Fiddlers Philharmonic Encore!: Viola Book & CD

This collection captures the spirit of folk fiddling without requiring your entire orchestra to learn unfamiliar techniques or stylistic conventions. The dual-format approach (solo line followed by accessible three-part arrangement) means every player from beginner to intermediate can participate meaningfully, and the chord symbols invite guitarists or mandolinists to join, creating a genuinely cross-instrumental ensemble experience that feels collaborative rather than hierarchical.

These fiddle tunes carry the warmth and directness of living tradition, with melodies that sing rather than show off. Playing them feels immediate and purposeful; you're not decoding complex structures but rather inhabiting music that has traveled through generations, bringing a sense of ensemble joy that formal orchestral repertoire sometimes lacks.

Violists in developing string orchestras and community ensembles who want to experience the energy of folk music without stepping outside the standard orchestra instrumentation. This book works equally well for school orchestras seeking accessible concert repertoire and for adult or community ensembles looking to broaden their stylistic range beyond classical and contemporary concert music.

• Emphasize the rhythmic swing and lift natural to fiddle style; these aren't classical baroque ornaments but rather the folk phrasing and subtle rubato that come from the tune's cultural roots.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock into the rhythmic feel and harmonic grounding before rehearsing the three-part voicing, especially if your ensemble is unfamiliar with folk idioms.
• Encourage vibrato choices that reflect the tune's character: narrower and more sparing for austere traditional melodies, wider and more vocal for dancing tunes.
• Invite chord-symbol readers (guitar, mandolin, or piano) into rehearsals early so the ensemble learns to listen around the viola line rather than relying on a thick harmonic foundation.

Feature this collection on a "Strings Around the World" concert that celebrates folk traditions from multiple cultures, or use it as an accessible opener to warm up an audience before transitioning to more formal repertoire. The solo format allows individual violists to step forward for a feature moment, making it ideal for concerts that aim to highlight emerging soloists or give players ownership of the program.

• Folk phrasing and swing rhythm distinct from classical articulation
• Reading chord symbols and understanding harmonic function in traditional contexts
• Three-part string harmony in open, folk-influenced voicings
• Improvisation over chord changes (especially with added instruments)
• Cross-cultural listening and stylistic flexibility