Festive.Strings.Information

Joanne Martin

Festive Strings and

More Festive Strings

FESTIVE STRINGS and MORE FESTIVE STRINGS are collections of well-known Christmas and Chanukah melodies, in arrangements which can be used with multi-level or multi-generational groups.

The melody parts are easy enough to be played by inexperienced musicians, while the harmonies can be played by intermediate level players. Accessible keys have been used, and shifting is kept to a minimum.

FESTIVE STRINGS and MORE FESTIVE STRINGS exist in several instrumentations:

* String Ensemble

* String Orchestra or String Quartet

* Solo Instruments

* Piano Accompaniment.

The instrumentations used in the FESTIVE STRINGS and MORE FESTIVE STRINGS arrangements are the same as those used in the FOLK STRINGS and MORE FOLK STRINGS books.

FESTIVE STRINGS and MORE FESTIVE STRINGS FOR ENSEMBLE:

These flexible-scoring string ensemble arrangements are for 2, 3, or 4 players on any “mix-and-match” combination of violin, viola, and cello. Choose these ensemble arrangements for any groups other than string quartet or string orchestra. The piano accompaniments are optional. The ensembles are printed in score form, with the melody always in the 1st part. In multi-level groups, the least experienced players often learn the melody line partly by ear and partly by reading, and may use the Solo Violin, Viola, or Cello part (see below). .

* Violin Ensemble

* Viola Ensemble

* Cello Ensemble

FESTIVE STRINGS and MORE FESTIVE STRINGS FOR STRING QUARTET OR STRING ORCHESTRA:

The String Quartet or String Orchestra instrumentation is complete with or without double bass. Piano accompaniments are optional. The melody is passed around so that all members of the group have the opportunity to play the tune. For orchestras with many violins and few violas, the 3rd Violin part doubles the Viola part.

FESTIVE STRINGS and MORE FESTIVE STRINGS FOR SOLO INSTRUMENTS:

The solo parts contain the melody in large print, and are intended for the least advanced players. The Solo parts are the same as the 1st part in the String Ensembles, in larger print and easier to read for young players. The Solo Violin, Solo Viola, and Solo Cello parts can be used in conjunction with any of the String Ensembles, with the String Quartet or String Orchestra versions, or alone with Piano Accompaniment.

* Solo Violin

* Solo Viola

* Solo Cello

FESTIVE STRINGS and MORE FESTIVE STRINGS PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT

The piano accompaniments may be used with any of the instrumentations -- string ensemble, string quartet or string orchestra, or solo instruments.

CONTENTS

FESTIVE STRINGS:

Jingle Bells in D Major

Joy to the World

Chanukah

Away in a Manger

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas