Note to the Director

These string orchestra arrangements have been written with the student musician in mind, although they are also fun and rewarding for gigging musicians. The goal was for all string players to have the pleasure of playing fiddle and folk tunes in an ensemble setting while still retaining the “folky feel” of the music.

These pieces were originally written for Baroque & Buskin’ Strings, a string orchestra comprised of adults and children with three years of playing or more. All the parts are interesting to play, as the melodies weave throughout the orchestra.

The tunes that the arrangements are based on are available on our website at bluearchmusic.com as a free download in treble, alto and bass clefs with guitar chords. There is also an MP3 of the tunes from which students can imitate the style. When the students first learn the melody with special attention to the rhythms and style, it makes learning the arrangements much easier. They hear the melody line clearly as it continues in its various forms, and they perform the counter melodies and accompaniment lines with a better sense of ensemble.

Blue Arch Music provides music that is fun to play, and fun to teach!

Have fun!

Sincerely,
Elisa Sereno-Janz
Blue Arch Music