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America on Strings Mark O'Connor's String Orchestra
I am pleased to introduce America on Strings- the O'Connor Method Orchestra Book II. This music is designed for both Middle School and High School string music programs featuring full symphonic string compositions and arrangements that I have composed. The instrumentation is 1st violins, 2nd violins, violas, cellos, and doublebasses. The music that I have collected for the O'Connor Method Orchestra Book II includes some of the most endearing melodies in American music as well as some of the great folk fiddle tunes that have endured our 400 year-old history of string playing. I have made it a specific feature of the Method to include musical literature that represents all of the Americas ­ Mexico, Canada and every region of the United States ­ and so many musical styles ­ classical, folk, Latin, jazz, rock, ragtime, etc. I have chosen and arranged material that will be both instructive and artistically enriching. Orchestra Book II takes into consideration that, even at the Middle School and High School. levels, learning music possessing a timeless quality is a healthy vehicle for engendering a lifelong love of music-making. Beginner tunes can be great tunes, and could very well stay with the student for a lifetime of playing and performing. In my own experience giving classes around the country, I often tell students that I have professionally recorded three of the first fiddle tunes I learned as a child. My travels of the past 30 years have convinced me that a new American Classical Music is evolving. I have encountered thousands of students of all ages and abilities at concerts, workshops, college/conservatory/university seminars and fiddle camps and have found repeatedly that students do not want to be left out of the great sounds and energy of fiddling and jazz because they wish to become fine classical players. It is my firm belief that the new American Classical Music will embrace the totality of our rich history of string playing, and it is my sincere hope that my Method Orchestra Book II will further this process and perpetuate love for the violin, viola, cello, bass and the string orchestra.
Mark O'Connor (New York City, 2009)
Conducted by Jeffrey Grogan
Musicians
Joy Adams, Jennifer Ahn, Joey Amini, Glenn Basham, Maurice Belle, David Caines Burnett, Sue Buzzard, Hilary Castle, Allyson Clark, Ross DeBardelaben, Sadie DeWall, Gillian Gallagher, Ilmar Gavilan, Mariana Green, Melissa Howe, Chi-Young Hwang, Patrice Jackson, Daisy Jopling, Julia Koo, Christiane Liberis, Laura Metcalf, Jessica Meyer, Sam Nedel, Elzbieta Potak, Geoffrey Saunders, Erich Schoen-Rene, Jeanette Stenson, Melissa Tong, Carrie Turner, Naira Underwood, Peter Weitzner, John Wiley, Pamela Wiley, Fiona Zwieb
©2012 OMAC-18