Orchestra Festival Sheet Music

Teachers keep coming back to From the Start by Laufey and Force of Nature by Brian Balmages, both popular across multiple grade levels. Five Note Fiddler by Brian Balmages serves beginners well at Grade 0.5, while Gravitas by Soon Hee Newbold offers substantial material for advanced ensembles at Grade 3. The Wellerman by Bob Phillips and Finding Figaro by Carrie Lane Gruselle round out the favorites.

Recent releases include The Gift of Giving and Alpine Adventure, both published in June 2026, along with Radiant Spirit by Chris M. Bernotas for full orchestra. IN THE MOORLAND and SEARCHING FOR SEVILLE bring masterwork arrangements of Chaminade and Rossini into the catalog.

Brian Balmages spans orchestral, band, and chamber idioms with equal fluency. His works have been performed by professional orchestras at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center as well as elementary ensembles, and he received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association.

Bob Phillips built his reputation as an innovator in string pedagogy through large group teaching methods and eclectic style writing. His Sound Innovations series and 25+ book collections are performed by thousands of string students annually.

Soon Hee Newbold is an internationally acclaimed composer whose writing draws on cultural and ethnic styles from her extensive performance and travel experience. Her works span professional symphony orchestras to beginning elementary ensembles across venues worldwide.

Richard Meyer taught string students at all levels for 35 years in public schools and grew the orchestra program at Oak Avenue Intermediate School from 29 students to 200, establishing himself as both an educator and active guest conductor and clinician.