Flex-Ability: Classics: Viola Book

López's arrangements transform classical masterworks into contemporary styles (rock, jazz, swing) that genuinely excite young players. Each piece retains harmonic substance while remaining playable at levels 1 through 3, so your strongest violists stay engaged while newer players build confidence alongside them.

Familiarity meets freshness. You recognize Ode to Joy and the Barber of Seville overture instantly, but hearing them in a swing feel or contemporary rock groove gives them new energy. The viola sits comfortably in each arrangement, neither buried nor stretched beyond reach.

Viola students at early to intermediate levels (1-3) who benefit from playing with students of mixed abilities. These arrangements work equally well for sectional coaching, chamber groups, or full ensemble settings where you want classical repertoire but need flexibility in instrumentation and skill level.

• Establish a steady tempo before rehearsal and use the recorded accompaniment (available separately) to lock the groove, especially in the jazz and swing arrangements where rhythmic pocket matters more than in the original classical versions.
• Balance the viola line against any woodwinds or brass doubling the melody; violas often carry inner harmony or countermelody here, so clarity of your section's notes affects the overall blend.
• Take time with composer biographies and program notes before rehearsing; knowing that you're playing Rossini's Barber of Seville or Dvořák's New World themes reconnects these arrangements to their classical roots and gives students interpretive context.

Program a Flex-Ability set as a standalone feature concert or as a concert opener that showcases classical themes across different genres. The variety of styles and recognizable titles also make these pieces ideal for outreach performances, pep band events, or informal recitals where you want to engage a general audience.

• Reading and performing in multiple contemporary styles (rock, jazz, swing) applied to classical themes
• Adjusting tone and articulation across genre-specific contexts
• Playing in flexible ensembles with musicians of varying levels
• Understanding connection between classical masterworks and contemporary musical language