Music for String Orchestra 2023-24 - Kendor Music Publishing

Welcome Orchestra Directors

Dear Orchestra Directors,

I am elated to share the esteemed Kendor Music Publishing String Orchestra Music catalog for 2023-2024.

MUSIC FOR STRING ORCHESTRA

New pieces from well-respected Kendor Music Publishing composers as well as talented new voices represent a broad spectrum of grade levels and genres, offering options for a variety of concert programs.

You’ll find music for beginners through high school and college, ranging from easy 6-note holiday music to an advanced transcription of a Brahms Violin Sonata.

Our new music is accompanied with free resources to help you select music and rehearse it, including complete professional recordings, ScoreVideos, and Composer Insights videos, which you can find on our brand new website: kendormusic.com.

On behalf of all of us here at Kendor Music Publishing, thank you for all you do. I hope you have a wonderful and fulfilling school year. I know you’ll find some great music to play in these pages.

Clickable Link Guide

Cover Image - ScoreVideo of the piece

Composition Title - More information about the piece

Composer Name - Composer Insight Video

Blair Bielawski Orchestra Editor

Flip through the pages and hover over each piece with your mouse to click on links. Listen (and watch) the scores and recordings of each new piece by clicking on its cover image. Click the composition title for more details about the piece or click the composer’s name to view the Composer Insight video. Click the “Full screen” button in the lower right corner for the best viewing experience.

Sound On!

Scan for Professional Recordings, ScoreVideos, Composer Insights videos & more.

Sound On!

Scan for Professional Recordings, ScoreVideos, Composer Insights videos & more.

Composers of New String Orchestra Music

Brian Holmes

Doug Spata

Katie O’Hara LaBrie

Liam Ramsey-White

Eric B. Davis

Dennis Eveland

Kirt M. Mosier

Deborah Baker Monday

Peter Terry

Peter Blair

David L. Hinds

David Bobrowitz

Steven L. Rosenhaus

Larry Clark

Joshua Hobbs

Erica Donahoe

New String Orchestra Music

Choose the perfect level for your Orchestra

Ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced, our string orchestra music is meticulously edited and follows a strict six-part grading system reflected in our color-coded series.

• Playable by first year students with limited study

• Uses only the first six notes of the D Major Scale

• Moderate tempo and 4/4 time signatures

• All sections have an opportunity to play the melody

Strolling

David L. Hinds

Take a musical stroll with your young string performers with this new, very easy piece from David Hinds. An excellent choice for a first concert as well as being a great piece to use for teaching form. (1:55)

Jingle Old St. Nick!

(Jingle Bells, Jolly Old St. Nicholas)

Arranged by Peter Blair

Using just the first six notes of the D Major scale this clever medley is an ideal choice for your first holiday concert. Everyone gets a moment in the melodic spotlight with the familiar carols Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Jingle Bells (1:56)

ACCENT STRING ORCHESTRA SERIES GRADE 1

• Playable by first-year groups

• Keys of D and G; first position (Bass 3rd position); careful writing of low 2 for Violins and Violas while avoiding high 3

• Introducing 2/4 and 3/4 time signatures with whole, half, quarter and eighth note patterns with no syncopation

• Detache, pizzicato, staccato, legato and marcato bowings to expand your students’ technique with the right hand

Christmas Stars

(The First Noel, Toyland, The Holly and the Ivy, Greensleeves, Silent Night)

Arranged by Larry Clark

Veteran composer and arranger Larry Clark has crafted a masterful mashup of familiar carols and holiday songs in this easy medley. Your students and audience will enjoy this engaging and entertaining combination of familiar music. (3:05)

March of the Realm

Erica Donahoe

March of the Realm uses a satisfying blend of dynamic contrasts and articulation variations to create a wonderful way for young musicians to play with independent parts. A great way to open a concert! (1:54)

The Latin American String Collection is a must-have, accessible collection of original pieces for string instruments in traditional Latin American Styles like Salsa, Mambo, Bossa Nova, Bachata and more! Included in the collection are carefully-curated accompaniment tracks for each pieceboth Play-Along and Full Recording versions - including some performed by the composer and on instruments indigenous to the regions where each style has roots.

