The Artistry in Strings series features:

The Artistry in Strings series features:

Author: Robert S. Frost

Publisher: Kjos Music Publishers

Size: 16 pages, 9" x 12"

Instrumentation: 2 violins, 2 violas, or 2 cellos, with optional piano.  Also available are very easy third parts for each instrument.  All parts compatible across instruments.

Arranger: Mary Cohen

Publisher: Faber Music

Parts: One performance score

Size: 9" x 12".  15 pages

Contents:

• The Holly and the Ivy
• Silent Night
• Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly
• Once in Royal David's City
• Away in a Manger
• Quem Pastores Laudavere
• Good King Wenceslas
• O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)
• Jingle Bells
• Gaudete!
• Good Christians all Rejoice (In Dulci Jubilo)
• Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas

First Things First is a collection of traditional folk songs, classical themes, rounds, and original pieces representing over ten countries and styles from around the world.  The compositions are arranged to be extremely versatile in meeting the needs of younger beginners in an elementary level string orchestra.  Each instrument has the melody line as well as an additional harmony line.  By using all the parts, a string orchestra is achieved.  With the addition of the piano, any size string class can successfully perform these selections.

This outstanding series is a complete, thorough, and sequential course of study for the simultaneous development of all string instruments.  The progressive levels may be used for class or individual instruction.  Muller-Rusch, Book 1 introduces students to the joy and rich experience of learning to play their instruments.  Beginners progress each day, learning technical skills and developing a real pleasure for creating music.

Other titles in the Muller Rusch series:

This outstanding series is a complete, thorough, and sequential course of study for the simultaneous development of all string instruments.  The progressive levels may be used for class or individual instruction.  Muller-Rusch, Book 2 guides students towards mastering fingerings, bowings, rhythms, and correct left and right hand positions.  Reading skills progress with each lesson, along with the development of a beautiful tone.

Other titles in the Muller Rusch series:

This outstanding series is a complete, thorough, and sequential course of study for the simultaneous development of all string instruments.  The progressive levels may be used for class or individual instruction.  Muller-Rusch, Book 3 prepares students for advancement in the required techniques for facility in shifting positions, new positions, bowing, tone production, vibrato, double stops, harmonics, and new rhythms.  the melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic variety in each lesson gives added motivation toward greater musical achievment.

Other titles in the Muller Rusch series:

Fine Tuning is a collection of 50 short pieces which have been compiled and arranged for intermediate level string ensembles of all sizes.  It features a wide variety of music, representing the late renaissance period through the early contemporary period.  Each piece offers many opportunities to strengthen intonation, tone, and balance.  

Solos & Etudes, Book 1 is a collection of 25 solos and 29 etudes for the string class and is written in a unison format for violin, viola, cello, and string bass.  This supplement features exercises designed to reinforce technical development and also provides material for musical growth and enrichment.  A wide variety of styles and composers are represented including original solos and etudes by the authors.  Solos & Etudes, Book 1 is correlated with All for Strings, Book 1 pages 21-48, and can be used concurrently with that book, or as a review upon completeion of any string method.  The unison format provides all string instruments with each complete solo and etudes, allowing for suitability in both string class and individual study settings.

Primo Performance is a collection of folk songs and classical themes arranged in such a way as to be extremely versatile in meeting the needs of the beginning level string orchestra.  Each instrument as the melody line as well as additional harmony lines.  By using all the parts a string orchestra is acheived.  With the addition of the piano, a solo player as well as any size string class can sucessfully perform these selections.

Sacred Settings is a collection of 24 sacred hymns arranged to be extremely versatile in meeting the needs and performance opportunities of string players.  Each instrument has the melody as well as additional harmony lines.  By using selected parts, a string duet, string trio, string quartet, or string ensemble is achieved.  Sacred Settings contains hymns familiar to many denominations.  Traditional harmonizations have been used, and instrumentalists may find that the harmonizations follow closely those found in the individual religious hymnal.  Because of this, little or no additional adaptation may be necessary to use the hymns to accompany church or community choirs.

Primo Encores is a collection of folk songs, classical themes, rounds, and original compositions arranged in such a way as to be extremely versatile in meeting the needs of the beginning level string orchestra.  Each instrument as the melody line as well as additional harmony lines.  By using all the parts a string orchestra is acheived.  With the addition of the piano, a solo player as well as any size string class can sucessfully perform these selections.

With the successful completion of All For Strings, Theory Workbook 1 beginning string players have learned much about the fundamentals and theory of music.  All For Strings, Theory Workbook 2 builds upon the foundation already established and introduces students to many new musical concepts.

Solos & Etudes, Book 2 is a collection of 32 solos and 38 etudes for the string class and is written in a unison format for violin, viola, cello, and string bass.  This supplement features exercises designed to reinforce technical development and also provides material for musical growth and enrichment.  A wide variety of styles and composers are represented, including original solos and etudes by the authors.  Solos & Etudes, Book 2 is correlated with All for Strings, Book 2 pages 5-38, and can be used concurrently with Book 2, or as a review upon completion of any Book 2 string method.  The unison format provides all string instruments with each complete solo and etude allowing for suiability in both string class and indivdual study settings.

Research has show time and again that the best way to help increase retention and garner parental support is through performances as early in the school year as possible.  The music in JumpStart: First Concert for Strings was written to help create a positive and rewarding performance experience for students, parents, and school administrators.  All the notes, rhythms, and concepts used in this collection are the same as the ones typically addressed in the first 10-11 pages of most standard method books.  Also, each of the books was carefully designed to look like "concert" music instead of "method book" material so students will feel like they're really performing instead of just playing the same old stuff for Mom and Dad again.

The Score includes a CD with demonstration and backing tracks.

A staff paper and text journal in the style of the Sassmannshaus Early Start method books.  Includes a sheet of colorful stickers.  

Christmas Kaleidoscope  is a collection of well-known Christmas carols.  This book has been arranged so that each instrument has the melody line as well as additional harmony lines.  Any instrument combinations are possible, from small chamber ensembles to large string orchestra.

Contents:

• Jolly Old St. Nicholas
• Good King Wenceslas
• Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)
• The Infant King
• Up on the Housetop
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• We Three Kings
• Away in a Manger
• Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
• The First Noel (Nowell)
• Angels We Have Heard on High
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
• Deck the Halls
• Joy to the World