A Song for Adra: Cello
By Brendan McBrien
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PC-0015540_VC1
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Description
With the same sparkle and energy of its predecessor, "Adra's Dance," this new companion piece adds a touch of maturity as Adra's creator, the composer's daughter, has grown into a young lady. Celebrate where we are, where we're going, and how thankful we are to have this one life to live, love, and grow as your students and audiences enjoy the optimism and joy in this music.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Song for Adra: Cello 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-0015540_VC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brendan McBrien
Brendan McBrien's musical foundation began on French horn in his Sunnyvale, California elementary school classroom and deepened through undergraduate and graduate studies in composition and conducting at California State University, Long Beach. His thirty-year career as a professional French horn player in Los Angeles and Orange County orchestras—performing for symphony, television, and film productions—informed his compositional voice and his understanding of what works for student ensembles.
As director of bands and orchestras at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School since 1988, McBrien brings classroom experience directly into his prolific catalog of works published by Alfred, Kendor, Kjos, and Wingert-Jones. His contributions to music education extend beyond composition: he serves as an active clinician and adjudicator, teaches music arranging at his alma mater, and has shaped the field through his leadership on the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association board. His works are performed by student ensembles worldwide.
Why we love this
McBrien writes with the insight of someone who has lived inside the orchestra rehearsal for decades, and it shows in every gesture. This piece captures genuine joy without sacrificing musical substance, giving your students real parts that sound like an ensemble while remaining accessible at the 2.5 grade level. The companion pairing to "Adra's Dance" creates a natural programming opportunity that feels personal and earned rather than formulaic.
What to expect
This music radiates warmth and forward momentum, grounded in sincere affection rather than saccharine sentimentality. There's a sense of reflection woven through the brightness—moments that invite listeners to consider the passage of time and the simple gratitude of being alive—while maintaining an infectious, youthful energy that keeps everything dancing forward.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the upper grade 2 and grade 3 level, especially those seeking celebratory concert and festival repertoire with musical depth. Directors programming alongside "Adra's Dance" or building a thematic concert around growth, gratitude, and optimism will find this a natural fit for middle school students ready to explore beyond basic technique.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the energy with dynamic control rather than tempo manipulation; the sparkle comes from crisp articulation and clear phrase contours, not rushing ahead.
- Balance the string sections so melody and accompaniment remain distinct even when textures thicken; this transparency keeps the optimism of the writing audible.
- Let rubato serve the emotional arc: slight breathing room at phrase endings and early arrivals on important harmonic moments will deepen the piece's maturity without losing its natural flow.
How to use it
Program this as the centerpiece of a concert celebrating milestones, seasons, or ensemble growth; its thematic connection to personal development makes it especially fitting for spring concerts or honor group showcases. Pairing it with "Adra's Dance" creates a touching narrative arc that audiences will recognize and remember, turning two pieces into a single memorable statement.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining warm, connected tone through lyrical passages
- Balancing ensemble texture with clear part definition
- Shaping phrases with dynamic control and breath placement
- Executing articulation clarity at moderate tempos
- Responding to emotional direction and nuanced interpretation