What category of new string music is the most needed?

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Permalink Reply by eddymontreal on September 8, 2009 at 9:10pm

Hello there!

I'm not a violin teacher however I'm an amateur musician and I play in few amateur orchestras. I've also composed for those orchestras and the demand was mainly for short quartets (played by a full string orchestra of course) or short pieces for strings (6 to 8 minutes). I've always kept the musicians level in mind and my intention was mainly to create pieces that could be played after a few weeks workshop. I've sometimes challenged musicians with few bars that may require a bit of work to keep the excitement and made the progression to, let's say a higher position, logical and smooth (no big jumps). It's always good to create a piece where it would also be a learning opportunity for the group.

As for the style, you won't find many conductors who would take in consideration a modern piece. I usually focus on a melodic line and play a bit with the harmonies and rhythms to give the pieces a slight modern twist and a personal touch.

Good luck with the composition activity!

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Permalink Reply by elizabeth chaconas on September 17, 2009 at 8:27am

I am not a teacher, but I know I would like to see more music with different arrangements, like the new trio I just formed at UCF is violin, viola, and bass. But I have yet to find music. I though this would be a cool group in that you don't see that very often.

Hope I helped!

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Permalink Reply by M. L. Daniels on September 17, 2009 at 2:17pm

Thanks, Elizabeth. The only problem, of course, would be getting a publisher to look at it.. since they normally
publish string quartets, string orchestra, and very few trios. I think the sound your group would have would be
unique. I have never heard a string group with that combination... nice idea.

elizabeth chaconas said:

I am not a teacher, but I know I would like to see more music with different arrangements, like the new trio I just formed at UCF is violin, viola, and bass. But I have yet to find music. I though this would be a cool group in that you don't see that very often.

Hope I helped!

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Permalink Reply by Alison MacGregor on September 22, 2009 at 1:51am

Hi, my dream ensemble piece would have cool rythms, a surprise or two, and is written for the following:
Violin I - grade 7 AMEB
Vviolin II grade 4 AMEB
Violin III basically about one note per bar so beginners can join in
Viola - challenging and prominent grade 6 AMEB
Cello - challenging and prominent grade 6 AMEB
Bass - easy and difficult options that both work.
I find that many pieces for my student ensemble have deadly boring viola and cello lines if the violin II part is easy enough.

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Permalink Reply by M. L. Daniels on September 22, 2009 at 5:47am

These are interesting concepts for string arrangements. I have thought several times about writing something which could be played by experienced students as well as beginners, etc. Thanks for your input!

Alison MacGregor said:

Hi, my dream ensemble piece would have cool rythms, a surprise or two, and is written for the following:
Violin I - grade 7 AMEB
Vviolin II grade 4 AMEB
Violin III basically about one note per bar so beginners can join in
Viola - challenging and prominent grade 6 AMEB
Cello - challenging and prominent grade 6 AMEB
Bass - easy and difficult options that both work.
I find that many pieces for my student ensemble have deadly boring viola and cello lines if the violin II part is easy enough.

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Permalink Reply by elizabeth chaconas on September 22, 2009 at 2:05pm

Thanks. Our first rehearsal was yesterday (9/21) and the sound is really neat. It sounds like a duo (violin and viola) and almost like a deep pedal, or deep organ-ish background (bass).

I see, looks like I should start my own publishing company! =)



M. L. Daniels said:

Thanks, Elizabeth. The only problem, of course, would be getting a publisher to look at it.. since they normally
publish string quartets, string orchestra, and very few trios. I think the sound your group would have would be
unique. I have never heard a string group with that combination... nice idea.

elizabeth chaconas said:

I am not a teacher, but I know I would like to see more music with different arrangements, like the new trio I just formed at UCF is violin, viola, and bass. But I have yet to find music. I though this would be a cool group in that you don't see that very often.

Hope I helped!

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