the pedal to a strings orchestra. Using some clever orchestration techniques and transposing the song into a more resonant key it retains the elements of the pop song which were so popular whilst being appropriate for an intermediate string group.
"The Wellerman," a traditional sea shanty, gains a new dimension when arranged for strings. I wanted to capture both the sound and feeling of the sea with a wave of dynamics and swell of tone colour. Additionally, the added body percussion gives it a folk and rustic feeling - just like you are pirates on the high seas singing this tune! The driving rhythms and catchy melody are perfect for showcasing the dynamic range and energetic potential of the orchestra, making it a fun and engaging piece for students to perform.
"When You Wish Upon a Star" from Disney's Pinocchio offers a chance to explore rich, dreamy harmonies and lyrical phrasing. Everyone knows this song as soon as they hear it so even though students may be a bit too young to remember the original Pinocchio this song is synonymous with Disney. The timeless quality of this classic tune translates wonderfully to strings, allowing for a performance that is both nostalgic and heartwarming.