Orchestra New Releases

Teachers keep coming back to Elf by John Debney (Grade 2.5) and Lover Girl by Laufey (Grade 3), both widely adopted for their accessibility and student appeal. Bolero for Strings by Maurice Ravel (Grade 4.5) and Ancient Kingdom by Joshua Reznicow (Grade 3.5) anchor the collection for intermediate and advancing orchestras. Holiday Bows by Allison Buettner pairs seasonal repertoire with technical development in bowing techniques at Grade 2.

Brian Balmages added The Gift of Giving, while Michael Hopkins contributed Alpine Adventure and Katie O'Hara LaBrie brought Spirit of Noel. Tyler S. Grant's The Great Reindeer Race and a new edition of Cécile Chaminade's In the Moorland also arrived recently.

Brian Balmages works across orchestral, band, and chamber idioms with music performed from elementary schools to Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. His compositional voice balances accessibility with substance, making his work functional for developing ensembles without sacrificing musicality.

Chris M. Bernotas brings 25 years of music education experience and currently directs instrumental publications for Alfred Music. His compositions are known for emotional depth and clarity, qualities that make them work for both beginning students and accomplished groups seeking engaging material.

Katie O'Hara LaBrie spent 15 years teaching orchestra in Fairfax County, Virginia before becoming a full-time composer and conductor. Her educational background and classroom experience inform her approach to writing for young orchestras, ensuring her pieces serve both musical and pedagogical goals.

Richard Meyer directed orchestras for 35 years at the middle and high school level, including growing a program from 29 to 200 students. His decades in the classroom shaped how he writes for student ensembles, with an eye toward both technical development and musical satisfaction.