Belwin Beginning String Orchestra Kit #2: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Bob Cerulli's curation here is sharp. He's selected five pieces that each demonstrate a different musical color without overwhelming young players or requiring extended rehearsal time. The fact that you can program them as a complete concert or cherry-pick makes this collection genuinely flexible for your actual schedule constraints.

Five minutes of musical storytelling that range from contemplative to spirited. Rebikoff's pieces breathe easily; there's breathing room for young musicians to settle into the music rather than constantly chasing it.

Beginning string orchestras that need a complete, concert-ready program without spending weeks on each piece. This kit works equally well for directors building a festival program or wanting a polished performance before winter break.

• Establish the character of each piece in the opening rehearsals rather than waiting until the week before the concert. Five distinct works need five distinct approaches, and early clarity prevents last-minute scrambling.
• Balance the string sections carefully in the first and second pieces; thinner voicing in Grade 2 writing shows intonation problems immediately, so section tuning happens faster than you'd expect.
• Use the conductor score to mark which parts double the melody in each arrangement. Young string players solidify ensemble awareness when they understand who carries the line and when.
• Record a rehearsal early in your preparation cycle. Hearing themselves with fresh ears shifts how students approach their individual rhythmic accuracy, especially in the transition passages.

Structure a full concert around all five selections, or pair two or three with other Grade 2 repertoire for variety of style and era. The collection works especially well mid-season when your orchestra has enough cohesion to handle multiple distinct works without losing ensemble focus.

• Sustaining long phrases with controlled bow pressure across five different musical contexts
• Recognizing and executing style shifts between Baroque, Romantic, and character pieces
• Reading multiple time signatures and rhythmic patterns without losing ensemble alignment
• Balancing melody and accompaniment within fuller orchestral textures
• Responding to subtle dynamic changes that shape phrasing rather than relying on sudden shifts