Highland/Etling String Quartet Series: Set 2: 2nd Violin
Arr. Merle J. Isaac
Item: 00-PC-0000074_VN2
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Description
A four volume collection of arrangements from grade 3 string quartets. Contains music from the Baroque and Classical eras as well as folk melodies and Christmas carols. A great way to introduce young string players to chamber music playing. Titles: Andante and Allegro, Mozart * Brandenburg Concerto, No. 5, Bach * Fascination, Marchetti * Hopak, Mussorgsky * Hunter's Chorus, von Weber * Serenade, Toselli * To A Wild Rose MacDowell * Concerto in E Minor, Avinson * To South America Songs. A Federation Festivals 2020-2024 selection.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Highland/Etling String Quartet Series: Set 2: 2nd Violin comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Highland/Etling String Quartet Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
60
SKU:
00-PC-0000074_VN2
More about this title
Why we love this
Merle Isaac's arrangements respect the integrity of each original work while keeping the writing accessible for young players. The mix of canonical Baroque and Classical pieces alongside character works and folk melodies gives students real chamber literature to play, not exercises dressed as music. This set earns its Federation Festivals selection because the voicing is idiomatic to strings without oversimplifying the composers' intentions.
What to expect
Opening with Mozart and Bach establishes classical elegance, while pieces like Hopak and Hunter's Chorus bring rhythmic energy and folk character into the room. The Christmas carols and character miniatures create moments of intimacy, reminding players that chamber music can be as direct and moving as it is refined. Together, the collection spans from architectural beauty to exuberant storytelling.
Who it's for
String quartets at the grade 3 level who are ready to explore repertoire beyond unison arrangements. Students in their second or third year of ensemble playing will find pieces that challenge their intonation and ensemble listening without requiring advanced technique. This set works equally well for middle school quartets and private studio groups preparing for competitions.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the first violin line with the ensemble rather than letting it soar above; the arrangement sits best when all voices blend as equal partners.
- Establish consistent vibrato across the section before the first rehearsal, so tone blends naturally in passages where parts move together.
- Mark bowings collaboratively during the first read-through rather than imposing a single bowing plan; young players own the music better when they help shape it.
- Take the Mussorgsky and von Weber pieces at a tempo that lets each player speak clearly; rushing these works muddies the character writing.
How to use it
Build a chamber music concert around this set, programming three or four pieces from the collection to show range without exhausting the group. These pieces work well as part of a larger festival or competition program where variety and proven repertoire strengthen a quartet's presentation. Assign individual movements or shorter pieces to quartets at different skill levels within your program, since the set spans multiple styles and technical demands.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing independent melodic lines while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Intonation in chamber music voicing, particularly in sustained harmonies
- Reading and interpreting Baroque phrasing and articulation in transcribed works
- Character playing across contrasting styles (lyrical, dance, dramatic)
- Communication without a conductor in ensemble settings