recommended by Megan W., Orchestra Specialist
East Coast Vibe by Stephen Spottswood, Grade 5
This calypso-style original reflects on the mixing pot of diversity of the composer’s hometown of Silver Spring, Maryland. With its groovy bass line, syncopated rhythms, and lively melody, this piece leaves no room for a dull moment. The piece starts in G major and segues into a contrasting B section in E minor, resuming back to the original melody with style and grace.
Beathoven by Stephen Spottswood, Grade 4
This hip-hop orchestration incorporates technology and should be played with the audio track (mp3 download) and a speaker. Beathoven cleverly combines hip-hop and classical styles. The result is a head bopping, rhythm rocking ensemble piece that ebbs and flows between the 18th century and the 21st century. Teachers can focus on syncopated rhythms, the pentatonic scale, playing with a staccato bow stroke, and making a contrast in dynamics.
Strings in the Trap by Stephen Spottswood, Grade 1
This hip-hop orchestration incorporates technology and should be played with the audio track (mp3 download) and a speaker. The piece utilizes staccato and pizzicato which are to be played in a fun and lively style. Strings in the Trap celebrates youth and contemporary swagger.
Strings Galore by Stephen Spottswood, Grade 1
This hip-hop orchestration incorporates technology and should be played with the audio track (mp3 download) and a speaker. Strings Galore celebrates youth and contemporary swagger, empowering students to be themselves and play the music of their culture. Pedagogically, teachers can focus on producing clear string crossings, playing in unison, and counting multiple rests.
Cellonator by Karen Koger, Grade 3.5
“Cellonator” came into my life when I met “The Cellonator,” Courtney Yeates, a rock cellist with an active schedule. She said I could use her title if the piece was difficult, rockish, and fun to play. Challenge your lead cellist with a flashy melody, including solos for Violin I and Viola. “Cellonator” is in E minor with shifting, glissandi, sixteenths, chromatics, and creative bowing.
Giggles McSipwich: Sound Specialist by Karen Koger, Grade 1.5
Explore the dynamic spectrum with “Giggles McSipwich: Sound Specialist” by experimenting with location, arm weight, and bow speed. The syncopation in the piece is from Giggles’s name and title. Flex-Pack Parts – A • tune, B • challenge, and C • open strings – can be distributed, depending on the levels of your students. A piano part is included. “Giggles McSipwich: Sound Specialist” is in D Major with syncopation, tremolo, counting, optional independent parts, and dynamics.
Jazzy Menagerie by Karen Koger, Grade 2.5
“Jazzy Menagerie” is a “jazzy” mash-up of favorite beginning tunes: “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” a little “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “Long, Long Ago” in the Basses; “Hot Cross Buns” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” “Jazzed” up melodies are interwoven, you could almost call the piece “Mary and her Lambs saw a Star on a Mountain while eating Hot Cross Buns Long, Long Ago.” “Jazzy Menagerie” is in D Major with slurs, ties, dotted notes, pickups, syncopation, a little body percussion, maybe a small shift, and 3-part harmony creating a swinging feel throughout “Jazzy Menagerie.”
Pupusas Especiales by Karen Koger, Grade 2.5
The winning title from one of Sarah Moulder’s students at Cesar Chavez Academy, CA inspired the piece “Pupusas Especiales.” Enjoyed by the people of El Salvador and Honduras, Pupusas are Hand Pies – simple bread pockets filled with beans, meats, or cheese. “Pupusas Especiales (Special Hand Pies)” celebrates El Salvadoran and Honduran culture through a joyful dance in G major with syncopation and accents with the option of adding a Guitarrón and Claves to enhance the festive dance feel. A fun harmonic sequence from Caleb Zak, a student from Mount Vernon HS in Ohio, occurs towards the end of Pupusas Especiales. Thank you to my students’ creative minds.
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About the Author:
Megan W., originally from Pittsburgh PA, is happy to call Columbus and Stanton’s Sheet Music “Home.” As a musician, Megan has played in marching and concert bands, youth orchestras, full orchestras, small ensembles, and a few choirs. Her interests include fiddling, reading, writing, martial arts and yoga.
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