Orchestra New Releases

Teachers keep coming back to John Debney's Elf: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts at grade 2.5, a perennial favorite that moves students through accessible holiday material with real musicality. Laufey's Lover Girl offers a contemporary alternative at grade 3, while Michael Hopkins' Symphony No. 4, Second Movement (grade 4) and Ravel's Bolero for Strings (grade 4.5) serve programs ready for more substantial classical repertoire. Allison Buettner's Holiday Bows: Christmas and Chanukah Songs Featuring Various Bowing Techniques provides pedagogical value alongside seasonal appeal at grade 2.

Recent additions include Brian Balmages' The Gift of Giving, Katie O'Hara LaBrie's Spirit of Noel, Michael Hopkins' Alpine Adventure, and Tyler S. Grant's The Great Reindeer Race, all published in June 2026. These represent a mix of holiday material and narrative-driven pieces suited to the grade 2 through 3.5 range.

Brian Balmages has built a reputation spanning orchestral, band, and chamber music, with performances in major venues from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. His work for strings emphasizes accessibility without sacrificing musicality, making his catalog valuable for programs at every level. Chris M. Bernotas brings 25 years of music education experience and currently serves as Director of Instrumental Publications for Alfred Music, positioning him at the center of how school orchestra repertoire gets developed. His compositions are known for emotional depth and engagement, qualities that translate across everything from beginner ensembles to advanced groups. Michael Hopkins teaches string techniques and orchestra methods at the University of Michigan while maintaining an active conducting schedule. His compositional voice draws from years directing orchestras at multiple levels, and his Symphony No. 4, Second Movement has become a staple in the grade 4 repertoire. Katie O'Hara LaBrie spent 15 years teaching orchestra in Virginia's public schools before turning to full-time composition and conducting. Her work carries the clarity and pedagogical insight of someone who knows precisely what students need to play in order to grow, and her recent addition Spirit of Noel continues that tradition.