Dancing Kites: String Orchestra Conductor Score

Grade 2 pieces rarely offer this combination of musical substance and student appeal. Bernotas writes a melody that singers and players genuinely want to perform, then supports it with harmonies that sound richer and more sophisticated than the grade level suggests. Your orchestra will experience authentic lyrical playing without the technical barriers that often prevent young string players from accessing beautiful music.

Imagine watching kites drift lazily across a summer sky, tethered but free, moving with the wind's subtle shifts. The piece floats rather than propels, with a warm, accessible melody that feels singable and a harmonic landscape that unfolds gently beneath it. It invites listening rather than demanding attention.

String orchestras at the Grade 2 level who are ready to move beyond rhythmic or technical challenges and explore expressive playing. This piece works well for ensembles that have solid intonation, secure bow control, and enough musical maturity to sustain a lyrical line without constant direction.

• Shape the melodic line with gentle dynamic swells rather than pushing for volume; young players often associate lyricism with playing softly, but the real challenge is sustaining tone quality through light crescendos and diminuendos.
• Let vibrato emerge naturally where it serves the phrase, particularly in sustained passages. Avoid requiring it everywhere; selective use at Grade 2 teaches discernment.
• Balance the inner voices so the harmonies register without drowning the melody. This demands focused listening from your middle and lower sections during rehearsal.
• Use the two-minute length as an opportunity to perform with concert-hall pacing; resist the urge to rush, even as confidence builds.

This works beautifully as a solo concert piece or as a lyrical anchor in a program built around varied moods. You might pair it with something more energetic to create program contrast, or use it as a festival piece where its musicality and accessible difficulty level allow you to focus on performance quality rather than technical survival. At two minutes, it's also ideal for chamber performances or demonstrations of string tone and phrasing.

• Sustaining tone in a lyrical style across multiple phrases
• Listening to and balancing harmony parts independently
• Dynamic shaping within a narrow dynamic range
• Intonation precision in sustained passages
• Performing with musical intent rather than technical execution