Falling Snow: 1st Percussion
By Christopher Alan Schmitz
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PC-0019490_PC1
$3.00
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Description
This title features Alfred Music's String Orchestra FLEX options. That means that every part in this set is now transposed into every other part, so you can play this title with any combination of like- or mixed-string ensemble. After purchasing this set, decide what additional parts you need to meet the unique needs of your ensemble, then download and print them for free at alfred.com/supplemental---free of charge.
Falling Snow, by Christopher Alan Schmitz, reveals the magic of a first winter snowfall! Lyrical melodies pass from high to low strings, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the themes and accompaniment. Light pizzicato moments contrast with full arco statements, and the middle section provides an exciting harmonic adventure. When the main theme returns, it features a canon that culminates in a powerful ending. Add the optional percussion parts for dramatic holiday flair! (3:00)
Falling Snow, by Christopher Alan Schmitz, reveals the magic of a first winter snowfall! Lyrical melodies pass from high to low strings, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the themes and accompaniment. Light pizzicato moments contrast with full arco statements, and the middle section provides an exciting harmonic adventure. When the main theme returns, it features a canon that culminates in a powerful ending. Add the optional percussion parts for dramatic holiday flair! (3:00)
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Additional Details
Series:
Highland String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0019490_PC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Christopher Alan Schmitz
Christopher Alan Schmitz writes music across solo, chamber, and ensemble settings that critics have praised for orchestration and emotional range. His works have been performed by ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra and the USAF Airmen of Note, in venues from Carnegie Hall to Denali National Park. He has received honors from the Alabama Orchestra Association, the American Prize in Composition, and the Music Teacher's National Association.
Schmitz holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin and serves as Professor of Music Theory and Composition at Mercer University. His educational compositions appear regularly in school concert programs at all levels, and his music is published by Alfred Music, Theodore Presser affiliates, and several independent labels including Navona and Ravello.
Why we love this
The FLEX instrumentation system removes the scheduling puzzle from holiday programming. Every string player gets a moment with the melody, which means rehearsals move faster and students stay engaged because they're not locked into accompaniment parts all season.
What to expect
Schmitz captures the quiet beauty of snow falling steadily through the air, then lets the ensemble build toward something more dramatic and urgent. The piece moves from intimate to exuberant without losing its winter atmosphere, creating a narrative arc that feels both reflective and celebratory.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 2 level will find this accessible yet musically substantial. The FLEX system makes it ideal for programs with mixed ability levels or inconsistent instrumentation from year to year.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the pizzicato sections by keeping them delicate and rhythmically precise; these passages provide textural contrast, so resist the urge to match the volume of the arco statements.
- Shape the canon at the return of the main theme with careful attention to voice independence; each line should be heard clearly rather than blending into the harmonic texture.
- Consider the optional percussion parts as more than decoration. They anchor the harmonic adventure in the middle section and intensify the final statement, so rehearse them separately first.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a mid-concert piece in a holiday program, offering lyrical contrast to more energetic selections. Its three-minute length and optional percussion parts also make it a flexible choice for pops concerts or winter assemblies where you need accessible but polished string writing.
Skills your students will build
- Passing melody lines between registers (tracking thematic material across the ensemble)
- Light pizzicato articulation with rhythmic precision
- Harmonic awareness in the middle section modulations
- Canon part singing (maintaining independence in the final main theme statement)
- Dynamic contrast between accompaniment and solo material
- Flexible part assignment using FLEX instrumentation options