Great Movie Instrumental Solos for Strings: Viola Book, CD & Instrumental Part

Cinematic and immersive. You're not playing a viola solo in isolation—you're performing music that already lives in millions of listeners' ears, which transforms the experience into something closer to storytelling than technical display.

Viola players in middle school through early high school who want to perform recognizable, rewarding melodies in a low-pressure context. This book works equally well for ensemble rehearsal or private studio work with students building confidence on their instrument.

• Lean into the character of each film's score. The Imperial March demands a darker, more aggressive tone than Wonka's Welcome Song, which should feel whimsical and lighter.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor your intonation, especially in pieces like The Notebook where you're often the sole melodic voice over sustained harmonies.
• Pay attention to dynamic shaping within phrases rather than playing at a single volume level. Film music relies on subtle swells to create drama and keep audiences engaged.

Slot these into a spring or end-of-year concert when you want to showcase string soloists with material that excites audiences. The film connection also works well for an evening themed around popular culture or as a bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire in your concert arc.

• Playing sustained, expressive melodic lines over accompaniment
• Maintaining intonation while listening to recorded harmonies
• Shaping phrases with dynamic contrast and rubato
• Interpreting character and mood through string tone production
• Managing tempo consistency across longer pieces