• Playable by 2nd year musicians

• Incorporates dotted quarter-notes and simple syncopated rhythms

• Expanded right hand technique of 2-note slurs, hooked bows and adjacent string crossings

• Open string double stops

Dark Star Rising

Peter Terry

The driving rhythm and bold E minor harmony of the opening section contrasts beautifully with the lyrical and sweeping B section. The main theme returns to lead to a dramatic ending. Great for showing off the dynamic reaches of your Orchestra. (1:58)

Riu, Riu, Chiu

Arranged by Steven L. Rosenhaus

Riu, Riu, Chiu is one of the most well-known pieces from the Renaissance and has become a staple of holiday programming. The composition is in Dorian mode, so it could serve as a good introduction to music that isn’t in a major key. (2:07)

All-Star Fiddles

Eric B. Davis

Your students will have a great time with this rollicking new composition from Eric Davis. It is also a fantastic way to reinforce eighth-quartereighth syncopation. Your whole ensemble will be all stars with this fun-filled piece. (2:03)

CONCERT FAVORITES

10 Concert Pieces For String Orchestra

Contents: Ode To Joy, Landler, Beginning Bach, Wexford Circle; Shoe Symphony, Rustic Dance; Christmas Fiddlers On The Housetop, Classic Sinfonia, Fiddlin’ To Boston, Habanera

Contents: African Blessing, Be Thou My Vision, Allegro from “Concerto For Two Trumpets”, Christmas Fiddlers In The Hall, Clash of the Triads!, Deep Sea Fandango, Greensleeves, Gypsy Moon, The Trout (Die Forelle, Movement IV)

Contents: An Elizabethan Madrigal, Ave Verum Corpus, Fantasia On Amazing Grace, British Grenadiers, Emperor Waltz, Irish Suite, Mozart Symphony No. 40, Stomp And Fiddle, The Sharks Of Seville, Theme From Canon In D.

In these volumes, you’ll find bestselling full-length works that are on many state contest lists by composers such as Elliot Del Borgo and John Caponegro.

• Playable by 2nd and 3rd year groups

• Introducing 6/8 time signature

• New key signatures including C, A, F and Bb

• New positions for Violin, Cello and Bass

• More complex rhythms and fingered double stops

Ready? Set. Soar!

Joshua Hobbs

A bold and uplifting new work from composer Joshua Hobbs, this piece is bound to be a student and audience favorite. The sparkling Piano part adds an extra layer of interest and color to the beautiful and soaring string parts. (2:09)

Eagle Soaring

Brian Holmes

The opening energetic eighth note pattern of the upper strings provides the perfect backdrop for the soaring melody of the Cello and Bass sections. The tempo remains constant throughout as the pulsating rhythm of the opening theme is passed from section to section. This would be a powerful way to begin or end a concert (4:03)

Non dite mai (Gagliardo)

Arranged by Deborah Baker Monday

A robust dance in 3/4 this piece includes optional Hand Drum and Tambourine. The first section is Allegro which is followed by a Presto section. A great selection for teaching form and independent playing. (3:02)

Reflections on a Rainbow

David Bobrowitz

Hauntingly elegant this lush ballad is the perfect piece to use to contrast something faster and more technical. The flowing lines melt together seamlessly to create a unique and fresh soundscape. Truly a great piece to showcase the expressive playing of your ensemble. (3:14)

Fire Sprite

Doug Spata

This is an engaging and energetic excursion for string orchestra in 3/4. Effective use of tremelos create a captivating effect with the nostalgic melody and E minor harmony. (3:02)

The Tale is Told

Peter Terry

A truly joyful tale is told in this new work from Peter Terry. Several sections in slightly different tempos are tied together with the buoyant and energetic melody. There are excellent dynamic shadings presented throughout as the melody is transferred from section to section. (2:34)

• Playable by advanced middle school and high school musicians

• Exploring higher positions for all strings

• Expanded literature for advancing programs

A Wicked Vow

Doug Spata

All the musicians in your ensemble will enjoy a good workout with this energetic and aggressive new work from Doug Spata. There is an effective (but optional) Harp part included. Your group will love digging into this exciting piece! (1:53)

A Winter Poem

Dennis Eveland

A wonderfully subtle and evocative opening section sets up a faster and lively section built upon themes presented in the first section. The interesting counterpoint will keep all the players (as well as the audience) engaged. A great combination of somber and joyful moods presented in the the two contrasting sections. (3:24)

