A Keltic Feast: Viola
By Richard Meyer
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0014499_VA1
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Description
This Irish tour-de-force runs the gamut of emotions. An aggressively rustic opening makes way for a joyful and catchy original jig in the style of Holst's "Dargason." A flowing, legato setting of the beautiful folk tune "Sheebeg and Sheemore" follows, introduced by the violas. The jig returns, and is soon combined with the folk tune, creating a delightful contrapuntal conversation between low and high strings, ending with an exciting flourish. A challenge for every section of your string orchestra, and a perfect selection for your next contest or festival! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Keltic Feast: Viola comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PC-0014499_VA1
More about this title
About the Composer: Richard Meyer
Richard Meyer brings three and a half decades of string teaching experience to his work as a composer and conductor. He spent 22 years building the orchestra program at Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City, California, expanding it from 29 students to 200, while simultaneously overseeing the city's elementary string curriculum. His "Giving Bach" program, launched in 2009, has earned national recognition for its innovative use of interactive concerts to reach special needs and underserved student populations throughout Southern California.
Beyond the classroom, Meyer has conducted the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra for 16 years, leading performances across North America, Europe, and Australia. He has clinicked at the A.S.T.A. National Conference, the Texas Orchestra Directors' Association Conference, and string workshops at Ohio State University and other regional conferences. As a composer, Meyer has published over 190 works and arrangements; he also served 16 years as string editor for Alfred Publishing Company and co-authored the String Explorer Series and Sight-read It for Strings method resources.
Why we love this
Meyer orchestrates a genuine emotional arc here, moving from raw rustic energy into genuine melody without ever feeling sentimental. The contrapuntal combination of the original jig and the folk tune in the final section gives every section a moment of real musical responsibility, making this a working piece rather than a showpiece.
What to expect
The piece captures the spirit of an Irish celebration in full swing. After the boisterous opening, the original jig bounces with infectious charm, then the viola-led folk tune brings you into quieter, more reflective territory. When the two ideas intertwine near the end, the energy builds toward a satisfying, exhilarating close.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate and early advanced levels who are ready to handle contrasting textures and independent melodic lines. Directors seeking a contest or festival piece that demands musicality and sectional balance without requiring virtuosic technique.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the rustic opening with clear rhythmic confidence; the aggressive character depends on articulation and attack rather than volume alone.
- Balance the jig's melody generously when violas introduce the folk tune so the legato setting lands with full impact.
- In the contrapuntal section, rehearse low and high strings separately first so each line retains its independence before combining.
- Shape the final flourish with unified bow direction across all sections to maximize the excitement of the conclusion.
How to use it
This works brilliantly as a festival or contest selection where adjudicators value contrasting musical sections and balanced orchestration. It also serves as an excellent mid-year concert piece that gives younger orchestras experience with folk-style material while demanding genuine musicality from every part.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing independent melodic lines in contrapuntal writing
- Shifting between aggressive articulation and legato playing
- Responding to folk music idioms and Irish rhythmic styles
- Reading and executing parts that call for equal musical weight across sections
- Sustaining ensemble cohesion across contrasting emotional sections