String Orchestra – Michael Patterson Moonmusic

Titles are either available through Scoreexchange or through Sheet Music Plus. Click on the link to view prices and further details. Some titles have backing tracks which can be freely downloaded from the Backing Tracks page on this website.

Click on the banner headings Easier, Intermediate or Advanced to view the titles

Easier Pieces

Intermediate

Advanced

Easier Pieces

Intermediate

Advanced

Little Groove 1	Steady rock feel in D major with a syncopated but easy melody that is fun to play. Play together with piano and/or the backing track.
Little Groove 2	Rockin 70s handclap groove in B dorian. Again some basic syncopation. Very cool backing track.
Little Groove 3	Steady rock feel in D major. There are some written out solos for a violnist, or feel free to improvise your own! Backing track.
Little Groove 4	This one is swung and syncopated but with help from the backing track your ensemble will get the groove in no time.
Little Groove 5	This one is in G major. It has a fast swing feel and is a bit more “jazzy” than the other Little Grooves – lots of fun. Backing track.
Pillinger Pluck	A fun piece with lots of interaction between the sections and of course, plenty of pizz!
Spontaneity	This piece was commissioned by Clayfield College and started as a series of student improvisations. These melodic threads were then sewn together to create this powerful piece which includes a backing track.
Christmas Medley III	This is a fantastic arrangement of three Christmas tunes – “Angels We Have Heard”, “O Come O Come Emmanuel”, and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. It is arranged for easy strings + voice/choir + backing track.
Anyone	This Justing Bieber classic is not too hard to play. Enjoy with a backing track.

The Curly Moustache	A bit of mariachi madness here. Have fun!
Sinfonia in D by Torelli	Crisp, clean late Baroque textures here.
The Mystic	Contrasts robust 6/8 feel with more delicate pizzicato textures. Sophisticated but definitely manageable for your intermediate string ensemble.
Minuetto	This piece by Bolzoni is rarely heard but I suspect this is only because the original is in such a nasty key! I arranged it in A major for accessibility. It is a beautiful minuet. Enjoy!
Monster Groove 1	This piece is inspired by funk rhythms and uses the blues scale. Rhythms are syncopated but definitely manageable. There is a funky backing track too.
Monster Groove 2	This groove is more of a gypsy romp. It uses gypsy modes and is a real show stopper with the backing track.
Double Bass Concertino I	This is a wonderful piece to highlight your skilled double bassist, and give this grand instrument the spotlight it deserves but seldom receives.
Elation	This piece has a fresh and happy vibe in A major with the open cello melody set against a delicate rhythmic figure in the violins. smiley emoji here
Chandelier	This is an arrangement of the iconic Sia song that is sure to be a hit
Valse Grazioso	A graceful waltz with plenty of harmonic twists and turns. All sections get plenty of challenging and fun things to play.
The Duel	Definitely a pop groover. Play it with the backing track, and let your star players be featured in the solo sections. Electric instruments would really pop for this performance.

Lost World Suite	Originally commissioned by St Peter’s Lutheran College, this three part work portrays the beautiful landscape west of Brisbane known as “The Lost World”. The 2nd movement is a little weird so go for the last movement if you want something easily approachable.
The Tempest	This brilliant piece by Beethoven works a treat arranged for string orchestra.
Erlkonig	Schubert at his dramatic best, this work is gives a fantastic spiccato workout to your whole orchestra.
Two Novelettes	This collection of “novelettes” was originally written for string quartet. The two movements presented here are highly evocative and great fun to play. The Orientale is a bit of a jig really, and the Ungharese has plenty of Balkan flavour.
Valley of Sparks	This piece was born from an improvisation session at Kenmore State High School. All the ideas went into a magical musical melting pot – like little sparks they came together – stirred by master chef Michael Patterson who added just a little seasoning – some paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. The result is a vibrant, strident and bold composition that is uplifting and fun to play.
Concerto Grosso in Gmin	This is a very playable Baroque work that will feature 1st violin concertino, 2nd violin concertino and cello concertino parts. The piece is an adaptation of Wilhelmine von Bayreuth’s well know Harpsichord Concerto where the string concertino parts replace the harpsichord.