A Lithuanian Nocturne: Score
Traditional / arr. Richard Meyer
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PR-0005159
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Description
Develop your orchestra's legato playing skills with this lovely folk song. The interesting orchestration helps showcase a very mature sound and every section shares the melody. A perfect "second piece" for contest or festival. (3:20)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Lithuanian Nocturne: Score 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 Explorer
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
130
SKU:
00-PR-0005159
More about this title
About the Arranger: Richard Meyer
Richard Meyer spent 35 years teaching strings across elementary, middle, and high school levels in California public schools. He directed orchestras at Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City for 22 years, expanding the program from 29 to 200 students while overseeing the city's elementary string curriculum. His "Giving Bach" initiative, launched in 2009, brought interactive concerts to underserved communities and earned national recognition for its work with special needs and inner-city students.
Beyond the classroom, Meyer has guest-conducted All-State and Honor Orchestras in multiple states and served as music director of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra for 16 years, leading performances across New York, Washington D.C., Vienna, Australia, and Canada. A prolific composer and arranger with over 190 published works, he served as string editor for Alfred Publishing and co-authored the String Explorer Series and Sight-read It for Strings. He has been a featured clinician at the A.S.T.A. National Conference, Texas Orchestra Directors' Association Conference, and string workshops at Ohio State University and other regional venues.
Why we love this
Meyer's arrangement transforms a traditional folk melody into a piece where legato playing becomes the central musical goal rather than an incidental skill. Every section carries the tune at some point, which keeps players engaged and invested in tone quality across the full orchestra. The orchestration sits right at Grade 2.5, making it accessible enough for developing ensembles yet sophisticated enough to impress at festival or contest.
What to expect
Quiet and introspective, with the gentle quality of a folk melody heard at twilight. The passing of the main line through different sections creates a conversational texture, as if voices are sharing a story. Sustained harmonies and lyrical phrasing invite players to listen deeply to each other and shape something with real musical maturity.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate to early high school level who are ready to move beyond unison playing and want a piece that rewards careful attention to tone quality. Directors preparing for festival or contest will find this a compelling choice that develops legato technique without requiring advanced technical facility.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape each phrase with a clear arc, especially where the melody transfers between sections. Conductors should cue entrances generously to help students hear who holds the line.
- Record a rehearsal and listen back for consistency in vibrato and bow speed across sections. Legato playing reveals uneven tone production immediately.
- Balance inner voices carefully so sustained harmonies support the melody without drowning it. Adjust section volumes in early rehearsals so players understand their role in the texture.
- Work the sustained notes as a separate skill. Have students practice long tones in unison before tackling the full arrangement to build confidence with breath support and vibrato control.
How to use it
Program this as a second piece on a concert where a brisker opening work has warmed up the ensemble. The 3:20 duration and contest-ready polish make it an excellent choice for festivals and competitions, and its transparent orchestration allows it to stand effectively in smaller concert settings. Consider pairing it with one rhythmically active piece to give audiences variety in tempo and energy.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining legato tone across multiple measures
- Transferring focus and listening when melody moves to another section
- Balancing part independence with ensemble blend
- Maintaining consistent vibrato and intonation in sustained harmonies
- Shaping musical phrases with dynamic shape rather than surface-level technique