String Orchestra - Level 1 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.522247
Composed by Colin Kirkpatrick. Contemporary. Score and parts. 21 pages. Colin Kirkpatrick Publications #4994009. Published by Colin Kirkpatrick Publications (A0.522247).
Shetland Sunrise is a movement from Colin Kirkpatrick's suite for elementary string orchestra entitled “Atlantic Highwayâ€. Ideal for end-of-semester concerts or any other school or college concert occasion, these tuneful and attractive pieces are bound to please audience and instrumentalists alike.
The work is scored for violins 1 and 2, viola (with an identical but optional part for violin 3 in treble clef), cello, double bass and piano (or digital keyboard). The piano part is an integral part of music and therefore essential. However, it’s not especially difficult and perfectly manageable by the intermediate pianist. All the string parts can be played in first position. Pizzicato is used extensively in the double bass part and in some of the passages for the upper strings.
Shetland Sunrise is in G major throughout and the time signature begins in 5/8. This might look a bit daunting to elementary places not used to seeing it but the music is a good deal easier than it appears. Because every 5/8 measure (bar) naturally falls into groups of 3 and 2 beats, the players should be told to count 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, rather than one to five. They will soon pick up the irregular lilting rhythm. There are also a couple of measures of 7/8 in this piece, which should be counted as 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2. The string parts have been produced in fairly large type making them ideal for elementary players. Cues have been added where necessary.