A Very Viola Christmas: Violin Educational Pack
Viola Section Feature (Featuring: Ding Dong Merrily on High / Deck the Halls / The First Noel / We Wish You a Merry Christmas)
Traditional / arr. Bob Phillips
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PC-0016914_VN_EDPAK
$5.99
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Description
Showcase your violas! This piece will make them sound great! Featuring "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Deck the Halls," "The First Noel," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," it remains in 1st position mainly on the upper strings of the viola. Arranged by Bob Phillips. Correlated with Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 1, Level 5. (2:30)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Very Viola Christmas: Violin Educational Pack 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:
Sound Innovations for String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
96
SKU:
00-PC-0016914_VN_EDPAK
More about this title
About the Arranger: Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips has shaped string education through five decades of composition, arrangement, and pedagogy. His career spans the development of 25+ instructional series, including all six levels of Sound Innovations, plus genre-expanding collections like Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, and Mariachi Philharmonic. Over 200 of his works have been published for orchestra and band, and as an ASCAP-award-winning composer, his pieces are performed annually by thousands of students across the country.
For 27 years, Phillips built the Saline, Michigan string program into a national model of excellence, growing it to over 700 students performing in both classical and eclectic styles. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, which gained international recognition through 80+ annual performances, including multiple appearances at the White House and the Midwest Clinic. As a conductor, he has led all-state orchestras, youth ensembles, and honors groups across the nation, and served as resident conductor and arranger for Seattle's Wintergrass Festival.
Why we love this
Phillips understands what makes violas shine in ensemble settings, and this arrangement puts them front and center through accessible, singable writing that stays in familiar territory. The four carols work together to create a satisfying winter concert showcase without overextending young violists, and the correlated Sound Innovations level means your orchestra can play this alongside their regular repertoire with confidence.
What to expect
A warm, familiar collection of carols arranged with clarity and joy. These melodies feel natural under the hand, moving gently through first position while the harmonies support them with gentle color; the overall effect is festive without being fussy.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 2 level who want a focused celebration piece that highlights violas without overshadowing the ensemble. It works especially well for groups using Sound Innovations Book 1 who are ready to perform repertoire that mirrors their method-book level.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the viola voices by asking upper strings to play with presence on their parts; the violas will naturally carry the melody when supported by well-shaped accompaniment from violins and cellos.
- Establish clear phrasing within each carol so the medley flows as a unified suite rather than four separate pieces; use slight tempo adjustments between carols to maintain interest.
- Emphasize the first-position fingerings in sectional rehearsals to build confidence among violists who may be newer to ensemble playing, then focus attention on musical shape rather than mechanics.
How to use it
Program this as a standalone set for a winter concert's lighter moment, or use it to close a holiday performance on an uplifting note. The 2:30 length makes it ideal for filling out a program between more substantial works.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining melodic lines across an entire carol
- First-position viola reading with confidence
- Balancing individual voices within a section feature
- Ensemble blend when carrying primary melody