Angel City: 1st Violin
By Soon Hee Newbold
Grade: 2.5-3
Item: 00-PC-0019597_VN1
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Description
Explore the Spanish and Mexican origins of Los Angeles with this incredible work for string orchestra by Soon Hee Newbold. Passion, drama, and excitement all combine in Angel City, a mature sounding piece that is also accessible to less advanced groups. A separate version is available for full orchestra, making this even more accessible. (4:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Angel City: 1st Violin 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:
MakeMusic Intermediate Strings
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PC-0019597_VN1
More about this title
About the Composer: Soon Hee Newbold
Soon Hee Newbold built her compositional voice through a lifetime of musical immersion across continents. Beginning piano at five and violin at seven, she performed as a concert artist internationally before establishing herself as a composer whose work bridges cultural traditions. Her scores appear regularly on stages ranging from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, performed by ensembles at every level from elementary groups to professional symphonies.
Newbold's approach to composition is rooted in her travels and lived experience across cultures. She has guest conducted and collaborated with orchestras throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia, deepening her understanding of diverse musical traditions. Her work also extends into film scoring in Hollywood, where her compositions continue to reach audiences worldwide. She is frequently invited as a keynote speaker and clinician, sharing her perspective on culturally informed music making with educators and students.
Why we love this
Angel City captures genuine passion without sacrificing accessibility, delivering the kind of dramatic arc that keeps student musicians engaged and audience members on their feet. Newbold's integration of Spanish and Mexican musical idioms feels organic rather than surface-level, giving your ensemble a legitimate connection to the cultural history embedded in the score. At Grade 2.5-3, this sits in that ideal range where groups can sound and feel mature while building confidence rather than frustration.
What to expect
Angel City radiates warmth and vitality, drawing on the passionate character of Spanish and Mexican musical traditions while remaining rooted in string writing that feels natural to ensemble players. The piece moves with dramatic urgency and lyrical depth, creating moments of genuine excitement alongside reflective passages that reward careful listening.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level looking for programming that combines sophistication with accessibility. This work suits groups preparing for contests and festivals, as well as ensembles ready to explore multicultural repertoire with cultural authenticity.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the phrasing across sections. String players will naturally want to rush the rhythmic excitement in the fastest passages; work on holding the ensemble together through strategic breathing points and a steady preparatory gesture.
- Highlight the Latin percussion elements in your mind even if your string orchestra doesn't include them. This mental framework helps the ensemble understand the underlying rhythmic pulse that drives the piece.
- Shape dynamics with intention around the dramatic peaks. The piece builds to several climactic moments; avoid plateauing by tapering slightly before each swell and releasing weight as you move toward the next phrase.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a concert exploring Los Angeles history or cultural traditions more broadly. It pairs well alongside other Latin or multicultural works, and its four-minute length makes it an effective piece for festival competition or a concert that balances classics with newer repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing and dynamic shaping across longer musical lines
- Ensemble balance and section independence within a cohesive texture
- Stylistic awareness of Latin and Spanish musical idioms
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated and driving passages
- Sustained tone quality and vibrato control in legato sections