Old Becoming New: Little Known Gems of the String Orchestra Repertoire
Looking for new and exciting compositions for your string orchestra?
We know that conductors are constantly searching for interesting but valuable repertoire for their ensembles to play. Selected by renowned arranger and educator, Sandra Dackow, our Little Known Gem series includes pieces that are perfect for concert, festival and competition performance but have been forgotten or "lost" in the mix of the vast history of string literature.
Click here to see program notes including rehearsal and performance strategies written by Sandra Dackow!
| # |
Composer |
Title |
Grade |
Conference |
| 01913 |
Bartok |
Dances of Transylvania |
4+ |
2014 ASTA |
| 10371 |
Bartok |
Ten Pieces for Children |
2 |
2010 ASTA |
| 07287 |
Bolzoni |
Minuet for Strings |
4 (Moderately Difficult) |
2016 ASTA
2016 TODA |
| 01560 |
Bridge |
Suite for Strings |
5+ or playable 6 (Advanced) |
2015 ASTA |
| 07158 |
Bull |
Solitude sur la Montagne |
4 (Intermediate or Easy Advanced) |
2015 ASTA |
| 09873 |
Byrd |
The Carman's Whistle |
4 |
2010 ASTA |
| 13246 |
Chadwick |
Serenade in F for String Orchestra |
5 |
2010 ASTA |
| 10609 |
Dello Joio |
Air for Strings |
Intermediate |
2013 ASTA |
| 11903 |
Fasch |
Symphony in A |
3-4 |
2010 ASTA |
| 08470 |
Foote |
Irish Folk Song |
4 |
2014 ASTA |
| 11105 |
Foote |
Serenade in E for String Orchestra, Op. 25 |
5 (Advanced, but Approachable) |
2017 ASTA |
| 13596 |
Fuchs |
Serenade No. 1 in D |
6 (Advanced) |
2016 ASTA
2016 TODA |
| 05289 |
Gluck |
Symphony in G Major |
3+ (Upper Intermediate) |
2017 TODA |
| 01549 |
Grainger |
Molly on the Shore |
4+ or easy 5 |
2014 ASTA |
| 10805 |
Grieg |
String Quartet in g minor, Op. 27 |
6 (Very Advanced) |
2017 TODA |
| 01954 |
Hanson |
Rhythmic Variations |
3+ or easy 4 |
2015 ASTA |
| 07066 |
Herbert |
Three Compositions for String Orchestra |
5 |
2014 ASTA
2015 TODA |
| 01150 |
Hovhaness |
Psalm and Fugue Op. 40a |
Intermediate |
2013 ASTA |
| 10686 |
Husa |
Pastoral for Strings |
4 (Moderately Difficult) |
2016 ASTA |
| 10274 |
Janacek |
Idyll |
5+ or playable 6 (Advanced) |
2015 ASTA
2017 TODA |
| 11061 |
Janacek |
Suite for Strings |
4+ |
2011 ASTA
2016 TODA |
| 08421 |
Kalinnikov |
Chanson Triste for Strings |
Intermediate |
2011 ASTA |
| 13565 |
Kalinnikov |
Serenade for Strings in g minor |
4 (Intermediate or Easy Advanced) |
2014 TODA
2015 ASTA |
| 01486 |
LeClair |
Sonata for String Orchestra |
4 |
2010 ASTA |
| 08325 |
Manfredini |
Concerto Grosso Op. 3 No. 12 |
Intermediate |
2011 ASTA |
| 10532 |
Mendelssohn |
Sinfonia No. VI in E-flat |
5 |
2014 ASTA
2014 TODA |
| 01494 |
Pachelbel |
Gigue (from Canon and Gigue) |
3+ (Upper Intermediate or Intermediate) |
2017 ASTA |
| 09876 |
Parry |
An English Suite |
5 |
2013 ASTA
2015 TODA |
| 07232 |
Pierne |
Serenade for Strings Op. 7 |
4 |
2014 ASTA |
| 01497 |
Pierne |
Suite of Dances: No. 2: Chanson de la Grand Maman |
3 (Intermediate) |
2017 ASTA |
| 08446 |
Puccini |
Chrisanthemum for String Quartet |
5 |
2011 ASTA
2014 TODA |
| 05948 |
Purcell |
Double Dealer Suite |
3+ (Upper Intermediate or Intermediate) |
2016 ASTA
2017 TODA |
| 11369 |
Reinecke |
Serenade for String Orchestra
|
5 |
2010 ASTA
2011 ASTA
2014 TODA |
| 11078 |
Reinecke |
Twelve Tone Pictures for Strings |
4 (Moderately Difficult) |
2016 ASTA
2016 TODA |
| 13591 |
Respighi |
Suite in G Major for Strings and Organ |
5 (Difficult) |
2017 TODA |
| 11362 |
Ricciotti |
Concertino No. 2 in G |
4 |
2013 ASTA
2014 TODA |
| 09879 |
Schreker |
Intermezzo Op. 8 |
5 (Technically) 4 (Musically) |
2014 ASTA
2015 TODA |
| 01616 |
Stamitz |
Three Mannheim Sinfonias |
4+ |
2013 ASTA
2015 TODA |
| 11515 |
Still |
Danzas de Panama |
4 |
2010 ASTA
2011 ASTA
2015 TODA |
| 06781 |
Strauss |
Pizzicato Polka |
3+ |
2015 ASTA
2015 TODA |
| 08667 |
Suk |
Serenade, Op. 6 for Strings |
6 (Advanced, Professional) |
2017 ASTA
2017 TODA |
| 11724 |
Telemann |
Concerto for Two Violas and String in G |
3+ (Upper Intermediate or Intermediate) |
2017 ASTA |
| 06865 |
Telemann |
Nations Ancient and Modern Overture |
Easy Intermediate |
2011 ASTA |
| 10848 |
Warlock |
Six Italian Dances |
3 |
2016 TODA
2017 ASTA |
| 10808 |
Wiren |
Serenade for Strings |
5 |
2013 ASTA
2014 TODA |
| 07658 |
Wolf-Ferrari |
Serenade for Strings |
5+ (Difficult) |
2016 ASTA
2016 TODA |