Danse Estrangé

Kirt N. Mosier

Unique sounds abound in this fascinating new composition from Kirt Mosier. Your Viola, Cello and Bass performers will love the rich and singing melodies of their parts that contrast beautifully with the percussive and syncopated patterns of later sections. (2:47)

Christmas With the Nutcracker

Gates of Olympus

Erica Donahoe

Erica has crafted a courtly and stately piece worthy of a regal procession. Musically rich and rewarding, there is something for everyone in this new composition. (3:00)

Free Run

Liam Ramsey-White

Filled with life and vitality this piece is contemporary and fresh. The bold, colorful harmony is blended perfectly with interweaving melodic lines. This would be a wonderful selection for an opening or closing concert piece. (3:30)

Renaissance Dances

Dennis Eveland

Dennis presents several contrasting “dance” sections. The opening is a bright and spirited 2/4 while the next section is smooth and flowing in 3/4. It is tied together nicely with a recap of the original theme. (2:54)

a Medley of Traditional Carols and Themes from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker

Arranged by Katie O’Hara LaBrie

Skillfully arranged, Katie has created a Christmas medley of themes from The Nutcracker along with familiar carols weaving in and out. This is your one stop shop for all things Christmas... beautifully tied up with a bow in about 3 1/2 minutes. A really fun addition to Christmas repertoire! (3:39)

SYMPHONIC STRING ORCHESTRA SERIES GRADES 4 & Up

• Playable by high school musicians

• First Violins explore 5th position while second Violins and Violas move through 3rd position

• Cellos expand to 4th position while the Bass section works through 5th position

Colorado River Adventure

Doug Spata

Come and take an exhilarating ride down the Colorado River. The music captures the essence of the river racing through whitewater rapids and flowing through tranquil canyons. (3:30)

Scherzo

Johannes Brahms

Arranged by Deborah Baker Monday

Deborah Baker Monday has done a masterful job of arranging this difficult Brahms Violin Sonata for string orchestra. All the thrilling highs and despondent lows are represented in this new arrangement. “F-A-E” refers to the German frei aber einsam which translates to “free but lonely” or “free but alone”. (5:05)

Classical Flex Duets, Trios & Quartets

Classical FlexDuets

This collection is a terrific resource for student groups, church musicians, family musicians and more. These grade 2-3 arrangements are fully interchangeable. The Piano accompaniment book is optional and the Tuba book includes two versions of the duets; one that is to be played by 2 Tubas, and one that can be played with another instrument.

Contents: Hail The Conquering Hero Comes (Handel); Our Director (Bigelow); St. Anthony’s Chorale (Haydn); Simple Gifts (Shaker hymn); Ecossaise (Beethoven); Can Can Polka (Offenbach); The Pilgrims’ Chorus (Wagner); Allegro (Mozart)

Classical FlexTrios

These 18 trios cover a wide range of styles from the Baroque era to the 20th Century. Published in score form for any combination of instruments using the appropriate key-compatible books.

Contents: Royal Fanfare (Duncombe); Minuet (Purcell); Bagatelle (Diabelli); Quadrille (Haydn); Minuet From The Royal Fireworks (Handel); Largo (Corelli); March Alla Turka (Mozart); German Dance (Beethoven); Rondo (Mozart); Sailor’s Song (Grieg); Scherzando (Schumann); Polka (Tchaikovsky); Slavonic Dance (Dvorak); March Of The Tin Soldiers (Tchaikovsky); Country Dance (German); Pizzicato Polka (Delibes)

FlexQuartets

Classical FlexQuartets

This collection is a terrific resource for student groups, church musicians, family musicians and more. These grade 3 arrangements are fully interchangeable, and contain well-known classical melodies. Published in score form for any combination of instruments using the appropriate keycompatible books.

Contents: Can Can (Offenbach); French Song (Tchaikovsky); German Dance (Mozart); The Happy Farmer (Schumann); Minuet (Bach); Rosamunde (Schubert); Slavonic Dance (Dvorak); Surprise Symphony (Haydn); Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke); and Turkish March (Beethoven)

ANNE MARIE PATTERSON