Dance of the Trolls: Violin 1
Dance of the Trolls: Violin 1 Sheet Music Preview

Dance of the Trolls: Violin 1

By Mike Forbes

Grade: 4.5

Item: 98-PC-DST6343_VN1
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Description
Explore this fun and colorful work that depicts the mysterious trolls of Mount Horeb (Wisconsin) coming out at night to dance in the streets. Written as a dark, magical waltz, the music moves through a whirlwind of moods before settling into a haunting and slow lyrical section. The dance then begins once more as the music moves into an energetic and fiery ending complete with a surprising twist. A colorful work that will be a huge hit with students!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Dance of the Trolls: Violin 1 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: FJH String Orchestra
Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU: 98-PC-DST6343_VN1

More about this title

Why we love this

Forbes crafts a narrative arc that keeps players and audiences engaged from the first mysterious entrance through the fiery finale. The piece balances accessibility with genuine compositional craft, offering intermediate orchestras a work with real character development rather than mere novelty.

What to expect

A theatrical journey through a magical night with creatures both mischievous and mysterious. The music captures a sense of wonder tinged with darkness, moving from haunting whispers to exuberant dancing, with an unexpected final moment that rewards attentive listeners.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the Grade 4.5 level seeking a concert piece with personality, humor, and genuine musical substance. This work appeals to ensembles that want to program something students will enjoy playing and audiences will remember.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the dark, magical quality of the opening waltz through deliberate rhythmic precision and atmospheric string tone. Don't rush the mysterious passages.
  • Shape the dynamic contrasts between the whirlwind mood shifts and the haunting lyrical section distinctly. Each section needs a different expressive color.
  • Build momentum steadily into the energetic and fiery ending. The surprise twist at the conclusion lands harder when the energy preceding it feels relentless.
  • Bring out the dialogue between sections of the orchestra during the various mood changes. Balance solo voices against the full ensemble texture.

How to use it

Place this in the middle section of a concert where it can serve as a tonal and emotional counterpoint to more traditional works. It works equally well as a festival entry or as a centerpiece that reveals your orchestra's versatility in contemporary light concert repertoire.

Skills your students will build

  • Executing mood shifts and dramatic contrast through articulation and dynamic control
  • Sustaining lyrical phrasing within a waltz rhythm
  • Maintaining rhythmic precision during rapid textural changes
  • Responding to choreographed ensemble balance between melody and accompaniment

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